Page 209 of Redeemed

He tilts the bag toward me. “Only one, all right?”

“Only one.” I pop it into my mouth and chew. It tastes like berries, and like lots of leaves, and… well, like the way weed smells. Once I swallow, I frown. “I don’t feel any different.”

“It’ll take a while to kick in.” He tugs me higher up his lap, glancing at the stage. “Now you’redefinitelynot leaving my side, got it?”

I don’t want to.

The third set flies by quickly, even though I’m pretty sure it’s the longest. Before I know it, people are exiting the building, and the bands are packing up their stuff. The room kind of feels like it’s spinning, and I wonder if that’s from the gummy or just from being tired.

Xander lifts me off his lap and sets me on my stool. “I’ve gotta shut down the board. Hold on for a sec.”

“Hmm?”

He chuckles. “Don’t move, doll.”

Doll.

I smile lazily. I like it when he calls me that.

“Yo, Xan, you bring those gummies?” a boy our age asks as he comes up to the booth.

“Are you driving tonight?” Xander asks.

“Yeah.”

“Then no.”

“Aw, come on, man. Don’t be that guy.”

“Always will be. Get home safe.” Xander turns away and finishes switching off the board. Once he’s done, he offers a hand to me. “I take it the gummy kicked in.”

“I… think so?”

He snorts. “Definitely, Haven.”

“Oh—oh!”

I grab onto Xander when he lifts me to my feet. I’m notsuperoff balance, but everything feels fuzzy. Cozy, almost.

“You’re okay.” Xander doesn’t let go of me. “I’ve got you.”

Something about that little phrase tugs at my brain, but I can’t remember why. For some reason, that strikes me as ridiculously funny, and I giggle.

And then I giggle some more.

And then it turns into a full-on laugh that I can’t stop, even though I can’t breathe.

“Yeah, probably should’ve waited to give it to you until we were in the car.”

That only makes me laugh harder.

“Come on, you goofball.”

Once we start moving, I regain almost all my coordination. It feels like my brain is lagging a bit, but we make it to the car just fine. When Xander reaches for the passenger door, I grab him.

“Kiss me,” I demand with a slow smile. I tilt my head, and when Xander’s lips meet mine, I grab onto his hair to hold him close to me.

With a groan, Xander slips his tongue into my mouth. Cold air gusts around us as he leans me backward with both arms wrapped around my torso. The warmth from Xander’s kiss counteracts the winter chill, and when he breaks away, I let out a soft whine.

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