Page 80 of Fractured Fate

“Maybe,” Blaire said, but the frown marring her face spoke of her lack of faith in the statement. “Weren’t you considering quitting?”

“Let me guess… Riley?”

“No, you.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve talked to me and Riley about it a few times in the past month.”

Her hand at her side gripped the comforter beneath her. “I forgot,” she mumbled.

This wasn’t the first instance where she forgot something she’d done or said to someone. It seemed to get worse when things were unstable around her, but what could she do about it? The doctor already had her on medication. She didn’t want to make another appointment with everything happening.

Even if the mandatory student health plan covered the service, she didn’t want to waste a professional’s time when she couldn’t be open about what she experienced. She didn’t want to trigger a false diagnosis.

She knew she had depression. The symptoms were the same as before. She recognized the problem, but if she went and expressed further concerns about her cognitive functions, they might misdiagnose her when she didn’t reveal the whole story. She didn’t relish the idea of what that might mean.

“Do you need me to come up there? It’s summer break. I can stay with you.” Blaire’s eyes shifted up over the screen and her face fell. “I forgot about that,” she said. Her gaze shifted to the screen. Her expression looked pained with whatever thought crossed her mind. “I, uh… I actually can’t. I can’t leave.”

Charlotte didn’t ask her what would keep her from coming to stay with her. She didn’t have room for Blaire anyway, and she wouldn’t put her friend in that kind of danger. Aiden was here because of their agreement. She could stay only if she allowed him to stay with her. He was big, strong, and male. That would discourage her stalker—she hoped.

“That’s alright. There’s only one bed here, anyway, and the couch is too small to sleep on.”

“What?” Blaire’s eyes went as big as saucers. “Where’s Aiden sleeping?”

“Oh, well…” Her face screwed up, teeth sinking into her lip with her guilty smile. “Here. In the bed. With me.” She forgot Blaire had never seen her apartment. Still, she didn’t want to lie to her friend, so it didn’t matter.

The camera jerked about, and Blaire rose to her knees as she squealed, “What?”

Charlotte’s face heated, likely turning the same shade as the lingering cherry lowlights in her hair from when she colored it last.

“I can’t believe you’re sleeping together!” Blaire looked up. “Yes! She’s sleeping with him!”

A male voice spoke in the background. Lukas must have returned.

“We’re not sleeping together like that. Don’t be weird.”

Blaire lowered herself down, the camera losing its shaky quality. “Oh.”

“Don’t sound disappointed, either.” Charlotte rolled her eyes.

“I’m not!” Blaire laughed. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

The door rattled, making her spine stiffen and her breath catch.

“Charlotte? What’s wrong?”

“Someone’s here,” she whispered.

“What? Now? No.” Blaire’s voice sounded far away as fear tried to pull Charlotte under. “Someone’s there with her. No, not Aiden.”

Aiden.

“Crap. It might be Aiden,” she said with a shaky breath, her senses coming back to her.

She had given him a key to come and go freely, but completely forgot about it. He should be back by now, so it made sense.

“Charlotte?”