Chapter 11

The party is fun, except for Dr. Keller’s strange staring. His eyes seem to follow me wherever I go. The way he looks at me makes me nervous, like I’m one moment away from being mocked. There’s nothing worse than being insulted at a party in front of people you still have to work with.

That thought alone makes me want to leave, but Jake, who’s supposed to drive me home, doesn’t look ready to go anytime soon. And I don’t want to pressure him to leave while he’s having a good time.

I sit at a table with Kim, Jake, and a few other girls when Jake’s phone rings. He stands up and walks away, one hand holding the phone to his ear while the other covers his free ear to block out the loud music.

A few minutes later, he comes back. “I have to leave,” he says, looking at me. “Do you want to come now? I can drop you.”

“Is everything okay?” I ask, glancing at his half eaten plate as he picks it up to throw it out. “Something came up. I need to leave right now. I’m so sorry.” He pauses. “Are you coming?”

“She’s still eating,” Kim points out.

“Can you drop her?” he asks her.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t drive. I was planning to have a few drinks. Marty brought me here.”

I look at Jake’s impatient body language. Whatever happened seems urgent. I don’t want to delay him.

“Don’t worry about me,” I say. “I’ll figure it out.”

“Are you sure?” He hesitates.

“No worries, there are lots of people here. I won’t have a hard time finding a ride.” I assure him.

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

He gives Kim and me a quick half-hug before leaving.

As soon as he’s gone, Kim leans toward me. “You two are a good match.”

I laugh softly. “I have no such intentions. I don’t have feelings for him beyond friendship.”

“That’s too bad,” Kim says. “Because it seems like he has some.”

She’s already had a few drinks and is starting to spill everything that comes to her mind. I don’t want her talking about this any longer, so I point at a couple dancing nearby.

“They look cute together.”

But she circles right back. “You and Jake’s dance was better. You guys looked like a couple deeply in love.”

I smile and get up to grab more food, hoping to divert her attention. At the food table, I scoop some pasta onto my plate when I feel a light touch on my arm. I don’t need to turn around. I recognize the scent immediately.

It’s Dr. Keller.

He’d been seated across the room when I left my table for food. How he suddenly appears beside me sends a chill through me. Certain he’s found another reason to call me out, I turn away and return to my table with my small portion of pasta.

I sit beside Kim. She looks at my plate. “Are you on a diet?” she asks, smiling as she teases me.

“I’m not hungry,” I reply.

A few seconds later, Dr. Keller walks over and sits across from us.

“Having a good time?” he asks Kim.

“Yeah, it’s been a lot of fun. How about you?” she says.

“Well, I’m enjoying watching all of you have fun.”

When he says all of you, his eyes flick toward mine for a second.

“The food is so good, especially the risotto,” Kim says, lifting a spoonful. “It’s really creamy.”

“I should try that,” he says.

I glance at his plate. He only took pasta, and not much of it.

He eats casually, relaxed. Even something as simple as eating, he does it with quiet grace.

I can’t relax at all. I sit there tense, waiting for the moment he decides to pick on me. Surprisingly, the conversation stays on food and music.

As soon as I finish eating, I stand up to throw my plate away. I walk to the corner of the room where the garbage bins are. When I turn back, Dr. Brooks bumps into me.

“Oh, sorry,” she says, raising her hands, a drink in one hand. Then she lifts her eyes and looks at me. “Oh, look who it is. Sarah, my dear, be careful. I almost dumped this all over your beautiful dress,” she says in her drunken voice.

“It’s okay,” I smile. “By the way, I’m not Sarah. I’m Amelia.”

“Of course, of course you’re Amelia.” She then leans closer and whispers into my ear. “But you know what name suits you better.” She pauses, then adds, “A whore.”

Of course. If it’s not Dr. Keller, then someone else has to ruin my day. Tonight, it’s Dr. Brooks’ turn. I stare at her, my face burning. “I’m not a whore.”

“Oh, you’re not?” she says sarcastically. “What were you doing playing with my boyfriend while he was still with me? You’re a home wrecker. Remember this. It won’t last forever. One day you’ll be in my place, and he’ll throw you out like garbage.”

I say nothing. There’s no point arguing with her. She’s drunk. I can see the sadness underneath it all, buried by alcohol. Seems like the drink helps her escape a bit.

I want that feeling. I need that drink to feel better. I walk past her and head to the drinks counter. I sit there and start drinking.

I had one Moscow Mule earlier and fully intended not to have another. Now I pour one. Then another. Then another.

By the time I stop, I’m completely drunk.

I stand up, planning to go back to Kim, but nausea and dizziness hit me hard. Darkness creeps into my vision. I don’t want to throw up in front of everyone and become the next joke. I look around for the washroom but can’t figure out where it is.

I stumble outside, one hand pressed against the wall. The cool summer breeze feels soothing. I sink to the ground near the parking lot.

A car stops behind me. “Do you need a ride?” the driver asks.

I can’t see him clearly. I stand and stumble closer.

It’s one of the creepy guys who’s been watching me all night. I don’t want to get into a car with him, but all I want is to go home. My tipsy thoughts do some quick calculations. We work at the same place; surely he wouldn’t cross any boundaries.

I reach for the door and nearly fall. He opens the door and comes around, grabs my waist.

His grip feels deliberate and too tight. Even though I know something is wrong, I’m in no condition to defend myself.

As I struggle to get into the car, an arm suddenly yanks me back. I fall onto the pavement.

I look up and see Dr. Keller.

“She’s fine. You can go. I’ll arrange transportation for her,” he says to the creepy man. He leaves without a word.

Dr. Keller lifts me and supports me against his shoulder.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“Me?” I say, confused. “I was trying to go home. And you stopped me.”

“You think getting into a car with a stranger is smart?”

“He was at the party,” I mumble.

“Jesus Christ.” He clenches his jaw. “Free drinks, and you had to try everything. Why can’t you drink in moderation?”

Now he’s insulting me. I try to push him away, but his grip tightens.

“Why did your boyfriend leave early without you?” he asks sarcastically.

“Jake isn’t my boyfriend,” I say, slumping against him.

He tries to steady me as we walk, but I can barely stand. Finally, he lowers me to the ground.

I lie on the pavement.

“Stay here. I’ll bring my car. Don’t move.” He says it as if I might run away.

Good luck with that. Look at me.

A minute later, his expensive car pulls up. He gets out, lifts me, and places me in the passenger seat. As the car starts moving, everything I’ve been holding in comes out, soaking my dress and his leather seats. Relief follows immediately.

Then everything goes dark.