Twisted Circles (Secret Society 2)

Will and Wolf pulled us out slowly. I felt sore everywhere, and after a few steps toward the main house, my knees began to weaken. I stopped walking and held my knees as I breathed.

“Go ahead. I’ll catch up.” I put a hand up.

“We don’t leave people behind.” Adam walked back over to me and lifted me into his arms.

He carried me to the house, gave me Gatorade and food, and then carried me up the stairs to my bedroom. I couldn’t stop thinking about our conversation or the possibilities between us.

Chapter Eighteen

It was five twenty-three when I got to The Institute, and because of that, the valet guys were packing up and not taking any more cars. I left mine up front and walked inside without a second glance their way, wondering if this was how Stella did it. I was wondering a lot about Stella after my conversation with Aisha. Did she really have such a bad attitude? I knew I had one, but even I had my limits and would never scream at Karen in front of people, and I definitely would never scream at a stranger for no reason like she did to Aisha.

I bypassed my usual steps of checking in and waiting for Dr. Debbie Maslow. Instead, I barged straight into her office, but found it empty. I’d wait. Debbie didn’t leave this building until well after six and I knew she’d be back in no time. I shut the doors behind me and walked in. Her office was massive and unlike Neil’s, hers looked like something that belonged in a museum. A larger than life portrait of her grandfather hung over a fireplace behind her desk. He was wearing a white doctor’s coat and smiling in the painting. It was one of those things that always made me stop and stare. His blue eyes seemed compassionate and his expression was soft.

According to Debbie, who normally shifted attention away from her personal life but was always willing to talk about her grandfather, he was one of the best human beings to have ever lived. He was smart too. Both Debbie and Neil were direct descendants from two of the greatest minds in psychology, and therefore, were basically royalty in the psychology world. Not that either one of them would ever boast about it. The only reason I knew was because I’d done my own research on them when I got old enough to have questions that went unanswered by Karen. The door opened behind me and I turned to find a surprised-looking Debbie walking in.

“Did we have an appointment today?”

“No. I hope you don’t mind my being here at this time, but I didn’t know where else to go.”

“Of course not, Sweet Pea.” She signaled for me to take a seat. I walked around her desk and sat in my usual chair, and she took her own seat beneath the portrait. “What’s going on?”

“You look tired.”

“I am tired.” She let out a laugh. “Belinda had a five a.m. meet this morning and I had to drive them. Then I got a flat tire on the way back so I had to move all of my appointments down an hour. Let’s just say I’ve had better days.”

“Ouch.” My eyebrows rose. “Is she still doing well with that crew stuff?”

“Well enough to be offered a scholarship.” Debbie grinned. “She’s attending Ellis in the fall.”

“That’s amazing.” I smiled. I’d met Belinda a few times and liked her so much.

“So, what brings you here?”

“I’m having trouble remembering what happened to me last weekend.” I blurted out the words and watched her reaction. She had none.

“Okay?”

“I was here on Friday for a cocktail event.”

“Yes, I know. We spoke.”

“We did?”

“For a long time. We talked about Schitt’s Creek and how Belinda and I love it and you said you’d binged it with Aisha.”

“Was I drunk?”

“You seemed fine.” Her brows pulled in slightly. “You don’t remember any of that?”

“No. At all.” I gnawed on my lower lip for a beat. “And Aisha said I embarrassed her and yelled at her in front of everyone.”

“When was this?”

“Right before the event was over.”

“I must have stepped out before that happened.”

“When was the last time you saw me?”

She tilted her head slightly and looked at a spot on the bookcase beside us. “You said you needed to use the restroom and I said I was leaving, so we walked together.”

“The restroom in the lobby?”

“I’m not sure. You took the elevator up with me, I had to get my purse and keys, and then, well, I’m not sure where you went.”

“I’m not sure either.”

“There was a storm that night. The drive home was a pain.” She blinked at me. “What was the last thing you remember?”

“Nothing. I remember waking up here on Sunday morning.”

“Here?” Her eyes widened. She leaned forward and powered up her computer. “Who discharged you?”