Page 16 of Shielding Rosie

“Yeah, bathroom,” I manage to get out.

“You can use the one in the guest room here.” He motions to a door not far away, and I start to protest, but he’s already helping me inside.

“Seriously, Nathan? Now you’re going after high school girls? Get it together.” The sound of that voice is so familiar.

“Why don’t you go have another drink, dear. Maybe a few of your pills while you’re at it.”

I blink, trying to clear my vision, and that’s when I see that Nathan is speaking to Mrs. Porter. That’s his wife. My teacher. Oh god. My thoughts are slow to come together as Nathan pushes me past her and into a room.

The door falls closed behind us, or maybe it’s me that’s falling.

Chapter Twelve

TATE

“Thanks for coming, Captain,” Jack says as he puts his arm around my shoulder.

I want to think that Jack has had a true change of heart, but something doesn’t sit right with me. I glance back in the direction Rosie was taken, and I want to go get her and leave. Seeing half these guys playing beer pong and acting like idiots doesn’t make me want to stay. It’s not my scene, and it never has been.

“Have a drink.” Jack pushes a plastic cup in my hand, and I stare down at the red liquid.

“Nah, I’m good.” I shake my head and try to give it back to him.

“Don’t worry, there’s no alcohol. We know you don’t like to party.” He says it in a way that makes it sound like a bad thing, but I don’t care. I’ve never cared what other people thought, and it’s the reason I don’t follow him around like a dog.

“You made it!” Shaun comes out from the crowd and gives me a half hug, half slap on the back. “Come watch me play beer pong.”

“I’m not staying long,” I tell Shaun, but Jack cuts in.

“Don’t worry about Shaun, he's just pissed Desha is the new wide receiver.” Jack cackles at his own joke, but I see Shaun roll his eyes and try not to react.

“What’s he talking about?” I ask Shaun, but he shakes his head.

“Nothing, she’s a free agent. As am I.” He emphasizes the last part just as a girl that I’m pretty sure is a junior walks between us. He stares at her ass and licks his lips. “Speaking of, I think it’s time I try out some new recruits.”

Shaun takes off before I can say anything else to him, but Jack is there being all buddy-buddy again. “Come on, hang out with us. Enjoy your drink.” He keeps looking at my cup as he sips his own.

Something about this feels wrong, not only because Rosie isn’t with me, but Jack isn’t my friend. He’s never been my friend, and I know the only reason he would pretend to be one now is to get something. Maybe it’s better that I know what’s happening instead of running out of here. What would happen if I took Jack head on?

Bringing the cup to my lips, I pretend to take a big gulp and swallow. When I’m finished, I hold the cup close to me so Jack can’t see inside. I must have done it well enough because his eyes light up when he thinks I’ve drunk some of the punch. The way he’s looking at me tells me all I need to know. Something is in this fucking drink.

A couple of other teammates come over, and Jack goes into ultra bro mode. While they’re all distracted with taking shots, I see a plant nearby and secretly pour my drink into it before Jack has a chance to notice.

I’m careful to stay close to him and not react, but it doesn’t take long for him to start watching me closely. Soon enough, he sees that my cup is empty, and he’s practically giddy.

“Did he drink it all?” Someone I don’t recognize comes over, and Jack nods eagerly.

“You want to sit down?” Jack asks me, and I nod, pretending to be a little wobbly. “Right here, big guy. Go ahead and take a little nap while you’re at it.”

I sit on the couch, and Jack starts talking to the stranger again, but I pretend not to notice.

“Are you sure you gave him enough?”

“Yeah, it’s enough to take down a horse.”

“And it will show up on a drug test, right?” Jack asks the guy.

“Yep. One random screening, and he’s done for.”

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