Leaning into her, I shake my head. “She’s drunk.” Smelling the tequila wafting off her. Lifting her feet up, I turn her to let her lie down on the couch when I see it. The left side of her face, already forming what is most likely a bruise. “Somebody hit her.” I gasp before looking back at him.
“And she came to you for safety?” Collins gives me a shitty look as he says it.
“Fuck off.” I mutter as I nudge her shoulder. “Drew, did someone hit you?”
“Yup,” she mumbles, her eyes still closed, and I’m not sure if she’s still asleep or not. “Had one drink.” She mumbles again.
“She’s not drunk.” Collins nods at me before sighing. We make eye contact, knowing what happened. “I’ll let you deal with this. Look, don’t go looking for vengeance.” The door clicking behind him, not waiting for a response.
“Drew.” My voice lowers as I nudge her once more. Her eyes droop as she tries to open them. “It’s just us now.”
“Yes, I’m the idiot who was drugged, yet again.” I can hear the emotion radiating from her.
“You’re not an idiot.” Shaking my head, I have to look away as I exhale. “What happened?”
“It was a second date.”
It’s like a fucking shot straight through me. Even though I saw her walking to a restaurant the other night, obviously dressed for a date, I lied to myself about it.
“I mean.” She sighs, her eyes opening again for a moment. “I was trying to distance myself. Like we said.” She glances at me, and all I can do is nod. “I met this guy, and he seemed fine. I’ve seen him around campus, thought he was a student, turns out he’s a dealer, then I ran into him at a party, and thought it was safe.”
“He’s an idiot.” I tell her, reaching over and placing my hand on her arm, her fingers coming up instinctively, dancing on top of mine.
She stares at me. I’m not sure if it’s her or me who intertwines our fingers.
I don’t push her to finish; I just nod, letting her say whatever she wants. “You don’t have to talk about it. Or you can tell me in themorning.” I whisper, leaning over to her.
“In the morning?” She whispers, a smile peeking out on her face, now showing me the cut on her lip as it trickles a few drops of blood.
“I’m not leaving you like this.” matching her expression.
“I’m not sure I’ll remember in the morning if I don’t say it now.” She shakes her head before inhaling deeply and continuing. “It was different this time. He was on edge. I knew after a couple of sips of my drink that he’d done something to it. I recognized the sensation. He went to the bathroom; I got up to leave, only as I stumbled through the parking lot, he caught up with me.”
I can feel the rage rising through my body now. Taking a couple of breaths, I squeeze her hand just enough to remind her I’m here.
“He forced me into his car. I’m sure I have a lump on my head from how he slammed the door on it. I tried to jump out as he took off, but he grabbed me. I bit him.” She laughs.
Looking down her body, I realize that I somehow overlooked the torn clothing, as I had only focused on her bruised face. But now my eyes trail over the road rash on her arms.
“Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Nodding her head, she stands up, wincing before I attempt to steady her. Maneuvering her into my bedroom and sitting her down on the bed. I walk into the bathroom and turn the shower on.
“Thank you.” She whispers as she stands in front of me. Unbuttoning her jeans, I’m not sure if I should look away to giveher privacy or if it doesn’t matter.
Conflicted, I just avert my eyes.
A giggle comes from her. “It’s not like you haven’t seen every inch of me before.”
The smirk spreads across my lips, shaking my head, and turn back to quip out a smart-ass response. “Oh my God,” replaces it, instead as I look at her in only her bra and panties, rage boiling over inside as I take in her bruised torso. “You didn’t mention any of this.” Motioning at her.
Sighing, she steps towards the bathroom, flicking on the lights and looking at herself in the mirror. “Oh.” It’s sad as she nods her head, looking back at me. “I fell out of the car as he turned, but he stopped and came back for me. It was late enough that no one was paying any attention. He underestimated how much fight I have.”
Forcing myself to focus on her as she steps back out, her lips pressing into a sweet smile.
“Calm down. I’m okay. I’m safe now.” Walking up and laying her hand on my chest. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in your uniform before.” Batting her eyes.
“Not now, Drew.” I’m sure she can hear the pain in my voice as I have to force the words out.
