Chasing Innocence | ✓

24 | cruical decisions

After a long shift at the bar, I arrive back at the house only to find the three Patridge brothers sitting around the dining table. Empty cans litter the area and I roll my eyes.

"Fun night?" I mumble, my muscles aching as I walk further along into the kitchen. I fill myself a glass of water, gulping it down in one go.

"Actually," Xavier begins, "we've been waiting for you to get home."

I turn to the side, taking all of them in separately. Marco, Xavier and Brax. Brax who is playing with his beer can, not looking at me.

I push away the image of his arm brushing my thigh in his sleep. The way it made me bristle, but not from discomfort. I clear my throat, shaking away the thought. "Why?"

"We've been talking about Matthew and how we're going to find that damn steel pole," Xavier grins manically, raising his beer towards me before taking a sip.

I sigh, rubbing a hand over my face. "I never agreed to actually help. You know that."

"But you did say you'd think about it," Xavier points a finger at me. "So, let us persuade you."

I walk towards them, placing my bag on the floor as I take a seat at the table. I'm opposite Xavier, with Marco to my right and Brax to the left. "Firstly, if — and there is a serious emphasis on if — I decide to help, it's only because of Casey. Understood?"

"Of course," Xavier smiles, not listening to a word I'm saying. He doesn't care what my reasoning is, he just wants me in this mess one way or the other.

"Go on then," I yawn. "Persuade me."

Xavier points a finger gun towards Marco and I roll my eyes, resting my head on my hand as I lean against the table. I wait for Marco to wow me with their epic plan.

"Really it's simple," Marco shrugs. "We roll up, make sure no one is home, search the house, find the weapon—"

"You're extremely boring," Xavier deadpans. "You think that's going to persuade her?"

Marco glares at him, crossing his arms over his chest as he leans back in the chair. "You explain it then," he snaps.

Marco rises from the chair, all six-foot-four finding his way to the fridge. He pulls the door open violently, grabbing himself another beer.

"Pass me one?" I ask.

Marco rises a surprised eyebrow at me, his lip pulling up at the side. "Didn't peg you for the beer type."

"I do work at a bar," I deadpan, mumbling a thanks as he passes me one.

A can crinkles to my left and I watch Brax in my periphery as his knuckles tighten around it.

Xavier leans forward on the table, his hands entwined as he watches me. I try to focus solely on him and no one else. "We want you to be the getaway driver, first and for most."

"Of course," I mumble darkly, taking a long sip from the beer. It tastes bitter, burning my throat. I welcome it.

"It's a vital role," Xavier defends. "You've gotta make sure you're watching the house and that you've got us on speed dial."

"Mhmm," I mumble, taking another gulp. I finish the drink and Marco laughs, grabbing me another one without even asking.

Xavier's face drops, as he shakes a finger at me. "You don't think it's important?"

"I just think that anyone could play that part for you," I shrug. "I don't see why it has to be me."

Marco places the new can in front of me, cracking open the tab. "We can't bring in any outsiders for this job," he says. "It's too risky."