Page 141 of Under the Influence

He stands up, pulling the suit over his boxers, following me out of the bedroom. When I get to the railing that overlooks the living area, I hear Carson’s voice and I freeze.

I knew it.

He’s standing there, in street clothes with his arms wrapped around Avery.

All the stares from down below turn my way, including Carson’s. I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn around to Nash. The Spider-Man suit, no mask.

Tears blur my vision as I stare at him. I’m speechless but not surprised. Deep down, I knew his touch was too familiar. As I turn back around, Carson’s stare meets mine, realizing what just happened. I try to swallow, but the lump in my throat is too big, my mouth is too dry. His jaw tightens, and Avery’s eyes widen with shock.

This was a fucking test.

I can’t get my feet to move, but I want to get the hell away from here. In the midst of all the chaos, Lainey climbs the stairs, standing in front of us, “Did he hurt you?”

She grabs my arm, trying to pull me away, but Nash doesn’t allow it. “Don’t touch her.”

“Don’t tell me what to do,” she sasses, pulling me towards her.

Drayton and Madden stand behind Lainey, my tears are flowing at this point.

I’m not crying because I’m sad, though. I’m crying because I’m so mad, he did this to prove a point.

Drayton steps between Nash and us, “This is low, even for you.”

Nash pulls his phone from his pocket, causing Lainey to drop my arm. “Nash, no. Don’t do this.”

“No. Go ahead,” Drayton growls. “Whatever it is doesn’t mean shit. I’m sick of you thinking you have some kind of power over me.”

Nash turns his phone in Drayton’s direction, “Let’s tell everyone at this party how perfect Drayton Lewis’ life really is. You knew about your dad’s affair, but no one else does, do they? Looks like maybe there always was trouble in paradise.”

I stare at the screen and watch as Drayton’s face falls. He pushes the phone against Nash’s chest to hide it, “Let’s talk about this somewhere else.”

“Wait,” Madden snaps. “Show me that.”

Nash and Drayton are still staring at each other, but Madden snatches the phone out of Nash’s hand.

“That’s my mom.”

Lainey stares at the screen with Madden, both of them in shock, “Drayton, what is this?” she asks.

“These are old,” Madden states. “How do you have these?”

Drayton looks at the phone, then to Madden, “My dad gave them to me.”

Lainey interrupts them, “Why Dray, why do you have pictures of your dad with Jenny Atwood?”

His eyes flash to Madden, and he falters, “Because he wasn’t just my dad.”

Madden’s eyes turn dark, his jaw tight, but Lainey is much more upset.

“You lied to me?” she questions, fully turning to Drayton.

Drayton grabs her arm, pulling her to him, but she pushes away, “No! Did you know about this when you met me?”

He hesitates a minute before speaking, “Yeah, but⁠—”

“No,” She interrupts, “This entire thing has been a lie? Just a way for you to get closer to Madden?”

Her voice is cracked and weak, and I look at Madden, who is still standing there in shock.