Page 65 of Liar
Sawyer moved to go to his room as the others filed out. I acted like I was right behind them, but then I stopped. I’d told myself the first chance I got to make things right, I would. I wouldn’t keep waiting—if I waited, there might not be another opportunity.
So instead of following them outside, I tiptoed back to the table, figuring Sawyer would take his bottle before coming along. He did seem very out of breath, having fucked Ash so hard, and for so long. The bottle was half empty, so I doubted he’d offer it to anyone else.
I was taking a chance, but it was a chance I had to take.
I reached into my pocket—having prepared myself for a situation like this—and found what I was looking for. A tiny vial, something so small no one would realize anything at all was in my pocket. I’d gotten it from the same contact I bought those pills off of. I had no idea what the regular dose was, but I was going to give him the whole thing. I’d been assured it was tasteless, so…here’s hoping.
After unscrewing the cap, I quickly poured it in before stuffing the empty vial back into my pocket. Every drip from the vial poured into the water bottle, dissolving as it went. I put the cap on and moved toward the door, slipping on my shoes as quickly as I could. I had the door open, half in, half out, as Sawyer returned.
And, because I knew him a lot more than I wanted to, he did exactly as I predicted: he went to grab the water bottle before following.
You know, it was almost too easy.
Ash and the others were down the steps, standing in the wet dirt, chatting it up. The moment Sawyer and I joined them, Ash said, “All right, where to? There has to be some nature trails around here somewhere.”
“I think if we go to the lake, the trailheads will be easier to find,” Travis said, and he was right. We walked to the lake, the skies a dark, ominous grey above us. No one else was out, which lent to an eerie atmosphere. The trailhead we found after walking a good way on the lake’s shore said the trail was over two miles long.
“Do you guys think you can handle a two-mile walk?” Ash asked, grinning.
“It might be four miles roundtrip,” Declan said, shrugging. “I don’t care. We’ve been cooped up in that cabin all day, I’m just glad to get out.”
“Same,” Sawyer said—taking a huge swig from his water bottle. “Though I’m sure we can always find more fun things to do in the cabin.” His green gaze landed on Ash, and he smirked.
I said, “Let’s walk the trail.” Ash nodded in agreement with me, and together we went. All the while I kept an eye on Sawyer, watching as his water dwindled. It shouldn’t be too long now. He’d start to feel dizzy, a little lightheaded, and he’d probably want to go back to the cabin. Since Ash clearly wanted to walk, he’d offer to go back by himself.
At least, that’s what I thought would happen. When you were silent and watching, you learned how to predict people very well.
The lake became a distant memory behind us, the path under our feet mixed with mud and rocks. Everything outside smelled of rain, and with the cool breeze, I knew more rain was on its way.
Not even five minutes into the trail, Sawyer lagged behind. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him hold the side of his head. He tried to carry on, but it wasn’t too much longer before he muttered, “Guys, I’m not feeling so hot. I think I’m going to go back and…take a nap, or something.”
Everyone else stopped to stare at him, and Travis’s blue gaze moved to Ash. She scoffed, “Hey, I didn’t wear him out that much, okay? So stop looking at me like that.” She lifted a finger towards Sawyer as she added, “If you brought a sickness with you…I will not be a happy camper.”
“I’m not sick,” Sawyer tried to say, looking a bit pale. “I’m just tired. You guys go on ahead. I know the way back.”
“You sure?” Declan asked, brows creased in worry.
Fuck. Somehow Sawyer even had Declan under his thumb—not something I’d allow. Glad I was going to take care of him tonight. After tonight, I wouldn’t have to worry about Sawyer interfering where he didn’t belong.
“Yeah, yeah.” Sawyer said nothing else as he turned around, waved, and walked back the way we came.
The group was silent as we picked up our pace again. I knew I couldn’t go after him right away, but I also knew I had to somehow get away before the others. Planting the seed would be the hardest part.
Luckily, Ash’s mind was on Sawyer, for she broke the group’s silence as she asked, “Should we stop and go back with him? I feel kind of bad. He was fine a little bit ago.”
I opened my mouth to suggest that they keep going, that I could instead go back and check on him, but Travis beat me to it: “I’m sure Sawyer’s fine. He’d probably be annoyed if we all went back with him. Like we’re babysitting him or something.” His azure stare roamed between Ash and Declan, finally landing on me. “One of us could go back, just to make sure he’s okay, if you’re that worried about him.”
Waiting a beat, I said, “I guess I can go.” When Ash turned that grey stare to me, I shrugged. “I’m not much of a hiker anyways.” None of us were. Everything we were doing here was only to make her happy.
“Are you sure?” Ash asked, probably because she knew Sawyer wasn’t my favorite guy.
I nodded. “I’m sure.” I moved toward her, placing a chaste kiss on her cheek. “It’s no problem.” Anyone with ears would believe the lies I told; I was getting better at them, not to toot my own horn.
The smile I wore did not fade until they were gone, until I was alone. Once I was surrounded by nature, I let myself pick up the pace. I didn’t outright run, just in case someone did see me—because a guy running in the woods by himself seemed kind of fishy; Beacon Hills was not the place you went to for a nightly jog.
It was a damned good thing I was the one who went back, because at the base of the steps leading up to the cabin, I spotted Sawyer, collapsed on the ground. The water bottle rolled out of his hand, beneath the cabin, under the first step. Maybe he’d passed out while walking up the steps, or maybe he collapsed before he could reach them. Either way, I sure hoped he was alive. Otherwise, my plan wouldn’t be as spectacular.
I threw a look over my shoulder, spotting nothing but woods around me, and I hurried to pick him up.
