CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Natalia
When I finally come to, my body feels heavy and groggy. Everything comes back to me in unclear flashes. I can hardly piece together what happened after Aaron gave me a drink. I just remember feeling sad, from the conversation with my dad to everything with Luke. I just wanted to have fun—one night where I didn’t have to be the responsible, well-put-together Natalia. But the more sips I took from the red cup Aaron gave me, the more loose my body became. The last thing I remember was fear clawing at my throat when I realized I couldn’t move, and Aaron’s distorted face hovering over me.
To make matters worse, the first faces I see when I wake are ones I don’t want to. I am consumed with anger that my dad would bring Gina. I feign sleepiness, not interested in talking to either of them. I just need my friends—who are more of my family than my real family is. Halfway into their visit, I must’ve fallen back asleep because when I wake up again, I see the faces I have been longing for. All except for one.
Aliza and Sam slowly fill in the missing pieces of my memory, and I can’t help but gasp in horror. I can tell they’re leaving certain things out. Specifically, how they got through the locked door, and what ended up happening to Aaron after. I don’t dwell on it too much. I’m just glad they’re discharging me. I just need to curl up in a ball on my bed and berate myself for my decisions. If the girls hadn’t come looking for me, what would’ve happened? The question sends a shiver down my spine.
***
I’m brushing out my hair after just getting out of the shower when Sam barges into my room without knocking. With my back to her, I roll my eyes. After I got discharged, the first thing I did when I came home was shower. I wanted every part of Aaron washed off my body. I scrubbed my skin raw under the water, wondering all the places he could’ve touched without my knowledge while I was unconscious. Sam and Aliza have been fussing over me since I left the hospital. It’s been infuriating. I just really want to lie in bed and lick my wounds. Not hash out all the details. Is it really necessary that I know everything? Apparently fucking so.
“We need to talk,” Sam says from the doorway.
“Do we have to talk right now, Sam? I just want to lie in bed, maybe even watch a little TV. Forget everything for a while,” I say, turning to her. Sam stares at me with a look I’ve never seen before. I can’t even place it.
“I want to talk about Luke.”
My heart does a painful stutter in my chest, and my breathing turns irregular. I don’t want to hear about him. Not right now. Everything is still so raw.
“Well, I don’t want to talk about him,” I retort.
“Do you love him?” she asks suddenly. My breath catches, and my eyes prick with tears. “Despite what he did, can you see yourself living without him?”
I bite my bottom lip until I taste blood. I know the answer to this. I’ve known it from the first day.
“No,” I whisper.
“Good. Because he fought for you in a way I’ve never seen Luke do anything before. He almost threw away his football career for you, and that’s saying a lot. So, I think it’s time I tell you what really happened.”
After Sam tells me the full story, I’m a mess of tears. I can’t believe Luke Caldwell did all that for me. He risked his college ball career, his NFL career, maybe even his life, depending if Aaron decides to press charges.
“He was a mess…at the hospital. He even punched your dad.” Sam snickers and I snap my wide eyes to hers.
“He punched my dad? But…why?”
“Your dad brought Gina. That didn’t sit too well with Luke. God, I wish you would’ve seen it, he really told your dad off. Told him you were worth more than second place. I swear, he won me over right then and there.” She chuckles. My bottom lip trembles, and a fresh wave of tears spill over.
“He really said that?” I whisper thickly.
Sam nods, smiling at me sadly. “Yes, he did.”
“Why wasn’t he at the hospital when you, Aliza, and Chase were?”
She blows out a sigh and stares at the ceiling for beat before turning to me. “I think he was scared. Scared you wouldn’t want him there. He came in when you were asleep. Just stopped in with Drew to make sure you were okay.”
I press a trembling hand to my lips, trying not to sob out loud like a baby.
“I know what he did was wrong…” So wrong. “But sometimes, I think we all make mistakes that we regret, Natalia. It’s the actions we take to fix those mistakes that really matter.”
I stare up into emerald eyes swirling with emotion and give her a watery smile. “When did you get so smart?”
Pursing her lips, she shrugs and nudges me in the arm. “It’s all up to you, Nat. What are you going to do?” she asks with a gleam in her eye. I smile up at my best friend and pull her into a close hug. Never wanting to let go.