Part 59

"Nath, are you okay?" Loretta grabbed his shoulder. Nathan chose not to answer. He glanced back at his mother, who shrugged and walked away from the bar table with a bowl of snacks in her hand.

Nathan then turned when he saw Haisley being led by Gilbert. Suddenly, he reached for Loretta's waist, surprising her, and then tilted his head to the left, so from Haisley's perspective, it looked like Nathan was kissing Loretta.

Annoyed, jealous, angry—while intoxicated, he felt all of it, but he tried to ignore it. He chose to grip Gilbert's arm tighter and simply followed his friend's steps, who helped him upstairs.

What was really in that drink that made the floor feel like it was twisting like a snake? He wondered to himself. The drink tasted sweet and refreshing, but its effects made him feel weak and miserable.

Gilbert opened the door to his old room and led him inside. Slowly, he seated Haisley on the bed. "Lie down, the dizziness will go away," he said gently.

Haisley looked up,