Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 32

***TRIGGER WARNING- drugging mentions***

Once in the car, AJ looked at Gwen again. She still looked pale.

"Honey, are you okay? I thought you were feeling better?"

"I was. I felt fine until after we got there. Maybe being sick messed with my sense of taste because my water even tasted off."

AJ gave her a look. "I don't know... I can see where you'd lose your sense of taste, but for it to taste different? That doesn't sound right."

"What are you thinking?"

"Maybe Sara... no, it couldn't be. Nate was with her the whole time. She wouldn't have been able to do anything."

"Becca and I have been talking and we think— well, Becca figured out that picture came from an alias account- Nancy Tremaine. Plus, she did cook for us the other night- food poisoning from her could be possible. Neither you or Nate got sick. But I did. Plus, her friend has already drugged me. Then there was that thing with Morgan— I just... I don't trust her at all."

AJ took Gwen's hand. "I've tried to stay out of it, because it's not my place. But I know your instincts are normally right, so I'll trust your instincts. If you say something's off, then I believe you, Honey." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

"Thanks. What can we do about it though? I know Nate isn't fully happy with Sara. Plus, he doesn't know about the picture yet. We need to tell him as soon as possible."

"Let's get you home and feeling better first."

They drove home hand in hand. Gwen closed her eyes and tried to rest while she could.

Once they were home, Gwen got changed and laid down. She still was nauseous, but had some color back in her. AJ laid next to her for a while, then got up when he heard Nate come home. He went downstairs to greet his friend.

"Hey. How is Gwen feeling?"

"She's okay for now. Still nauseous, but looks better."

AJ paused for a beat.

"Umm, I do need to talk to you about something though. Gwen had talked with Becca earlier today. Becca told us she found out where that picture originated from. An account called 'Nancy Tremaine.' Gwen told me Becca said it's an alias account, and there is nothing else posted to it. She and Gwen think it could be Sara. She was the only one in that room with you, and it was posted that Sunday morning. I just— we just want you to be careful around Sara. She doesn't have a good track record around here."

Nate, looking stoic, sighed. "I'll have to talk to her about it. Things have been off since we had the last talk. She has gotten better, but it has seemed fake. Like she's trying too hard, covering something up. A lot is stacked against her."

"Yeah. I mean, I'm not going to meddle in your love life. You do what is necessary. But I would just consider the rest of the family." AJ took a deep breath. "Gwen has now gotten sick the past two times she's been around." AJ looked down, furrowed his brow, then looked back to Nate. "Was Sara alone at any time tonight at the restaurant?"

"No I was— wait. After we got seated, we ordered waters. I had something on my hands, like the table had recently been cleaned but it wasn't fully dry, so I went to the restroom to wash them off. But there wasn't anything she could have done in that timeframe. I was gone maybe a minute tops."

"But that is enough time to do something. It only takes moments to put something in a drink. Gwen did say her water tasted off. Sara very well could have put something in there."

"Let's not get carried away. There is no proof Sara has drugged Gwen. We only know of Damien doing that a few weeks ago."

"You're right, I'm sorry. I just find it weird that Gwen is fine all day, then all the sudden she drinks water from a restaurant and feels sick again. You know how protective I am over her."

"I do, and I'm protective over her too. She's like my little sister." Nate sighed. "I need to talk to Sara to see what she says about all this."

"I'm going to go back up to Gwen." AJ paused a moment. "You're like my brother, Nate. I don't like to see you hurt. But if you aren't careful, you will be hurt again." AJ turned and walked up the stairs.

Nate pondered for a bit. He knew things had been strained between Sara and him. She never seemed who she really was. Any time he thought things were getting better, it would just fall apart. Is this how it will always be? Am I just destined to be alone?

Shaking his head, he knew he shouldn't go down that negative spiral. Going up to his room, he worked on his computer for a while.

While working, his mind drifted to Becca. He hadn't spoken to her for a few days. He hoped she was alright. He thought about their last in person interaction. Why did he  want to kiss her so desperately here lately? He was attracted to her, he knew that. He always had been. He tried pushing his feelings aside out of respect for her, but he knew he loved her. However Becca didn't feel the same way. The last time this was addressed, five years ago, she made that clear.

But he was with Sara. He liked her, but it wasn't love. There were too many questions up in the air when it came to her. He couldn't love her when he wasn't even sure she was truthful. She would never trust him because she was too jealous.

Sighing, he rubbed his face. Relationships were complicated. Deciding to turn in for the night, he shut down his computer and got ready for bed.