I felt a tinge of fear and surprised the hell out of her when I dragged her into my arms to hold her. “You know I would never let anyone harm you, right?” If she thought my question was out of left field, she didn’t say as much, just wrapped her arms more snugly around me with her head on my chest. I had no idea she was trying to hide her eyes from me.
LISA
“I found out something.” Both Jess and Alexis looked up at my entrance. It had become natural these days for Jess to hang out in our room whether I was there or not since those two had become fast friends. I know they thought they had to look after me, which says a lot about my lack because I’d only known Alexis for a handful of weeks, and already, she knew I was a weakling who needed protecting.
“What did you learn?” They both watched as I walked over to my bed and plopped down before blowing out the breath I’d been holding all the way here in Cody’s truck. I’d spent the last two hours at his place biting my tongue and fighting the urge to give in and tell him what was going on, and I was proud of myself for holding out.
Something changed in his demeanor after the text he received and didn’t share with me. I know it wasn’t Steve because he was even more afraid of Cody finding out what he’d spilled than anything, so who and what had made him promise not to let anything happen to me? And what exactly had this person said to him?
It wouldn’t be too surprising if word got back to him about me asking around about Susie. I hadn’t thought of it before since the people I’d spoken to weren’t part of his circle, but what’s done is done. If that was all there was to it; surely he would’ve just come right out and asked, or would he? It was hard to tell at this point, but I’m not too worried about it in any case.
The way he’d been after the text only solidified my resolve to protect our budding relationship. It’s the first time I’ve felt this strongly about anything, and though it may seem like I was being carried away by my first taste of love, I don’t think so. My feelings can in no way be dismissed so easily; I won’t let them be. For once, I have something worth fighting for worth holding onto…
“Hey, daydream believer, what did you learn?” Jess threw a pillow across the room at me and broke me out of my inner musings. “Well, first, I found out that she’s definitely the one who sent the picture.” The next part was harder to say than I thought it would be.
Not because of any fear of defaming Susie; I doubt Steve would’ve blurted it out like that had it been a lie. But the more I think about it, the more I am filled with dread. I can’t imagine…
“We already kinda suspected that, so what else is new?” Jess always did know me best.
“She drugged Cody.” The room went silent.
“What do you mean?” Alexis asked as they both got up to join me on the bed.
I explained the situation and watched them both fly off the handle with rage, as any self-respecting female should. I admit to being surprised at first that such things could happen to men, but it’s not that far-fetched when you think about it. The intent behind the act is what has me boiling up inside, and even under Cody’s watchful eye, I’ve had plenty of time to think of Susie’s demise while pretending to study.
“I’m going to give her a taste of her own medicine.”
“What? You’re going to drug her?” Jess was shocked and maybe a little bit appalled.
“No, of course not, but I have to repay her.”
“I don’t get it. If you’re not planning on drugging her as well, how do you plan to get her?”
“How do you think Cody felt when she did that to him?” It’s one of the things that have been plaguing me since I heard. How helpless he must’ve been, how violated he’d have felt. He’s not the type to be victimized, not the type to let something like that stand, and for the life of me, I don’t understand why he hadn’t done something, hadn’t reported her. When I looked closer at the timing, I couldn’t help but think he’d done it because of me, because we’d met the very next day after it happened.
Knowing that, or believing it at any rate, only made me more irate on his behalf. If I’d had half this rage when I was younger, my enemies would be dust by now. I guess it’s easier fighting someone else’s battles than facing your own.