The Suspect

chapter 28

The day I got suspended and kicked off the case was like I was living in a fever dream. I didn't realize nor did I process anything that happened. The first place I went after I got to know was my Dad's. The moment I walked through his doors he knew something was wrong and it hit me like a wave when I talked about it. I broke down in front of him and he made me feel strong like he always does.

Being back at the house; however, did not help me at all. I put up a front for Dad cause I know he doesn't want to move but at the same time I can't tell him off. He wasn't the one that found Brandon's body in the middle of the living room. No matter what I do, nothing can convince him to leave and there's nothing I can do but to suck it up and try and act like I'm happy to be there, which to a particular extent I am.

I spent two days at his and returned sometime during midnight the following night. Dad and I have been on a rocky path; something feels off. Hell, it's been off ever since mother dearest ditched us but after Brandon, our bond slowly started withering away and if I'm being honest, it's hanging on by a thread. He's my best friend, the only one that's stayed by my side but there's only so much of an act I can put on before I break.

I was going to stay in my room and do nothing today until Tatum showed up. I don't know why he's here, or maybe I do. Either way, my head is not in it right now, and I can deal with him when I'm back on track, which is probably going to be...never.

"I can't just forget," he brings me back to the present and for a second I forgot he was even there.

I sigh again, and my back hurts every time I breathe. Stupid nightmares.

"Look, just go before I explode, because I kid you not I am this close to impaling you like a bulldozer and I won't hold back," I pinch my fingers closer together showing him exactly how close I am.

"Are you serious?"

"Deadly," I firmly state.

"What can I do so that you'll tell me, huh? You do kinda owe me an explanation if we're technically speaking you know," the smart ass says and I am on the brink of explosion.

"Okay, fine but give me a minute and we'll talk outside," I put on my best, innocent face, and when he nods and leaves I sink back into my bed and scream into the pillow.

Two minutes of screaming later, I get up and change out of my sweaty clothes and walk out to see the whole house perfectly clean.

What the fuck?

I stop in my track as my eyes sweep every inch of my apartment, and widen in amazement. Did Tatum...?

"Did you do this?" I softly ask and I see a flicker of hesitation before he nods.

"Oh."

Fuck, did I really just say oh?

"Um, thanks," the way it came out did not sound any better but I really didn't expect him to clean up my apartment...and my room.

Oh my god, he cleaned up my room too. Fuck.

"So, are you going to fill me in on this little depression spree of yours?" he jokes and I flinch at his words.

"That's incredibly inconsiderate of you," I snap at his rude comment and he doesn't even do anything to defend himself.

"Follow me and I'll tell you," I mutter as I walk past him and towards the main door. I grab my keys and he follows me like a lost puppy. Bingo bitch.

As I'm opening the door he speaks from behind me, "Where are we going?"

I walk out and he follows me right out, and just when he's as far away from the door as possible, I jump back in and shut the door right in his face.