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“Sure.” He gestures up the stairs. “Use the master. Up the stairs, turn right, and it’s the end bedroom.”
“Great. I’ll be back soon.”
I wink at him and make my way over to the stairs. I’m not even halfway up them when I notice he’s wandered over to Cassie, the same flirtatious smirk on his face that he used on me only moments before.
Wrong idea my ass.
Moving along the hallway upstairs, I study the rows of beautifully framed photos that line the walls. Every one of them is of Lucas, throughout various stages of his childhood. Tears sting my eyes, sadness hitting me out of nowhere. He looks so loved and so happy, the complete opposite of how I felt growing up.
Is this how normal people live? Adored and doted on, surrounded by family who love them, every happy moment captured on camera? God, I can’t even imagine how that must feel. My body trembles as I fight back a meltdown. Thinking about my past makes me feel so fragile and alone. Aside from Jake, even when I had a family, I felt like I was on my own. My own mother didn’t even love me enough to take me with her. I take a deep breath, knowing I need to calm myself down before this whole thing crumbles around me.
Just relax and focus on the plan.
Stepping into the master bathroom, I lock the door behind me and get to work. I grip both sides of the sink as hard as I can and suck in a shallow breath. I let it out, then pull in another, keeping them fast and ragged until I’m lightheaded. It’s not the first time I’ve hyperventilated, but it’s the first time I have forced it to happen. It doesn’t take much to wind me up until I’m on the verge of a breakdown. All I have to do is think about everything that’s happened in my life and how badly I want people to pay for what happened to me. I want to share some of the hurt and pain I’ve been forced to live with, so they know what it feels like.
Before long, tears sting in my eyes and my stomach rolls violently as I let the pain take over. I stare at my reflection in the mirror as the tears flow. I’m a goddamned, hopeless mess.
My hands shake as I rummage through my purse for my phone. I dial Sam’s number and wait for him to answer.
“M-Mr. Reed?” I gasp when he does. “I don't feel…I feel…weird…”
“Chloe?” His voice is panicked and low. “What's going on? Where are you?”
“I went to Lucas's party,” I sob, clutching my throat and stumble backward, the dizziness catching me off guard. My performance is so damn good that evenI’mstarting to believe it. “There was a boy…I-I think he did something to my drink. I feel…” I pause for effect and let out a breathy sigh. “God, I don’t know how to explain it. Drugged, maybe?”
“Where are you now?” Sam growls, without missing a beat. “Are you somewhere safe?”
“I’m in the bathroom,” I confess in a whisper. “Yes, I’m safe, but I need to get out of here—”
“Text me the address and I'll be right there,” he orders, cutting me off. “Stay in the bathroom and don't come out until I text you that I’m there, okay?”
“Okay. Thanks, Mr. Reed.”
A ghost of a smile on my lips as I pocket my phone. That couldn’t have gone better if I had tried. He thinks I’m some poor, disadvantaged, helpless little girl he can play the white knight in shining armour for. He’s so hellbent on saving me, he doesn’t even realize thathe’sthe fucking monster in my story. He’s the boogeyman. He’s the evil incarnate…but I don’t need protecting from him because for once,I’min control.
I pace the bathroom for what feels like forever, until finally, my phone pings.
Sam: I’m outside. Do you need help getting out here?
Part of me wants to say yes, just to see if he’d really come in here to rescue me, but I know I can’t do that. The last thing I need is for him to grow a conscience and end things with me when I’m so close to getting through to him. Or worse, for him to get caught before anything has really happened.
Me: Yes, I’ll come out now.
Taking a deep breath, I start crying again, then I make my way down the stairs. I pray Lucas won’t stop me, and by some miracle, he doesn’t. In fact, nobody pays attention to me. It’s almost sad how nobody could care less about the upset, crying girl stumbling outside, onto the street, all the way over to Sam’s car. He gets out and helps me into the car, but not before he takes a long, hard look at how little I’m wearing. I bite back a smile as his eyes meet mine and then he looks away. It’s like he’s not even afraid of getting caught. Or maybe he just has more important things on his mind.
“Are you okay?” he asks once he gets in the car beside me.
I suck in a breath and nod meekly, playing up my anxiety. As much as I’m playing a role, there’s a small part of me that really does feel shaky to have him so close to me. I can smell the musky scent of his aftershave mixed with the sweet aroma of his sweat. Every so often I catch a whiff of what I’m sure is whiskey, but I dismiss it. He wouldn’t have come out here to rescue me if he’d been drinking. Actually yes, he probably would.
“What happened back there?” he asks after a moment.
“I’m not sure,” I murmur, tucking my hands under my legs. “I was talking to this guy, then I took a sip of my drink, and I felt all dizzy. That’s when I called you.”
“You accepted a drink from some guy you only just met?” His blue eyes flash as he glances my way. “Jesus, Chloe, what were you thinking?”
“Igot the drink myself,” I snap. Even though it’s not true, I can’t help defending myself. The last thing I want is Sam thinking I’m too weak or stupid to look after myself. “And for the record, I didn’t even let the drink out of my sight. It was right there on the table next to me. Jesus, if I’d known you were going to go all Daddy on me, I wouldn’t have called you.”
“I’m sorry, Chloe, I’m just worried about you.” His voice is softer now as he reaches over and puts his hand on mine. It’s a comforting gesture that makes my skin tingle in ways I don’t expect. “I told you Lucas was bad news,” he adds, his eyes flashing with anger. “I hate that you were put in that position, and I wasn’t there to help you.”
