Page 74 of Chasing After You

“What just happened… I don’t understand…”

I nodded, sliding the cloth down his abdomen. “I just did a little training on your body. That’s all.”

“But I fell asleep on the bed, so why was I over there? And why does my whole body feel so sore? And why do I feel all out of it and thirsty?”

I clicked my tongue. “I just gave you something to sleep. That way, I could train you for longer than if you were awake.”

He frowned, eyes downcast. “You… gave me something?”

“Rohypnol.”

“Ro—what?”

“Roofies.”

Josh cringed, his mouth wobbling. “T-the date…” he lowered his voice, “r-rape drug…?”

“Oh, angel. Don’t think of it that way. I would never do something like that to you.”

“But—butyou did…” he said softly. “Why—no… Can you just help me to my room, please? I need some time alone.”

Fuck.

“Of course, sweetheart.”

19

Josh

“Feeling okay?” Dorian asked from the doorway.

“Yeah.” I didn’t look up at him, keeping my eyes forward, locked on the TV screen in front of my bed.

The low chatter from the game show I was watching filled the uncomfortable silence. Dorian had become increasingly anxious ever since this morning. I could tell in the careful, soft way he spoke, the shuffling feet, and the near-constant questions about how I was feeling.

I was at a loss for what to do.

I hated seeing him like this, but on the other hand, he deserved the cold shoulder I’d been giving him. He had lulled me into a false sense of security, and immediately ripped it away.

“Okay…” he said dejectedly. “Just text or yell if you need anything. I’ll be just down the hall.” His footsteps receded.

“Dori,” I called. The footsteps paused, then quickly returned to the doorway.

“Yes?” he asked with an almost child-like excitement, like a kid who was waiting for his parents to unground him.

“I just wanted to ask if you could close the door, please?”

His disappointment permeated the air, making the older brother in me want to apologize and make him feel better. But, for right now, I needed to try my best to ignore that and focus on myself.

“‘Course,” he sighed, pulling the door shut and leaving me alone with my tangled thoughts.

He’d already apologized countless times, claiming he had lost control. I didn’t think that was true, and I also didn’t think he was actually sorry. It felt less like he thought his actions were wrong, and more like he was saying sorry just to regain my affection.

There was something seriously wrong with my little brother, and I wasn’t sure how to fix it.

I mean… there was certainly something wrong with me as well.

I’d set a horrible example by forgiving him almost instantly for the whole stalking thing. He probably saw me as a pushover. I was sure that his anxiety today was because he’d assumed I would just let him get away with what he did, and now I was acting differently than planned.