Tackling Her Obsession with the Tight End

Chapter 13: Girl Time

Sarah

I check my outfit again before I leave. It's a green and white sundress with a black denim jacket on top. The weather is still warm enough even though it's almost October. It's another of Maggie's choices and I have to admit the color does a lot for my eyes. Before I can second guess myself, I turn away from the mirror and grab my purse. One of the exercises my therapist has had me working on for the last year. Not second guessing my appearance so much. I leave, making sure I check my surroundings well in case anything disgusting is lurking about. That guardedness won't go away anytime soon, even with my deadline looming. I'm doing my best not to focus on my countdown to freedom. Nor the fact I've barely heard from Liam since a few days after he took me home from the restaurant a week ago. He left me a note to call him as soon as I was feeling up to talking. I did and what he told me shocked me. I think back to our conversation as I start driving toward Nutville.

"Sarah, did you touch any alcohol last night?" His tone was non-accusatory.

"No! I never do after Noah's accident. I had a glass of sweet tea even though my coworkers were making fun of me. Why?"

"Because I took you by the hospital, and you tested positive for a low level of alcohol and traces of GHB. Basically, someone intended to take advantage of you. Any of your coworkers giving you issues?"

"No. I mean we aren't friends, but the group I went with have never been anything other than nice."

"Well, be careful, OK? Someone meant to harm you. I sent it to the police and they are going to question the bartender and waiters last night. They'll be calling you too."

I'd been shocked but thanked him profusely. The investigation turned up another girl that night who arrived around the same time I did. She had the same toxicology results after her friends took her to the hospital when they discovered her ex-boyfriend lurking in the bar. He went near the tea pitcher and blocked it from view. It appeared I was an unintended casualty. Once again, in the proverbial wrong place at the wrong time for me.

I didn't discount it though I did send Liam that information two days after we talked. He also said to be watchful regardless. I was a little disappointed that was the last time I heard from him. I pick up my phone at least three times a day to text him, but stop myself. Soon enough, I can confess the whole sordid mess. That's my mantra.

Nothing strange has happened since then and even Paul has stayed away from me. I got a reminder for the masquerade event from him but no unpleasant in-person visits.

I'm meeting Caylee and Violet for a girls' night and I can't stop smiling. We haven't had a true girls night in what seems like forever. Repairing the crack between Liam and I helped with Caylee too. She was trying hard not to take sides, but I know she felt bad for him over me. Which is as it should be. But I missed her and wish I could have been there more for her this last year while she and Noah were going through hell. I sent texts and we talked twice a week up until she found out about my date with Liam. Then, of course things were a little tense between us.

I park in front of Aunt Delaney's house. Caylee and Violet agreed to meet here, but I suspect all our parents are here. We could all walk to each other's houses at a young age. I step inside knowing I'm right when I hear my mother's laugh. It makes me smile. Mom has a big boisterous laugh you can pick out of any crowd.

I round the corner and hear my dad say "There's my talented beautiful girl." He's already wrapping me up in a hug and I lean against him smiling. Mom is right behind him and I wave to the others.

"You three going out to cause trouble like always?" Uncle Clint asks with a grin.

"Yep. Will you post our bail Dad?" Violet asks laughing.

"Nope. Pop posts all bail and then gives you three whacks with his mallet and a lecture the entire ride home. It assures you will never get caught again." He fires back with a big grin.

Aunt Sof nods, while laughing. "Always threatened Sean and Liam with that once they could drive and be independent. Never had any issues with them."

We tell everyone goodbye and leave. Caylee drives us to our favorite Italian restaurant by unspoken agreement. We love carbs like nothing else. After we order, Vi spots someone she knows and runs over to say hello.

Caylee reaches across the table squeezing my arm. "Missed you."

"I missed you Caycay. It hurt." I tell her honestly and she nods her eyes tearing up a little.

"You can always come to me Sarah no matter what it's about. I'd rather you do that than hide it from me."

I nod, knowing she means it. Caylee has a bigger heart than most. "I need to ask you something Caylee. Umm what night do the guys have late practice? Or is there more than one night?"

"You mean Liam?" She stares at me shrewdly.

"Yeah....I want to thank him for taking me home that night. Thought I could send him dinner on a night he has a late practice. I owe him."

She smiles slowly. "Tuesdays. They get home later that day. Like around seven. I can make sure Noah doesn't take him to dinner the night you have something sent over if you warn me in advance. Noah's been cheating on me frequently with my brother. And tonight they convinced Sean to make it a threesome." She playfully rolls her eyes.

I laugh at that and Vi joins in. "My husband is stepping out on me tonight. I knew he was dressed too nicely when I left the house."

"We should go confetti bomb their houses." I volunteer jokingly

"Could be worth the clean up on my end." Vi says laughing.

"Uh no, Liam would kill me. He's busy organizing all of his photography stuff and if it got damaged I don't even want to imagine the fire leaving his ears." Caylee grimaces.

I think back to the last gag gift I bought him. We used to exchange them at Christmas amongst the kids of Nutville. I got him a play fire extinguisher that shoots water. He'd given me the most deadpan look as he opened it. "Thanks Sarebear. I needed something to shoot Sean with when he misbehaves. Like those cat behavior modification ideas."

Sean had laughed. "You should have gotten him a hat that holds cooling packs to temper that hothead of his when he gets mad."

I tune back in to ask Caylee. "When is he going to make a photography book and publish it? He's so good. I could have used some of his shots for an ad recently. The ones he took in the old high school stadium a few years ago."

She nods. "I know. I keep telling him. Maybe I should steal them all and do it for him. He has a whole pile of saved disks like those in Nutville in his desk. He's just stubborn."

Until he isn't.....I think with regret. I close my eyes trying to keep my mind from going to what might have been if Paul hadn't shown up that night. The closer I get to the masquerade night, the more I think about him. Like my brain has decided it's done hiding away from my feelings for him. Our food shows up and Caylee talks to us more about her ideas for the wedding. I smile listening to her. She's so happy now. I know how badly she beat herself up for not catching onto Joey's underlying issues sooner than she did. But just like me, you ignore the little signs until they become big signs or they all slam together at once. You can't beat yourself up forever for missing it when some of them are so good at hiding it. But you can feel regret for introducing them to others in your life. Though Joey has undergone a 180 and is a beloved family member now. There's no chance of that happening for Paul.

“Going to the ladies room.” They nod at me as I stand up. As I’m washing my hands, someone steps up to the sink beside mine.

"Are you Sarah Larson?" I turn to stare at a girl with long blonde hair. She is smiling at me as she washes her hands.

I stare back at her warily. I saw her at the restaurant that night. She was watching me then. I won't lie because something tells me I shouldn't. "Yes."

She bobs her head checking her lipstick in the mirror. "I thought so. Having a girls' night?"

"Do I know you?" I ask suspiciously.

"I know you. My name's Piper. Nice to meet you in person finally. See you around Sarah." She turns and walks out, leaving me there lost and concerned.