Page 79 of Their Wicked Ways

“Talking a lot and giggling doesn’t sound too bad.” Jett stared at the joint like it was a snake ready to attack.

“It’ll also make your heart rate go up and raise your blood pressure when it’s kicking in. It can be disorienting the first time, but it’s normal and it’ll pass,” I said. “Do you still want to do it?”

He nodded.

I waited a few beats to make sure he didn’t change his mind, then put the joint between my lips and sparked the end.

“Your landlords don’t mind you doing it in the apartment?” Jett asked, his eyes on my mouth as I dragged in a deep breath, the smoke from the joint rolling around in my lungs.

“Nope.” Wes took the joint as I blew out my breath. “They’re chill as long as we air the place out and don’t burn anything.” He lifted the joint to his lips.

“You’ll probably cough,” I said as Wes inhaled. “Don’t fight it, or it’ll get worse.”

Wes handed him the joint, blowing the smoke out of the corner of his mouth.

Jett took it and awkwardly fit it between his fingers.

“Take a small puff at first, just to get used to it if you’ve never smoked anything before,” I said.

Lifting the joint, he took a minuscule drag, the cherry flaring orange and going back to ash as he blew out a tiny cloud of smoke.

“How did that feel?”

“Not bad.”

“Try taking a longer drag. Breathe in for a count of one, then hold for another count of one, then exhale.”

He did as I said.

Just as he was finishing his exhale, he started coughing.

Leaning over, I took the joint from him and drew another drag off it as he composed himself.

“Well, that’s embarrassing.” He cleared his throat. “Total newb, right?”

“Don’t be embarrassed, it’s normal.” I passed Wes the joint.

“I nearly hacked up a lung the first time I smoked.” Wes chuckled. “Mind you, I was an idiot who thought taking a rip off a three-foot-tall bong as my first hit was a smart decision.”

Jett snickered, his posture relaxing. “How did that go for you?”

“Not great. I coughed so hard I nearly passed out, then I got so high Ez had to babysit me so I didn’t wander off and get lost in my quest for snacks.”

I leaned back against the couch, my body relaxing, and a pleasant tingle moved through my body.

Jett snickered, the sound morphing into a giggle as Wes took his hit.

Wes passed Jett the joint. “How do you feel?”

“A bit weird.” Jett poked his cheek. “My face is tingling.”

“Is that bad?” I asked.

“Don’t know.” Jett took another drag off the joint. He blew out a stream of smoke and extended it to me. “I don’t think I’m feeling it.”

“You are.” Wes grinned as I took a hit. “But it takes about twenty minutes to fully kick in. Then you’ll really feel it.”

We passed the joint around one more time, then stubbed it out when it was done.