Deep Secrets, Deviants

Chapter 3

Chelsea

I'm relieved when the rest of the lunch goes by mostly smoothly, without another angry and hurt expression flash within Chase. The guilt eats at my heart. It's harder than I had first thought, though I have rehearsed this for weeks. The rest of the questions from Dad and Chase are mediocre and I'm able to answer simply enough, just by sticking closest to the truth. The only time I get nervous again is when Dad invites me over for dinner to meet his new wife and three other kids.

"By the way," he says, his soup bowl almost empty and my sandwich gone, "is there a particular reason you refused my offer to stay at my house?" He asks, raising a brow. I chuckle nervously, swallowing a fry.

"Well, believe it or not, Dad, I'm a little overwhelmed on my side. I mean, Linda sounds amazing, and I can't wait to meet my brothers and sister, but I don't want to cause trouble or feel like a burden in anyway."

"That's nonsense!" Dad says.

"That's what I said," Chase chimes in.

"I would love to come to dinner tonight, Dad," I quickly say. "And I want to get to know all the new people in my family, but I also want to stay with Chase until something else better happens to present itself." Dad smiles, nodding his head. I see his worn blue eyes glance up to the large clock that's above the bar where a few people sit.

"Oh, it's already one," he says, eyes widening. He quickly leaves the amount of money his meal cost plus tip on the table before moving to stand. "I've got to go back to work, but," he looks at me with determined eyes, a small smile on his face, "we are looking forward to dinner tonight." I lean over, kissing him on the cheek before he leaves. I turn to Chase.

"You're going to be there, right?" I ask him. He smirks at me, his deep ocean blue eyes teasing.

"Are you nervous to go by yourself, Chel?" He says.

"You know, I can punch a lot harder than what I did," I say, smiling. He chuckles before laying down enough money to pay for my meal and his water.

"Yes, I'll be there," he says, standing. I stand with him. "What will you be doing for the rest of the day?" He asks as we head towards the exit. I shrug my shoulders, glancing at the people around us.

"I thought I'd look around town, see what's all changed, jot down a few memories," I say as he opens the door for me. He doesn't follow me out. I turn to see him frowning at me with concern.

"Um..." he starts. I suddenly realize what he's worried about.

"Relax, Chase." He steps out of the little diner and walks me to where I parked my car. "It's broad daylight. What's the worst that could happen?"

"Um, you could get mugged, you could die," he says, and I laugh. "I'm serious, Chel," he says.

"Chase, I know this is a bad town, but I'm not going to die. Trust me," I say with strong confidence. He squints at me as if having trouble believing me.

"Do you have a weapon on you at least?"

"I have a taser hooked on my belt and pepper spray in my purse. I'm totally prepared to kick some ass," I say, smiling. He looks as if he approves.

"Alright. Just avoid fifth street, Orange Lane, that alley behind the post office, that old, abandoned museum, that dirt road that leads to the Rock... Oh, and please, whatever you do, do not allow yourself to be in the mall parking lot after dark. Every mother and their dog knows that's off limits come twelve o'clock. Oh! And steer completely away from Black Street." I can't help but laugh. I grab his shoulders and look directly into his eyes.