Page 170 of Choosing You

“Okay, if you’re not too tired.”

“I don’t care if I’m tired. I miss you. I never see you anymore.”

“We see each other as much as we did before Thanksgiving.”

“Maybe. But then I had five whole days with you and I got used to it.” He reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I think I developed a Jade addiction and now I’m going through withdrawal.”

I laugh. “Then you better stop by tonight.”

“It might be kind of late. There’s a storm coming and the coach said it could delay us getting back.”

“Oh, great. Now I’ll worry about you getting in an accident. Thanks a lot, Garret.”

“We won’t get in an accident.” His thumb rubs the top of my hand. “But it’s sweet that you’re worried about it.”

“It’s not sweet.” I take my hand back. “I just don’t want you to die. That’s all.”

My tone is both caring and hostile at the same time, which apparently he finds funny because he starts to laugh then pretends to be serious. “I’ll try not to die. I’ll text you updates along the way.”

“I don’t know how to text. Does that phone you got me do that?”

Now he can’t help but laugh. “Yes. Give it to me. I’ll show you.”

After my cell phone lesson, we go our separate ways. The snow is already falling as I head to class. I wouldn’t have even considered the slick roads if he hadn’t brought it up, but now I’ll be worrying all day.

During lunch, all I can think about is Garret being in a bus on those snow-covered roads. I don’t know why I’m so worried. I grew up in Iowa. We had heavy snowfall all the time and I never worried about Ryan or Frank getting in an accident But it’s different with Garret. Part of me still feels like something bad is looming just around the corner.

After dinner, I work on a paper for English. It’s not due until the last day of the semester but I want to get it done. The cell phone sits next to my laptop and I keep checking for messages but have none. Finally at 9, I get one.

Garret: We left a half hour ago. Had no cell reception in that town. Sorry!

I attempt to text back. I’m really slow. I’m probably the only person my age who has never done this before.

Me: What time do you think you’ll be back?

Garret: I’ll let you know when we get closer. Probably 11.

Two more hours of worrying? Great. I go back to my English paper. I get another text at 10 telling me the roads are getting better and not to worry. I still worry.

At 10:30, I see another one pop up, which reads: Be there at 11. Leave your door unlocked. Wait in bed. I’ll meet you there:)

What’s with the smiley face? That’s not at all Garret’s style but maybe he’s making a joke. I change into a long t-shirt to sleep in and get into bed. At 11:10, he’s still not here. I check the phone and notice he sent a text at 11:05 that reads: Back in town. See you soon.

A few minutes later, I hear him open the door.

“Finally,” I say. “I didn’t think you’d ever get here.” I turn away, waiting for him to snuggle in behind me. I feel him get into bed, but notice an odd smell. I know it sounds strange, but I know Garret’s smell. Even when he doesn’t have cologne on, I know it’s him. And this is not him.

I bolt up in bed, but a hand covers my mouth and shoves me back down. I feel a heavy body on top of me, covering me so I can’t move. And then I smell the stench of woodsy cologne.

“Hey, Ohio. Been waiting up for me?” In the dim light of my room, I see Blake’s face. It’s covered in this horrible, disgusting grin.

I try to scream but the sound is muffled by his large hand which is still held tight against my mouth. I feel like I can’t breathe. My heart is beating super fast and the tiny bit of air I can breathe in through my nose isn’t enough.

Blake’s arms are so long that’s he’s able to pin both of mine to the bed, while also covering my mouth. And his legs are so big and heavy that as much as I try, I can’t move my lower body.

I feel the fabric of his jeans against my bare legs and his flesh touching my inner thigh. His pants are undone and he has nothing underneath them. He begins grinding up against me, with only my thin panties between us.

I instantly remember all the self-defense moves Ryan taught me; make bony parts meet soft tissue. He told me that over and over again. I try to get my elbow free but can’t.

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