It didn’t go well,I begin.
Vik drove you here!Jordan exclaims.How is that not good?
I inhale a big dose of backbone.This is a long story, and I’d like to tell it uninterrupted.
Everyone nods, and Jordan mutters an apology.
When I went up to talk to Viktor at the party, he told me he wasn’t interested.Just like the night before,I add for emphasis.
Angelica shakes her head.There’s no way.I saw the way he watched her.And then he touched her.He’s totally into her.
Des shushes her, and I continue.He told me to leave him alone.And it was pretty upsetting to be turned down in such an insulting way.
What were his exact words?Des asks.
Something like, ‘Isn’t it past your bedtime, little girl?’
Mia sucks in a breath.What a dick!
I nod.I wanted to leave right away, but I didn’t have my phone, so I had to find Angelica first.
I look at her, but she avoids meeting my eyes.
I ran into this frat boy, Dougie, that Angelica and I had met earlier.When I asked him where she was, he claimed she would be right back.And he insisted on getting me a drink and helping me search.
I fix my eyes on Angelica.He put something in my drink to knock me out.And then he took me upstairs to a bedroom.
Oh my god, that was you?I heard the campus cops were there,Jordan exclaims.
Mia slides closer to me on the couch and strokes my arm.Are you okay, Evie?
Yes.Nothing happened, but that was pure luck.Viktor saw us, and he could tell something wasn’t right.He and some of his teammates came after us and pulled me out of the room, even though I was already passed out.And they looked after me until this morning, and then Viktor brought me here to get my stuff.After that, I went to the hospital to get fully checked out.
Oh my god, you poor thing!Des is completely shocked.
I look at Angelica again.She’s surprised, but I suspect she might have known something already.
Des turns to her.You were supposed to be looking out for Evie.What happened?
She shrugs.I saw her and Vik together.I could tell he was into her.In fact, I’m still sure he is—no matter what he said.I didn’t think I had to babysit her after that.I figured that they’d hook up.
My stomach churns at her casual dismissal.At the very least she should have checked in with me and returned my phone.Was she jealous when she imagined I had succeeded in attracting Viktor?
Did you even look for me?I ask, my voice high and reedy.
Oh, honestly, you are such a baby.Vik’s right about that part, anyway.Then she flounces out of the room.
Des shakes her head.Evie, I’m so, so sorry that this happened.Sorority sisters are supposed to look out for each other.And I should have asked Angelica more questions when she got home.She just said that you and Vik were together.And when you never answered my messages, so I assumed you were busy.
Well, I was busy being passed out.And I didn’t have my phone.I’m okay, but it could have so easily gone the other way.I’m not excusing Angelica or Dougie; I’m only grateful that my life wasn’t ruined by that one night.
There’s a heavy silence in the room.Then Jordan breaks in.Not to be nosey, but do you know exactly who on the hockey team rescued you?
Well, I didn’t actually see them, but I was told it was Viktor, Antoine Côté, Jack Sinclair, and Roy Matsumoto.Which reminds me that I still need to thank Jack and Roy.
Jordan coos,Oh my god.Only the four hottest guys on the team.
I can’t help but laugh at her reaction.As if it matters who rescued me when I was unconscious.But my laughter breaks the tension, and the others join in.
