Slightly mature content ahead? Idk, read at your own risk lol. ALSO, DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T READ GILDED BUTTERFLIES OR THE KING OF METROPOLIS! IT WILL SPOIL THEM FOR YOU!!!!

ALSO If this book is found on any other website apart from Wattpad then it is plagiarised. You may be exposing yourself to malware and viruses on the website you are on so please make sure you read my book on Wattpad instead where it is available for free.

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!!

"Let's go home. Before you embarrass us even more."

"I'm not enjoying this judgment, Nora. I'm just having a bit of fun. Stop being so uptight."

Oliver shot his girlfriend a sharp look. She was being a massive pain in the ass. Always controlling, always hovering, like she was deliberately trying to ruin the night. All he wanted was to relax and enjoy himself with friends, and she just would not let it happen.

"Don't ever call me uptight," Nora snapped. "I'm helping you. You have work tomorrow. You shouldn't be getting high."

She had been dragging him down since the moment they arrived, complaining about every little thing he did. A bump of coke at a college party was normal. Everyone did it. Oliver couldn't understand why she was acting so horrified. That was the thing about Nora. She used to be wild in high school, reckless and fun. Now, five years later, she was cautious, reserved, and unbearably judgmental.

Maybe she just needed some of the magic dust herself.

He tried to press the bag into her hand. She immediately shoved it back at him. It hit his chest and burst open, sending powder puffing into the air. Oliver cursed as he brushed it off his shirt.

She was selfish. And he was so tired of it.

"Fine," he snapped. "Do whatever the fuck you want. I'm staying. I'm going to have fun. God, Nora, could you try acting like a normal twenty-three-year-old for once? Get off your high horse."

Before she could respond, Oliver turned and walked away. He couldn't listen to another second of her nagging. It made him feel insane, like she thought she was better than him.

The irony stung. Just hours earlier, he had been on the phone with her mother, asking for her blessing to propose. He was supposed to do it last month, but they'd had a huge fight. This time, he'd forced himself to ask, partly because he was scared he'd chicken out again.

It wasn't that he didn't want to marry Nora. They made sense together. He loved her. Five years together meant something. He couldn't imagine his future without her.

He just wished she'd let him live a little.

"Yo, Oliver!" Ivan shouted, laughing as he clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I just saw Nora storm out. What happened?"

Ivan had been a freshman when Oliver was a senior, but they hadn't really bonded until Ivan interned at Scott Corp. Despite the age gap, they clicked instantly. Ivan threw legendary parties, and Oliver always showed up.

"I don't know, man," Oliver said dismissively. "You know how she is. So dramatic."

Ivan laughed. "Damn, dude. That sucks. Come on. Let's get wasted. You'll forget about her."

Oliver was already drunk, but not nearly enough. He liked reaching the point where the world blurred, where nothing mattered anymore.

"I'm in."

They stumbled toward the drinks table. Ivan poured shots, and Oliver downed three without hesitation. Still not enough.

"This isn't doing it," Oliver shouted over the music. "Where's your dealer?"

Ivan's grin widened. "Follow me."

They stopped behind a tall guy in a loud Hawaiian shirt. Ivan tapped his shoulder.

"Yo, Charlie. Got a customer."

Charlie turned around.

Oliver froze.

"Charlie?" His mouth fell open. "Holy shit."

Charlie Kingsley. Spencer's brother. He hadn't seen him in years. He barely recognised him now. Gone was the tall, lanky kid who used to buy them alcohol. Charlie had filled out, confidence etched into the way he stood.

"Oliver!" Charlie exclaimed, grinning as he clapped him on the shoulder. "It's been forever."

"I thought you moved to Greece with Dustin."

Charlie's smile faltered. "Uh... Dustin's in jail."

"Oh. Damn. That sucks."

"Yeah. Big bust two years ago. Six years total, but he might get parole soon."

"Fingers crossed."

Ivan blinked between them. "Wait. You guys know each other?"

Charlie nodded. "Yeah, but... wait. Oliver, are you the customer?"

Oliver nodded slowly. Ivan had vanished somewhere into the crowd, leaving them alone.

Charlie hesitated. "I don't know. If Spencer finds out, I'm dead. And it's different when it's people I know."

Oliver sighed. "I just need to let loose. Work, Nora, everything. It's a one-time thing."

"You're still with Nora?"

"Five years."

Charlie thought it over, then nodded. "Alright. Just this once. Let's go upstairs. This music is terrible."

Oliver grinned and followed him. The spiral staircase made his head spin, and he stumbled more than once. Charlie kept catching him until they reached a quiet, lifeless guest room.

Charlie opened his YSL fanny pack and pulled out a small plastic bag.

"Here," he said, handing Oliver a pill.

Oliver stared at it like it was a lifeline. "You're not taking one?"

Charlie hesitated. "I never do, but... sure. Why not."

"Three... two..."

"One," Oliver said, popping it into his mouth.

Charlie followed suit, washing it down with whatever was left in his cup.

Oliver collapsed onto the bed with a long exhale. Charlie slid down to the floor, leaning back against it, vaping quietly.

"So... why do you sell?" Oliver asked, staring at the ceiling.

"Dustin didn't want to lose his clients."

"That's a huge risk."

Charlie scoffed. "What future? I'm already a fuck-up."

Oliver frowned and slid down to sit beside him. "That's not true. You just believe it is."

Charlie shrugged. "I enjoy it."

"No, you don't."

Charlie didn't respond.

"What about you?" He asked instead. "How are you really?"

Oliver laughed softly. "Honestly? Stressed. My dad keeps throwing work at me I'm not ready for. And Nora..."

"You're proposing, right?"

Oliver nodded.

"Congrats," Charlie said quietly.

"But we fight all the time," Oliver admitted. "She's always at me, giving out about the smallest things. And I... I feel this constant guilt that I can't fulfil this image she has of me. And... I kind of hate that she even has this image of me. I don't know why she can't accept me the way I am.

"She cares about you."

Oliver grimaced. "Let's not do this."

Charlie chuckled. "Fair."

"My heart's racing."

"Mine too."

A loud noise downstairs made them both jump. Charlie urgently grabbed a pillow and dropped it into his lap.

"What was that?" Oliver asked.

"Nothing."

"You're acting weird."

"No I'm not."

Oliver raised a brow. "What's up?"

Charlie winced. "Don't laugh."

Oliver crossed his heart.

"These pills affect people differently," Charlie muttered. "And I think they've... uh..."

"Spit it out."

"Igotaboner."

"What?"

He mumbled something even more incoherent back.

"I can't hear you."

"I GOT A HARD ON, OLIVER."

Oliver stared, then burst out laughing.

"Oh my god."

"Stop," Charlie snapped, mortified.

"I'm sorry," Oliver said, wiping tears from his eyes. "Your face."

Charlie turned away, gripping the pillow tighter.

"What song is this?" Oliver asked, trying to recover.

"Redbone."

Another bang made them both jump. The pillow fell. They both lunged for it at the same time. Oliver grabbed it first, laughing as Charlie tried to snatch it back.

"Give it back!"

Charlie tackled him without thinking. They froze the second Charlie landed on top of him.

Oliver's laughter faded.

Charlie hovered over him, breathing hard. Their eyes locked. Oliver's hands went weak. Charlie leaned closer.

Their lips brushed.

Then Charlie pulled away, panicked.

"Uh... yeah," Charlie laughed nervously. "That was nothing."

"What was it?" Oliver asked.

"Just the drugs."

"It wasn't bad."

Charlie stared at him.

Oliver leaned in this time.

They kissed again. Longer. Sloppier. When they pulled apart, both of them were breathless.

"It's the pills," Charlie said quickly. "They mess with your libido."

"Yeah," Oliver murmured.

It had to be the drugs.

It had to be.

♢ ♢ ♢

HEY GUYS!

Welcome to THE FINAL BOOK IN THE SERIES! I really hope it fulfils your expectations! If you haven't read any of the first three books first, please please please read them before carrying on with this book!

I can't describe how happy I am to finally be finished with this series. These books are literally my babies and I love them with all my heart. Not to toot my own horn but I'm proud of myself for getting to this point. And I definitely couldn't have gotten here if it wasn't for you loyal readers. So thank you. Thank you a million times over.

I love y'all. Have a wonderful day.

Love,
-hexed
xxx