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Content Warning: This chapter includes a drink-spiking and non-consensual situation. Please read with care.

𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐭

William was still talking.

Something about a merger at his firm, some deal that apparently "everyone in the industry was watching closely," and I nodded at what I hoped were the right moments while my brain quietly checked out somewhere around the second course.

"...and that's when I told the board, if you want results, you have to be willing to take risks."

"Right," I said. "Makes sense."

It did not make sense.

I had no idea what he'd actually said for the last two minutes.

He kept going, moving from work straight into his life story, some tidy highlight reel about private school and study abroad and a gap year backpacking through places I'd never had the money to visit.

Every sentence somehow circled back to how impressive he was, delivered with the kind of easy confidence that usually meant someone had never once questioned whether people wanted to hear it.

I hated it.

Not him exactly.

Just his type, those who acted polished and talked at me instead of to me. The kind of guy who probably referred to his own accomplishments in the third person at some point in his life and didn't see anything wrong with it.

Katherine, this is who you set me up with? I was going to have a serious talk with Katherine.

I checked the time on my phone under the table, and it seemed like the universe was against me. Just Forty minutes in, when it felt like four hours.

"You alright?" William asked, his head turned slightly.

"Yeah, fine." I forced a smile. "Just tired, long day at work."

"Coaching, right? Katherine mentioned the hockey team." He took a sip of his water, as he stared at me.

"That's right."

"Must be exhausting, dealing with a bunch of college kids all day." You have no idea, I thought while picturing Malakai's face for reasons I refused to examine right now.

"It has its moments," I said instead.

He launched into another story, something about his own college hockey days, some intramural league that apparently didn't count for anything compared to real athletics, and I felt something in my chest tighten with exhaustion.

I needed a minute.

"Excuse me," I said, already standing. "I'm gonna use the restroom."

"Take your time."

I did not take my time getting there, I closed the door behind and gripped the edge of the sink and stared at myself in the mirror.

Okay Beckett, think.

I needed a lie to leave this hell of a dinner. There's no way, I'll sit there for another minute while listening to him brag about his achievements.

Dude got nothing to talk about, if not himself. If I could lie with a team emergency, that could work. Somebody got hurt, needed me at the rink but then again it's already night and I should be off duty hours ago.

Or should I go with a family thing? Simpler, less likely to invite follow-up questions.

I splashed a little water on my face, straightened my collar, practiced the apologetic expression in the mirror a couple times until it looked convincing enough.

“Something came up. So sorry, we'll do this again sometime” I said to myself while staring at my reflection in the mirror, trying to get into character. I headed back toward the table, already rehearsing the exact wording in my head.

William looked up as I approached, and there was already a glass sitting at my spot that hadn't been there before, something amber colored, ice cubes catching the light.

"I ordered you a drink," he said, sliding it toward me. "Figured you could use one after the day you've had."

"I'm actually about to head out," I said. "Something came up, I should—"

"One drink." His lips curved in a smile, while his eyes were convincing."Come on. One for the road, then you're free to go."

I glanced at the glass, then glanced at him. Didn't want to make a scene over something this small.

"Fine, one." I picked it up and drank, it's the least I could do.

"Good, right?" William asked, looking at me like he was about to start another conversation about this brand of drink which I probably would be dead out of boredom by the time he finishes.

"Yeah." I set the glass down. "I should really get going though."

Grabbing my bag and giving the best polite smile I had, I stood and it felt like the room spun a little like that one glass had made me tipsy.

I gripped the back of my chair.

"You okay?" William asked, already standing too, already closer than I wanted him to be.

"Fine, just stood up too fast." I said, already moving, already reaching for my jacket on the back of the chair, missing it the first time and grabbing air instead. "I have to go.”

"Let me walk you out."

"I'm fine." I wasn't fine.

I could feel it now, whatever it was, spreading slowly inside of me and my thoughts starting to slide sideways whenever I tried to hold onto one for more than a second.

Whiskey couldn't make me like this, I've had my fair share of drinks to know that I could handle my own weight and right now, it's like….I don't know how to explain it.

I pushed past him and headed for the door, walking faster than my legs currently wanted to cooperate with, focused entirely on putting one foot in front of the other and getting outside before whatever this was got any worse.

The cold night air kissed my face the moment I stepped out, and for like three seconds I was fine. I struggled to make my way to my car, fingers fumbling for the door handle as I cursed why the door wasn't opening till I realized it was the wrong car.

I stumbled sideways, catching myself against a stranger's bumper, breathing hard and trying to remember which row I'd parked in. My phone…I need my phone to call an Uber or Katherine to come pick me up.

I pulled it out of my pocket, but it fell on the floor.

Shit!

My legs finally gave out.

I slid down against the side of a car that wasn't mine, and tried to reach for it but my hands felt heavy. Eventually I gave up, and sat on the floor.

“Beckett? Are you okay?” I looked up and saw William’s face that looked like he was worried.

“I am fineeeeee.” Dragging the end while grinning from ear to ear, the next minute I was pulled up on my feet though it was still wobbling.

He gripped my ass, as his head came close to my neck. “You smell nice, God you're so perfect.”

I wanted to push him away because he was being creepy right now, but he gripped my hand and held it in place as his lips kissed my neck before muttering.

“Don't resist me.”