"Oh, you're into website design? I didn't know that," Trent said.
"I know you're starting a new job and all soon, but go ahead and show him your freelance work," I said.
Jasper nodded, his eyes cool. "Sure, sure. But how about a drink first?"
"Speaking of drinking, have you seen Owen?" I asked.
"Yeah, he does seem to be getting into the party spirit," Jasper said. "I think I saw him head outside. I thought he was chasing after you. Good thing he didn't see you two walking in together."
"Thanks," I said and turned around.
I stopped in the stairwell and considered my choices. I could just knock on the neighbor's door and confront him with my suspicions. He might break down and admit to calling the police and trying to frame Owen for drugs.
Or I could head back up to the party and continue asking Jasper's so-called friends how they met. He would catch on to me quickly, but that was the best way to force the strange situation to a head.
Maybe I could even ask Anya what she knew about Jasper. If he thought she was trying to make Owen jealous, he could have tried to involve her in his set-up plan.
I was halfway down the stairs again when I realized it did not feel right. Why did I believe anything that came out of Jasper's mouth?
I turned around and dove back into the crowded apartment. Owen's height made him easy to spot, but I could not see him anywhere. The only other place besides the bathroom that he could be out of sight was his bedroom. I headed down the short hall. His door was ajar and I pushed it open, calling his name.
"Owen?"
He was stretched out on his bed with Anya draped over him. Her black hair draped over their faces, but I could see what was happening. Owen's hands roved up her body then froze as my voice registered.
"Wait. Quinn? Quinn!" he called.
Anya sat up and smiled. She did not move out of the way and Owen fumbled to sit up around her.
"I thought you left," he said.
That was the last thing I needed to hear. I should have left. I should have gone home and left this entire mess behind me. Why did I keep thinking this was a good part of my life?
I rushed down the short hallway and into the crush of people in the main room. In a panic, I moved to the right so Owen could not see me. A group of Jasper's strange acquaintances were chatting by the windows and I slipped behind them. Owen dodged drunkenly out of the hallway and towards the door. My only thought was to make my way around to the kitchen. If he came back in, maybe he would assume I had locked myself in the bathroom and I could slip out.
The only wrench in my tearful plan was Trent. He met me in the living room. "Are you okay? What happened?" he asked.
"You are the last person I want to talk to right now," I told him.
Trent caught sight of Anya sauntering out of the bedroom. "No way. Please tell me he didn't."
"Didn't do what?" I skirted around a few more partyers and into the crowded kitchen.
Trent followed me and grabbed my elbow. "Tell me he did not cheat on you with that chick in the green dress."
"He's drunk. I don't know what I saw. Maybe he went to lie down and she kissed him," I said.
"Honey, no matter what, you know it’s not okay," Trent said.
"This coming from you?" I asked. I pushed past more people and slipped around to the wall near the entryway. If Owen came crashing back in, I could slip out without him seeing.
"That's why I came tonight," Trent said. "I get it. I was so full of myself that I thought I could do whatever I wanted. Then, you broke up with me and I used it as an excuse to go wild. Now it’s been long enough that it’s all worn off, like a giant hangover. I feel terrible. I want to make it up to you."
"You understand that now is not the time, right?" I asked. I blinked back my tears hard. I stood flat against the wall as if it was the only thing holding me up. I was not strong enough to elude Owen and get away from Trent.
"Please, honey, just let me be your friend," Trent said. He peeled my hands off the wall and kissed my knuckles. "What do you want me to do? Beat the shit out of him? Get you out of here? What?"
"Yes, please, just get me out of here. Without him seeing."