Page 9 of The Blackmail of Denise Randall

And so on. Always the whispers of how my life should be perfect because I’m so pretty. Yes, wealthy and good looks, I’m just the total package. Also included in the package is a front row ticket to the shitshow that is the Randall family. My life is a disaster. Maybe it wouldn’t have been if I’d had chosen the right friends.

Instead of transferring to the private high school, like her brother Luke did when he became a freshman, Isabelle chose to stay. I should have been flattered that she gave up a private school for the sole purpose of torturing me for four years of my life. I guess you could say she’s my number one fan, not. My reputation and social life died right along with my brother. I lost everyone and all control over my life. I had played basketball and soccer, but Isabelle was so hard on me and then turned the entire team against me. I had no one at school, no teammates or friends to turn to. Despite having a loving family, they were distracted. The one thing I could control was how well I did academically. To help me achieve perfection in all my courses, I started using a variety of prescriptions used for anxiety and ADHD.

“Denise?”

I lightly shake my head and focus back on Doctor Hall. “I was…thinking. I’m sorry.”

“Are you taking any prescriptions? Your parents said no, but…” He leaves the sentence hanging in the air.

All the emotions from today break through and my wall crumbles. I cry uncontrollably and I’m surprised when I feel two strong arms around me. I feel his fingers run through my black, silky hair. “Shh. It’s okay. Talk to me.”

So I do. I tell this stranger about my sister—which he probably already knew about. I tell him about my brother—which he also probably already knew about. I tell him what everyone doesn’t know already. The ripple effect all of that had on every aspect of my life. The guilt I carry for being angry that my life was turned upside down when Alice returned. I was so pissed at my graduation party that I still don’t know how Noah proposed. Not really. I didn’t hear it directly from her. She’s my sister, I should have asked her. I should be excited for her and celebrating. My pride won’t let me apologize, though. I admit to Doctor Hall my worst secret. The weight of shame I feel for being embarrassed when people talked about Landon being gay makes breathing so damn difficult some days. I’m not ashamed of him, I loved him—I still love him—but I’m so fucking insecure that I don’t have enough backbone to tell people to shut up. My brother might have been gay, but I don’t know. This is why he probably didn’t confide in me. I would’ve worried more about assholes at school than the tender soul that was Landon Randall. When Trent announced he was a father, I was a complete little shit. Once again, I cared more about people who already hated me than the people who love me unconditionally. What’s wrong with me?

“Hey, shh, it’s okay. You’re how old?” He looks at my chart. “Nineteen, almost twenty.” He leans his face close to mine. Doctor Hall really is handsome for an older man. I wonder how old he is? He smells amazing, which is surprising, since he is in a hospital all day. I figured he’d smell like bleach.

His hand takes mine, and it’s so warm and strong. “You’re so young, Sweetheart. You’re growing and maturing. We were all like that in high school. The real test is who grows out of it.” I feel his fingers gently squeeze mine. “And it sounds like you are.”

“But he’s gone. And I can’t say sorry.” My voice breaks.

“He knows.”

The door opens, and Doctor Hall quickly stands and removes the warmth of his body and hand from me. The nurse smiles and following behind her are my parents who seem much more put together.

Apparently, I got off lucky with only a broken arm, a minor concussion, and a sprained ankle. Isabelle hadn’t been driving that fast when she hit me, which also stands to reason she could’ve stopped. My parents call to let Alice and Trent know I’m being discharged and coming home. The nurse brings me my discharge papers and a wheelchair. As they are wheeling me out, Doctor Hall catches up to us. He shakes my parents’ hands and then leans down to shake mine. He brings his other hand out of his pocket and eases a plastic bottle into my hands. With a wink, he walks away.

When my parents begin walking again and their backs are turned, I look up at the nurse, who is looking at her phone as she pushes me with one hand. Coast is clear.

In my hands, I hold my prescription bottle with the name Crystal Hrissikos. I see a piece of paper rolled inside. I open the bottle and slide out the paper, careful not to spill my pills.

Along with his business card. He knew those pills weren’t mine, but he still gave me a prescription for a refill in my name. Interesting.

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