Chapter Thirty
Annika
“Do you ever regret how we met?”
I stop my chewing and look up at him. “Why would I regret how we met?” I ask between bites of queso.
We’re at Buck’s for the first NFL game of the regular season. Germaine is on his way but was sidetracked by some girl he’s been wooing in his math class. I have no idea who she is or what’s so special about her that he had to miss kick off, but hey. Who am I to shit on true love?
Lauren is also coming as soon as she gets out of practice, but I’m not holding my breath. Ever since a new guy joined their team, she seems to be more flaky than normal. At this point, he hasn’t caught the hint yet, but I have never seen her giggly before. I’ve seen her flaunt, I’ve seen her be sassy, I’ve seen her be confident in her sexuality. But I’ve never seen her be a puddle of goo before. It’s fun seeing her crush on this guy.
“I don’t know.” Jaxon picks up a fry and pops it in his mouth. “We had to go through such terrible shit to find each other. Do you ever wish you could go back and change it?”
I have to think on that. Giving myself a few minutes to chew, I come up with the most honest answer I can. “I don’t know. Would I change the part about that Ron guy? Yeah. That wasn’t fun.”
He nods in agreement, still devouring our cheesy fries.
“But you were at the club that night. So was I. Who’s to say our paths wouldn’t have crossed a different way, ya know? Do I regret going to Ambrosia? No. Do I regret that we didn’t catch each other’s eye before…you know? Of course. It would have been nice to have met you differently. Why? Where is this coming from?”
He wipes his greasy hands on a napkin. “Nowhere, really. I guess my philosophy class is making me think about different ‘what if’ scenarios.”
“I thought you hated that class and cursed the day you thought it would be an easy elective.” I wave my hands in the air exaggeratedly like he did after reading the synopsis on the first day. Turns out, it’s not a space-filler class after all, but it wasn’t “fact-based” either. All “speculation shit,” is what he called it. “Wasn’t it you who said speculation gets you nowhere?”
“It doesn’t.” He chuckles. “But fuck me if it hasn’t made my head go all swirly with different possibilities.”
The door swings open, and a couple about our age comes walking in. It’s clear from their body language and shy looks that this is a first date. Jaxon follows my gaze. “What are you looking at?”
“Young love,” I respond with a flutter of my eyelashes. “It’s cute seeing new couples who still aren’t very sure of themselves. Reminds me of our younger years.”
He snorts a laugh. “I thought I was the one taking philosophy. You sound like my crackpot professor.”
I shrug. “You’ve rubbed off on me. But seriously. Turn the question back around to you. Do you regret the way we met?”
“Not for a second,” he immediately responds.
“Wow. You certainly knew that answer fast.”
“The only thing I wish is that I’d seen it all happen sooner.”
“I know, babe,” I say quietly and put my hand on his arm. “But I’m fine, remember? We’re fine.”
He nods and looks at his fries. It’s been close to two months since the trial ended and our lives returned to normal. Well, with a little extra unwanted notoriety.
We don’t talk about it much. We’re ready to put it behind us. But it does come up. Regardless of the closure, that doesn’t mean the issues aren’t still there. Every day we’re a little stronger. Sometimes we just have to take a minute to regroup.
Just as the DA had anticipated and warned us, that Ron guy and his defense team filed an appeal. It doesn’t mean we have to do anything, but it put Jaxon on edge. I know he’s worried, but appeals can go on for years. It’s nothing we’ll necessarily have to deal with, just continue to stay informed.
I glance over at the television, waiting for the commercial break to be over. Why does it always seem like halftime takes forever?
I catch myself watching the couple that came in. They’re cute together. She looks like she is a social butterfly, big smile, bright eyes. He looks like the quiet guy, shy smile, thinks she hung the moon.
As she turns around to put her purse on the back of her chair, it happens in just a second. I blink in disbelief.
“Jax,” I say quickly and smack his arm multiple times, demanding he pay attention.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Ohmygod, Jax, that guy. The new couple…”
“Uh huh.”
“He put something in her drink.”
My heart is racing. I don’t know what to do.
Jaxon looks at them then leans over the table, speaking quietly. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Why are you asking me? Do you not believe me?”
He grabs my hand to calm me. “Stop. You’re right. It was a reactionary response. What do you want to do?”
“I want to run screaming over there and dump the drink out.”
He chuckles. “Let’s be realistic. We don’t want to scare her. We’ve got to handle this delicat—”
“Shit, Jax, she just took a drink.”
He tosses his napkin on the table. “Fuuuck. Okay, keep an eye on her. I’m going to tell the manager.”
I nod but don’t take my eyes off that table. I watch as she talks and jokes with this guy, not knowing what’s happening and what’s at risk. Every time she takes a sip, I cringe, but I have to wait for Jaxon. Getting the police is the number one priority. I don’t want to scare this guy off before they get here.
What pisses me off is how he sits there smiling at her like nothing is wrong. Like he hasn’t done anything illegal. And then I see it when it happens. She puts a hand on her forehead, and I know what she’s feeling. That the drug is already taking effect.
Jaxon slides back into the booth. “The manager has called the cops. We just have to play it cool.”
I shake my head vehemently. “We can’t play it cool, babe.”
“How come?”
“She’s already starting to black out. I have to go help her.”
He looks at me for a second, making sure I’m emotionally ready for this then gestures with his head. “Go. I’m right behind you.”
Without looking back, I walk straight up to their table and lie through my teeth. “Hi! Don’t I know you from campus?”
The girl looks up at me with a bright smile and crinkled eyebrows. Her cheeks are flushed and she’s clearly feeling confused. “Uh, I don’t know. Do we have a class together?”
“Maybe. I’m Annika. Annika Leander.”
“Hi, I’m Paige and this is my friend, Trevor.”
“What’s up?” Trevor asks, popping his head up the way guys do to say hi.
“Hm. Well, maybe not.” I’m running out of time, so I give up the act. “Listen, Paige. I have bad news for you.”
“Uh huh.” I can tell by the look in her eyes she’s getting drowsy.
“Trevor here put something in your drink.”
“What the fuck?” Trevor yells as Paige says, “What?”
“You’re feeling kind of nauseous and your head is spinning, like it’s about to float away?” She nods at me. “Yeah, someone did that to me too. That’s the date rape drug hitting your system.”
“I…what?” I can hear the panic in her voice, so I rush to reassure her.
“Listen to me, Paige. Since I saw him do it—”
“You fucking bitch!” He slams his fist on the table and stands up. “You’re lying!”
I say sweetly, “I wouldn’t go anywhere Trevor. My boyfriend, Jaxon, is right behind you.” Jaxon gives a menacing wave when Trevor looks over his shoulder, surprised to see someone standing behind him. “And he doesn’t take too kindly to men who roofie women. You might want to turn around.”
Returning my attention back to the victim, I kneel down in front of her, take her hands in mine and say, “Paige, we’ve already called the cops and an ambulance is on the way. You’re going to feel really groggy, but I don’t want you to be scared. I’m not going to leave your side. Is there someone I can call?”
Her eyes get heavy, and I know she’s close to passing out. “Bethany. Call Bethany.”
“Okay. I’ll call Bethany and go with you to the hospital.”
“Okay,” she says and collapses in my arms, out like a light. I look up and Trevor is staring at me, daggers in his eyes.
“I didn’t do anything, you stupid bitch.”
Jaxon drops his hand on Trevor’s shoulder and forces his back into the chair. Hard. “I’d think twice about calling my girlfriend a bitch. Especially when the cops are here.”
A couple of police officers walk into the restaurant and the manager immediately greets them, leading them over to the table.
The next few minutes are a whirlwind of activity as police officers, detectives, and paramedics infiltrate Buck’s. As Trevor is hauled away in handcuffs, the glasses are carefully collected as evidence.
When the paramedics load Paige up on the gurney, I see the concern in Jaxon’s eyes. He walks up to me. “Are you sure you want to go to the hospital? Are you okay?”
“I’m good, baby, I promise.” Reaching up, I rub my hands across his cheeks. “I’m just glad we were here at the right time, ya know?”
“I know.” And there’s no doubt in my mind he knows exactly what I’m feeling and why this feels vindicating.
“Which hospital are we going to?” I ask the paramedic.
“Just right here to Memorial.”
Turning back to Jaxon I say, “Meet me at the hospital? I’m gonna need a ride after her friend Bethany gets there.”
He laughs even though the situation isn’t funny at all. “Do you feel the same weird déjà vu I’m feeling?”
I kiss him lightly on the lips as the gurney is pulled away. “It’s not déjà vu, but it’s definitely full circle. See you there.”
He nods once and turns back to the police, who begin questioning him about what he saw.
There’s no doubt in my mind that we’re going to end up back in the news. But this time, I don’t mind. If the last year has taught me anything, it’s to keep my wits about me, but also to never assume that anyone has your back. And that translates to never assuming anyone else’s back is covered either.
I will live with the fact that I am victim number two for the rest of my life. What I do with that is up to me.
And Jaxon coming along with me for that journey—that’s just a matter of the Hart.
The End