Cough Syrup (Zach Dempsey)

Chapter 30

Kat left this morning I was so happy that she was here, but it sucked that she had to leave. I knew I had a lot of shit to work on, I didn't tell her what happened at Bryce's party. I knew I wanted to start with Zach, but I need to close one door before I got there. I knocked on Monty's front door and waited it was opened by Monty once again sporting bruises

"Oh my god Monty are you ok?" I asked placing a hand on his arm

"I'm fine."

"Did your dad do this?" I asked

"Not this Zach did." He said motioning to his face

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. So what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk."

"Aw shit it sounds like your breaking up wth me." He said with a smile

"We're not together, you goofball." I said

"Come in." He said letting me inside I looked around the house was a little messy, that's when I noticed a picture on the wall it's was Monty, his dad, and his mom

"Where's your mom?" I asked

"Florida, with my grandparents she just 'couldn't take it anymore'"

"So she just left you? With him?"

"I wasn't leaving my whole fucking life is here."

"Monty you should-'

"What did you want talk about?" He asked cutting me off

"I like you Monty, a little more than I should, but I still have feeling for Zach."

"You've got to be fucking kidding me."

"Calm down please." I said taking his hand I could feel his anger

"Monty look at me." He sighed and looked at me

"You're my friend this is why I'm telling you this. It would not be fair, for us to take this any further with me still thinking about Zach all the time."

"Look if this is about what happened at Bryce's."

"it's not it's about me. It's about me being fucked up emotionally, and mentally. I just need you to understand." I said and he nodded

"I get it I don't like it but I get it. I really do like you Perri and I'm sorry for everything." He said placing a hand on my cheek, then he kissed me it was soft and sweet we pulled away

"I just had to get that out of my system." He said making me smile

"I should go." I said and he walked to the front door

"Monty if things ever get too heavy here, you're welcome at my house." I said and he nodded

"Thanks Perri."

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Today was Zach's first day back and I couldn't wait to see him. He texted me last night asking if I wanted a ride and I said yes

"Perri, where's your brother?" Mom asked stepping into the kitchen

"I don't know. "I shrugged fixing my lipstick

"You do remember that vanity you just had to have?" Dad asked and I rolled my eyes

"What ever." I said putting away my make up, just as Tyler walked into the kitchen carrying one of his many cameras. Just as the doorbell rang

"I got it." Dad said walking to the door. He came back two minutes later carrying two large envelopes

"What's that?" She asked as he opened them

"Perri and Tyler are being subpoena, to speak at the deposition for Baker lawsuit."

"What?"

"Honey calm down, I'll call our lawyer."

"What the hell?" She said taking the papers from him

"No way I'm calling Olivia." She said grabbing her cell

"No!" Tyler and I said together and she looked at us

"Alright I've had enough of this what is going on?"

"Nothing mom." I said

"Bullshit, you've both been keeping secrets and I'm sick of it! I need to know what's going on right now."

"Maria relax I'm sure this is just a formality, they're probably talking to everyone who knew Hannah."

"I don't care, I've been patient, I've gave you guys space. I know you guys are hiding something now tell me." She said and Tyler and I glanced at each other. Then my phone buzzed, it was Zach

"I have to go."

"No Perri sit down we need to talk about this."

"I can't Zach is giving me a ride, and he's outside."

"What about your brother?"

"Kyle's picking me up." He said

"See it's all worked out." I grabbed my bags and walked out the house were Zach was waiting

"Drive." I told him once I got in and he pulled off

"Did you get a subpoena?"

"Yeah Tyler too, my mom is freaking. What did your mom say?"

"She just thinks the Baker's are being dramatic."

"I told her I asked Hannah out once." He said and I felt my chest get tight, he grabbed my hand and kissed it.

"I'm sorry." He said and I just gave his hand a squeeze

When we got to school there was a weird tension in the air, Zach walked me to my locker we were talking about the deposition when Bryce came over

"Zach what's up man." He said to him then turned to me

"Looking good Perri." He said then winked at me. I was already regretting wearing a skirt today

"Nothing man, did you need something?" Zach asked him

"Yeah I was just looking for Justin.....have you talked to him?"

"Naw man, I haven't seen him or talked to him."

"I've been trying to figure out why he freaked out last night."

"I don't know Bryce you have to ask him."

"Alright tell him to call me if you hear from him." He said then he walked away, and I pulled my head out of my locker

"What was that about?"

"I'll tell you later." He said I closed me locker as the warning bell rang, we were headed to class when Marcus stopped us

"Hey we're meeting at Monet right after school, spread the word but no texting." He said

"No texting seriously?" I asked

"This is now bigger then all of us right now."

"We got served its public record now."

"Right so from here on out we can't be too careful." He said then walked away

What have we gotten ourselves into?