Page 70 of Fractured

“Kat, you know I would. What’s wrong?”

“I really should tell you this in person, but Olivia is on her way here. I’m going to tell her too. You’re two of my closest friends, and I need both of you.”

“I’m glad to be here. What’s going on? Are you pregnant?”

“Ha!” I wish. I almost think that would be easier. “No. I…”

Knock, Knock, Knock.

“Oh lord, Nate. Olivia must’ve come over here like a speed demon. Can I call you back later?”

“Of course. I’m here doing a whole lotta nothing. Why don’t you text me when Liv is heading out? I can come by then if you want.”

“Okay. Maybe. Let me text or call you later.”

I walk toward the door and see a very anxious starlet through the window. Opening the door, I beckon her in, “Come on in, Liv.”

Grabbing my hand, she drags me down my hallway to the couch and sits down, pulling me with her. “What’s going on? You’ve got me worried sick.”

“Well, remember the weird stuff I was trying to sort out and the date with Mark?”

“Of course. What’s happened now?”

“Well, I’ve pretty much figured out it’s all related to the sleeping pill. I still don’t have the Rohypnol test back, but someone confirmed they saw me out late one night when I’d taken the sleeping pill, and I don’t recall being there.”

I watch as Olivia gasps and covers her mouth. “Are they sure it was you?”

Not divulging all the dirty details here.“Uh, yeah. They’re quite sure.” I squirm in my seat a little. “What’s more, the night that I told you I had weird dreams of being in a strip club and the next morning waking up in bizarre clothes…”

“Yes?” Liv’s eyes are like saucers, watching me carefully.

“Well, that guy that I went on the date with, the one I’m waiting for the Rohypnol test to come back, he must’ve been there because he sent a picture of me on stage.”

“Holy shit, Kat.” She grabs for both of my hands, and I’m surprised to find I’m not crying.Holy crap, I must be empty.Or maybe I’m too numb to cry anymore.

“Why did he send you the picture? Did he know you were confused about what was happening?”

“No. I don’t know why he sent it. His texts have been very cryptic. None of it makes any sense. I don’t know if it’s some type of blackmail or if he’s retaliating because I told him I didn’t want to date. My counselor thinks I should file a restraining order.”

“Kat, I agree. This guy sounds scary.”

“I know, but I can’t risk making him angrier. What if I do, and he suddenly releases that picture on social media or something? It’s not just my pride. Olivia, I could lose my job if a picture like that came out.”

“I hadn’t thought about that. What’re you going to do?”

“I don’t know. My counselor said I needed to involve a few people. If I wasn’t going to the police. So, I had a plan in place if anything got worse.”

“Well, I’ll do anything to help, and so will Mac. Do you want to stay with us for a while?”

“I think I’ll be okay. You two have so much going on with the wedding. I don’t want to impose. But it’d make me feel better to know I had somewhere to turn if things got worse.”

“Of course. You don’t even have to ask. But Kat, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Are you still seeing Nick?”

“Kind of. We aren’t in any formal relationship or anything. But well… we keep hooking up.” This brings a smile to my face. This emotion feels so foreign now. “I told him I needed time to work things out after it was confirmed I’d been doing things without my knowledge on the sleeping pill. He’s so understanding, Liv. He’s like no one I’ve ever been with.”

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