I shake my head, tossing the voice from my brain. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end regardless. He’s gone. And if I have any luck left in this fucking world, he’s gone forever.
“I’ve gotta go, Jared is waiting for me,” Luca says, slinging his bass bag over his shoulder and bringing me back to reality.
“Yeah, I’ve gotta go too. I’ve got work in the morning,” Ryland says.
We pull in for a tight group hug before heading our separate ways.
“I’m going to Nathan’s after this,” Harper says, wringing her hands. “But we can share a cab?”
“Harper, stop,” I tell her. “I’ll be fine. I’m going to call an Uber, go pee, and then go home. I’ll be fine. Stop worrying.” I take her hands in mine and give her a pleading look.
She searches my face for a moment before letting out a long breath. “Fine,” she sighs. “But text me when you get into the Uber, when the Uber drops you off, when you get into your apartment, and before you go to sleep, okay?”
“Yes, Mom.” I salute before kissing her on the cheek. Usually, I would put up more of a fight, but after I bared everything to her the other day, I can’t blame her for being protective. I’m just not used to it.
After a pause in the doorway, she gives me a last look and leaves. Suddenly I’m alone again. I sigh, tucking my songbook into the pocket of my guitar case. I really need to pee.
The sound from the bar travels down the narrow hallway. Glasses clinking, the raucous buzz of voices mixed with the faint music from the house speakers. It’s so loud tonight, they must have really enjoyed our set. I close the door behind me and make my way to the bathroom. I don’t make it more than five steps before I feel a hand grabbing my arm. My back hits the wall of a small alcove just off the hallway.
“Hey, baby,” Kirk breathes into my face, body pressed firmly against mine. The stench of alcohol clogs my nostrils.
I try to suppress the gag, but it comes out anyway as I attempt to wiggle out of his grasp, but he’s too strong.
“I’ve been thinking about you,” he slurs, tilting my jaw up to face him.
The repulsion that trembles its way through my body is visceral. He has a trail of some type of dried liquid at the side of his mouth, and his hair is stuck to his forehead with sweat. Ofcourse, he needed to drug me; no woman would ever let this foul creature inside them willingly.
“Go away, Kirk,” I plead, still desperately trying to break free from his grasp, which only makes him tighten his hold. I try to brace my hands on his chest to push him away, but they’re held tight against my sides. He may look gaunt, but fuck, he’s strong.
“C’mon, baby, I want to finish what we started,” he breathes, his left hand sliding down my waist. The lazy grin on his face makes me know exactly where that hand is headed.
Panic claws up my spine. He wouldn’t do it here… would he? There’s too many people.
“Get the fuck off me,” I spit at him, finally able to bring my hands up to his chest and push him back. He stumbles with the force, but rights himself quickly. His face turns impossibly red, and his nostrils flare.
I feel my heart beating in my ears. I try to run, but my legs won’t cooperate. My chest tightens, and silent tears begin to fall as he moves towards me. I need to run. I need to fight. I need to do something. Despite the war raging in my head, I stay rooted to the spot. Even as one hand wraps around my neck and the other fumbles with the button on my jeans.
I suck in a breath and close my eyes. I let my limbs fall loose as I drift far, far away.
I’m in the field; the only sound I can hear is the water from the lake.I hold onto that thought, keeping my eyes closed as the feel of his touch fades away.
“Kat?” A voice startles me from my safe place.
My heart thumps in my chest as I gasp for air.
“Kat, are you okay? Look at me.”
Hands shake me and force my eyes open. Elias’s face is inches from mine, worry etched across his features.
I clutch my chest as I try to suck in ragged breath after ragged breath. It’s as if all the air has been sucked from the room. Why can’t I breathe?
“You’re having a panic attack,” he says as he turns behind him. That’s when I notice Kirk lying on the floor, red liquid staining his face. His eyes roll into the back of his head as someone stands over him.
“Take him downstairs,” Elias says, although I’m only vaguely aware. My breath comes heavy and fast. My vision blurs at the edges, and my eyes fall shut.
Strong arms wrap around my waist, and the floor disappears from under my feet. The movement makes me suck in the non-existent air, making my lungs burn. I feel a warm wall of muscle against my side as strong hands grip my waist and legs. The shock almost restarts my breathing rhythm.Almost.
I’m faintly aware of a door being pushed open and immediately closed before I’m gently placed on something soft. Elias lowers himself to the floor and kneels in front of me.
