having second thoughts?” he asked and kissed her forehead as soon as she shook her head in answer.
“Well, then let’s go.” Jules cleared her throat and nudged past them with Ron in tow.
It’s showtime! Holly thought.
The house was small, and it looked rundown and a little creepy. A few crates lay around a small wooden coffee table as makeshift chairs. The bare walls had cracks in them, and the room was dusty and in need of a good paint job.
“Who do we have here?” A stranger asked.
“This is Jules, Holly, and I’m sure you remember his ugly mug.” Edgar laughed after Ron flipped him the finger. Edgar pulled Holly toward a small red two-seater couch she had failed to see during her initial observation of the living room. Jules and Ron each pulled up a crate and got comfortable beside them. “Ladies, this here is Adam, and he’ll be hooking us up this fine evening.” Edgar pointed toward their new friend and back again.
Adam was tall and a little on the husky side with wide, broad shoulders—a football player type of build, really. He seemed at ease and confident, yet aware and on alert in his surroundings. “Shall I bring out the good stuff, then?” he asked.
“That depends on what the good stuff is.” Holly cleared her throat after speaking up and blushed when Adam eyed her with interest. “I’m not into trying anything hardcore at the moment.”
“I do love the newbies, but I’m pretty sure I have just the stuff you’re looking for—on the house, of course.” Mr. Football chuckled and then winked at her before he walked by.
“Interesting.”
“Relax, Hol, that just means he’s hoping to see you again,” Edgar said, and she tried not to fidget.
About four joints later, the room spun a little. She felt light-headed and didn’t have a care in the world. Her eyes stung, and she blinked a few times, hoping it would help lubricate them against the thick smoke in the room. Holy shit! She started to giggle. “I am so messed up right now.”
“What else is new?” Jules laughed and awkwardly stumbled into Holly’s lap. “Here, have some more.” She took another toke and then passed the joint over.
“Thanks, babe, now get your bony butt off me.”
“Is it just me or did anyone else think that was hot?” Ron licked his lips and watched his girlfriend crawl back beside him.
“Oh shut up, you pervert, and give me some sugar.”
Holly nearly coughed up a lung after the next round and gave Edgar a turn.
“I think I’m really liking these girls.” Adam smirked, watching Jules and Ron making out. Holly sat back in a dreamlike trance. It was surreal.
“Why don’t we roll another one?” Mr. Football suggested.
“I think I’ve had enough.” She waved him off with her hand and stared at her blurry fingers. “I am so totally screwed right now. I’m seeing triple.”
“I guess she’s out.” Edgar shrugged. “Last one for me, and then we’ll have to take care of our girls.” He leaned toward her and put his arm around her shoulders. “So I’m curious to know if this outing has worked out for you or not.”
“I think so.” She nodded. “I feel like I’m dreaming, but I’m not trapped in a bad one like usual. Thanks for helping me even if it’s only until morning.”
“You’re welcome—” Holly cut him off with her lips, and he took advantage of the opportunity by slipping her his tongue. One hand tangled in her hair while the other cupped her breast. It hadn’t lasted long before they jumped apart when someone started banging at the door.
“Who the fuck is it?” Adam bellowed and checked the peephole before opening it. “Oh, it’s you.”
“What took you so long?” The woman sounded irritated and nudged him out of the way so she could come in.
Lydia! “Oh this is not good.”
“Our party’s now over, guys, let’s go.” Seeing the alarm on Holly’s face Jules jumped up from her crate to leave.
“You’re damn right the party is over. What
The Big Rich: The Rise, Fall of the Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes