Page 145 of From This Moment

“I know it’s true, and it was the same for me, but I came home because I like Ryker. The drugs helped.”

“I’m sorry, if I’d known you were struggling I would have reached out.”

“No.” Ava shook her head. “I didn’t let people close, and this was something I chose to do. Lately... well, I’ve seen myself through others’ eyes, and I don’t think I like the vision.”

“Why did you start taking the drugs?”

“I got into it at law school, and then when I came here Zander and I continued.”

“Zander is using too?”

Ava realized she’d said too much. “It’s not his fault. He’s important to me, and keeps me sane, so don’t blame him. I was the one who was using before coming back to Ryker, not him. If anyone is at fault it’s me.”

Before Piper could ask any more questions they heard Buzz yowl as if in pain.

“I need to go find him, Ava. He’s probably got something in his paw.”

“I’ll come. We’re not winning anyway.”

“No, I think you should just wait here for the others to come back down.”

“Dylan said I had to stay close to you.” Ava untied the ribbon around their arms and lowered the coffee mug to the ground. “Let’s go.”

“I didn’t drug your mom, FYI.”

“I know that, and my brother does too, even though he was too stupid to figure it out right off.”

Piper made a noise that neither agreed nor disagreed and started walking.

“Buzz!” she yelled, and he barked. Pushing aside the branches, Piper went first, and made her way through the trees.

“Bloody dog,” she hissed as a branch smacked her in the face. “He’s getting straight kibble tonight!”

They found Buzz, tied to a tree with Zander bent over him.

“You found him, Zander, good job,” Ava said.

He leapt to his feet and pushed one hand behind his back.

“I t-tied him up so he d-didn’t run off.”

His voice was high and panicky. Piper watched Zander and was sure he was pushing something into his waistband. Unease slithered up her spine, an awareness that something was very wrong.

“Nice work.” Ava started for Zander, but something made Piper stick out an arm and stop her.

“What are you doing, Piper?” Ava threw her a confused look.

“What are you two doing here? I thought the run was done with?” Zander looked nervous, his eyes moving from left to right constantly.

“We’re the last, and just walking.” Ava pushed out from behind Piper’s arm.

This whole situation felt off somehow, which was weird, as Piper had known Zander for months.

“Buzz escaped, we heard him yelp, then came looking for him.” Ava dropped down beside the dog.

“Yeah, he had something stuck in his paw,” Zander said, shooting Piper a look she had no idea how to interpret.

“Poor baby.” Ava hugged Buzz. “Hey, he’s bleeding!”

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