Page 44 of Drawn to You
Before I know it, I finish the whole plate except a few pieces of broccoli. “I’m full,” I say to Andrew after gulping down some water. “And I’m drowsy.”
“Okay.” He wipes my mouth with a piece of napkin and moves the table away. And then he tucks me. “Good night, Britt.”
Despite the drowsiness, I giggle. “Good night, Dad!”
He chuckles and leans down to press a kiss on my forehead. And then he sits next to the bed and holds my hand until I blackout.
When I wake again, it’s late morning. The sun is shining fiercely outside, and Andrew is sitting in a chair reading on his phone.
I resist the urge to call to his attention and watch him instead. My head still hurts a bit, but my memory is back. Everything that happened last night becomes crystal clear in my mind, and every detail is torture to me now. I recall how I got in Mason’s car and how he took me to his house, and what he did to me in the guesthouse. I remember he was unbuttoning my shirt and I couldn’t fight back… If Andrew hadn’t arrived in time, what would have happened to me? Oh, God! I cover my face with my hands.
My stir must alarm Andrew because he comes over right away. “Are you okay, Britt?” he asks while holding my hand and moving it away from my face.
“I’m fine,” I say and open my eyes to meet his.
He looks sleepy, and his stubble is longer than usual, but he’s no less handsome.
“Why’re you crying? Does your head still hurt?” he wipes my tears with the back of his hand.
I grasp his hand and hold it tight. “I’m sorry to cause you trouble, Andrew!”
“But it isn’t your fault! The asshole tricked you.”
“I’m stupid,” I say, sniffling. “I shouldn’t have trusted him. You warned me so many times against the guy, and I didn’t listen.”
“No, you aren’t stupid,” he says, stroking my palm. “You’re just too innocent. You don’t know how bad some people are here in a big city. This isn’t a small town like Clover Valley. People don’t care about the consequences of their action here, especially rich, powerful ones.”
It’s true. One reason I got in Mason’s car was because I didn’t think he would put his reputation at stake because he was a celebrity. But I was so wrong. Recalling the fact that Mason is a famous person makes me cringe again. The whole world might know about my blunder now. Oh God. What a mess I’ve made.
I stop crying and ask in a shaky voice. “I hope it isn’t on the news?”
“No, it isn’t,” Andrew says, smoothing my hair. “Don’t worry. He isn’t that big a star anymore.”
Thank God. I wouldn’t want the entire world to know about my stupidity.
“Where is he?”
“He’s in the hospital, too. I’ve beaten him up pretty badly,” Andrew says with a smirk. “But he’ll go to jail soon. I’ll see to that. He hasn’t admitted drugging you yet, but I’ll let the cops know about the bubble gums. I don’t care if he’s got a big-shot lawyer. He won’t get away with this.”
I nod, but I’m filled with worries and guilt. It’s all my fault. Now Andrew has to go through all the dreadful legal processes. “Is it necessary?” I ask. “I mean, as you said, he didn’t get to do much to me. And since you injured him too, wouldn’t he sue you back?”
He shrugs. “Maybe, but I don’t care.”
“No, Andrew, please,” I grab his arm. “I don’t want you to get in more trouble, and I don’t want to make a big deal of it. Maybe we could just leave it. He’s gotten what he deserves.”
He clenches his jaw and doesn’t speak for a second. “Let’s think about it later. Now, are you ready to go home?”
I blink, trying to decide what he means by home. And then I recall my nightmare of an apartment and sigh.
“Let’s go to my house, please,” Andrew says.
I smile at him gratefully and nod. “Okay.”
He grins and helps me to sit up.
As soon as we get in Andrew’s car, he says, “Dana will be here tomorrow.”
“Did you tell her what happened?”
