Page 71 of Fractured

“By a long shot.”

“I have to admit, I’m worried I could lose him over this mess.”

“Why would you say that?”

“My psychologist, Dr. Miller, advised it wouldn’t be best to continue a relationship with him if I didn’t tell him what was going on with Mark. But I don’t want him dealing with any of my baggage. I want to get it right this time, Olivia. Plus, I couldn’t live with myself if he went after Mark. I don’t want him doing anything stupid on my account.”

“I hadn’t considered that. But I think Dr. Miller’s right. It won’t help to keep things from Nick, but I understand why you’re conflicted. I wouldn’t worry about losing him, though. You guys have been through a fair amount already, and he keeps coming back for more. I think it’d take a lot to run him off.” Olivia beams comfortingly at me. “I’m going to use your restroom before I go. I’m really glad you called me, Kat. You have to stop handling everything in your life alone.” My dear, sweet friend squeezes my hands in hers. “You’re loved. Lean on us.”

I sit, considering Olivia’s words. I do feel better knowing she’s aware of what’s happening. I have nothing to be embarrassed about where she’s concerned. She knows me. She knows I’d never behave the way I did without the influence of the sleeping pill. I’m a victim here. The more I ruminate on that statement, the angrier I get at Mark. That he’s put me in this position.

Olivia walks toward me and looks a little pale. “Liv? You okay?”

“Yeah. Since we’re both sharing all of our personal nitty-gritty. I need to let you know there’s an issue with the wedding.”

I instantly become alarmed. After all of these years, is Mac having cold feet?

Sitting up taller, I push, “What do you mean?”

“I’m pregnant. I don’t want to walk down the aisle looking like a beached whale. So, we’re moving it to Valentine’s Day. Corny, huh?”

The shock of her statement finally settles in, and I burst into laughter. “That’s not corny at all. It’s amazing. The best news I’ve heard in so long.” I grab her to my chest and squeeze her until I remember she isn’t feeling well. “Oh, I’m sorry, Liv. The last thing you need is me grabbing at you.”

“Don’t be silly. What’s a little puke between friends?”

* * *

Olivia heads home a short while later, and I decide to let Nate know I’m feeling better but wouldn’t mind catching up in the morning if he’s free. Between the counseling session with Dr. Miller, the multiple showers and crying fits, and now Olivia’s visit, I might actually be able to sleep tonight.

I reach for my phone to call him and notice there’s a new email notification. Clicking on the prompt, I see it’s from the lab. As I hit the email in question, I wait for the attachment to load.

Rohypnol: positive

Chapter Twenty-Three

Kat

Knock, Knock.

I walk toward my front door and see my dear friend Nate through the window.

“Hey, come on in.” I usher as a decadent aroma wafts in with him.

As he walks past, I notice coffee and donuts from Country Time Donuts, a beloved local confectionary institution.

“Oh my gosh, I love you!”

“You love me or my donuts?” Nate laughs.

I honestly didn’t think anything could help my mood this morning. I didn’t sleep at all last night. My feelings flipped from angry to fearful, betrayed to violated. I still can’t get a handle on this. Sitting down at the kitchen table, I start to share the events of my life. All the humiliating events. I come to the portion of the conversation where I have to share my recent texts from Mark, and I stop.

“Nate. I’m sharing this with you because I desperately need your help. You mean the world to me, and I trust you. I was trying to manage this on my own, but my counselor convinced me to let a few people I trusted in. I trust Jake and Mel, but you can’t tell Mel something and not expect it to get to Jake.” I watch as Nate nods in agreement. “And I can’t tell Jake because I’m certain he would try to kill Mark.”

Nate suddenly looks shocked and a bit, angry? I tell him about the date with Mark, the questions that followed, and the texts that began appearing after I advised Mark I wasn’t interested in dating. I disclose receiving a picture confirming he saw me at the strip club performing and that the purpose of said picture is still unknown. I leave out what I was wearing because this situation is degrading enough. Reaching over, I grab his arm. “Nate, I found out last night the Rohypnol test I took came back positive.”

Nate jumps up from his chair, the wooden furnishing falling to the ground behind him with a loud thud. “Oh, hell no!” he yells into the air.

Jumping up to try and comfort him, I beg. “Nate. Please. I know you’re upset. I am too, but I need you to stay calm. I don’t want anyone doing anything to Mark. I have to figure all of this out. When I called you yesterday, I had no idea about the test results. I was just upset about that damn picture. My counselor wants me to go to the police.”

---