I swipe at them and say again, “I want to go.”
But, of course, I go unnoticed. They’re all talking over each other, and Kate is threatening some kind of bodily violence. Jane is physically restraining her from leaving the van, but there’s no need for any of that. I’ve seen what I need to.
“I want to fucking go!” I erupt, and everyone snaps their mouths shut. An eerie silence settles over us.
“No need to yell,” Eliza says, and I turn to look back at Luke.
Our eyes meet across the parking lot, and my entire body lights up. Then my heart stops in my chest. I’m going to need to be resuscitated.
He moves toward me, a frown on his face, and I lock the doors.
“Fuck, go. Abort! We’ve been spotted,” Lex shouts, and Eliza puts the van in drive and peels out like she’s being chased by the police. The tires skid, and rocks are thrown up against the side of the van. As we fly onto the main road, I press my fingers into my temples and inhale and exhale deeply.
Eliza reaches over and grasps my arm lightly. “I’m sorry, El.”
“It’s fine.”
It’s not fine. It’s far from fine.
“I’m ordering some more herbs,” Jane grumbles, pulling out her phone, but I tune them out. I just lean my head against the window and close my eyes.
I was better off not knowing.
My phone pings, and as much as I want to ignore it, my eyes are drawn to it.
Luke:Why were you at my brother’s place?
I run my finger over his name and gnaw at my bottom lip.
Me:You’re seeing things. I’m at home.
Luke:Nah. I clearly saw you in your sister’s van.
Luke:Plus, Jane already told me to watch out. She said she was ordering another witchcraft kit.
I sigh. “Jane, seriously? You threatened Luke with witchcraft?”
She scoffs, “What? He should know why all his luscious hair is falling out.”
“Oh my god,” I reply, and then my phone pings again, and I swallow roughly.
Luke:Why didn’t you come and say hi?
Now I’m irrationally angry. Why the hell would I do that when he’s with someone else?
I type a response and then delete it. I type another and do the same thing, until I finally come to a decision.
Me:I came to say goodbye but saw that you were busy.
And then, I shut my phone off and slide it into my jacket pocket.
No more of this. I need to let this go.
I don’t act like this, like some crazed stalker. I’m a doctor, for fuck’s sake. I’ve lost my fucking mind.
“I don’t feel well,” I tell them. “Just drop me off at home.”
But of course, they don’t listen. Instead of dropping me off to wallow in my misery, they move into the house with me and refuse to leave.Jane and Kate plant themselves on the couch, pouring themselves glasses of my cheap wine, while Eliza texts her husband, Seth. Meanwhile, Lex is walking through my house, typing frantically on his phone.