Her Escape

Chapter 23

No

"Nothing haunts us like the things we don't say." – Mitch Albom

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"I need you to watch Olivia tonight."

"Jesus!" I shrieked, nearly losing my balance and falling back on my ass. "Can you not sneak up on people?"

"You're in a room full of mirrors," Chase scoffed, scanning the room. "How did you not see me coming?"

"Because I didn't." I glared up at him, setting the paper towels and Windex down. Truth be told, I was distracted and I didn't expect anyone to come into the dance studio. There wasn't a class scheduled for the rest of the day, and the only other person who uses the room is Scarlett and she was off today.

"You need to be more aware of your surroundings." He narrowed his eyes in annoyance.

"Did you come in here for something?" I asked, pushing myself up from the squatting position I was previously in.

"Olivia." He nodded. "I need you to watch her tonight."

"Why?"

"Because I said so." Chase snapped before turning on his heel.

"Take me with you." I blurted before I could stop myself.

"What?" He stopped in the doorway, whipping his head back.

"I want to go with you tonight." I repeated, this time my voice firm. I wasn't an idiot – today was Friday and the only reason Chase needed a babysitter was so he could go off to his secret scheduled fight. "I want to watch you fight."

"No." Chase deadpanned.

"Yes!"

"No."

"Yes." I continued to hold his gaze. "I can do this all day, and by the looks of it you have somewhere to be."

"I am not taking you with me." Chase shook his head. "I need you to –"

"Olivia is at a sleepover tonight." I cut him off.

"What sleepover?" He frowned, eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"At Catherine's." I rolled my eyes. I don't know what was up with him lately, but he had been acting weird – weirder than usual at least. He barely said two words to me when he saw me, and he was being short with just about everyone around him.

"The answer is still no." His eyes slowly scanned my face one last time. "Have a night to yourself, do whatever the fuck it is you typically do when you're alone."

He didn't give me a chance to retort before disappearing upstairs. "Asshole!" I glared at the space he was previously occupying, bending down and picking up the Windex and paper towels I had previously set down.

.........

"I'm ready." I announced as soon as Chase stepped out of his room that night. You see, for the most part, he was a creature of habit – always left around the same time each Friday night.

"For?" He quickly glanced at me, slipping on his shoes.

"I'm coming with you." I answered. 

"Like hell you are." He scoffed, pinning me with a harsh glare.

"Yes, I am." My glare matched his own.

"Lexie," Chase growled. "Get out of my fucking way. I don't have time to play games with you tonight."