Falling For The Suspect ✔️

Chapter 14 ~ Chase

Chase's POV 

There is one thought and one thought only that stands out loud and clear in my head.

What the hell is this girl doing to me?

I mean I lied to her father, the detective who's currently hunting down any evidence that I'm guilty. What if he finds out I lied to him about this. He'll probably think I'm more than capable about lying and convincing them about not knowing anything more about the location of Brett.

"Shit" I mutter under my breath as I reverse out of Sage's driveway all too eager to leave. If our lie slips up I am in deeper than I am currently, and I can't let that happen.

As I approach my house there's a looming figure standing at my door banging a fist against the wood making it shake at the hinges. I frown wondering who it could possibly be. As I park the car I jump out and slam the door behind me, making the man turn around and face me. My eyes widen, and I take another look at the man in front of me. Why the hell was Brett's dad standing on my front porch?

"Chase," He all but yells as he sets off his long strides aimed towards me.

"Where the hell is my Son! This is your fault he's gone I swear if he doesn't come back soon, You're as good as dead!" He exclaims loudly.

"I know no more than you do Mr. Reed," I say looking him square in the eyes.

I take a moment to assess him the smell of alcohol fills my senses, a frown is etched into his features as if he's spent way too long frowning at people. But it's his eyes that catch me off guard, they hold a look of emptiness to them, the passion and fire that used to be there was gone taking away the brown hue as well. They were dull. Empty.

I look down, breaking eye contact, he has lost everyone around him in the space of a few months. He is on a rampage, looking for revenge.

"You liar!" He roars as he swings his fist which collides with my face, with a sickening thud.

I look back at him, there is an urge to swing back and hit him twice as hard. But I know better. There is no point, this is what he wants. He wants me to fight back, so then he can swing the blame back onto me. They are already watching me closely I don't need this at a time like now.

He watches me, his chest rising and falling, as he stares at me with a dangerous glint in his eyes. I stare back with a stoic expression, not giving him what he wants. A reaction from me. I try and hide a wince as I feel the throb begin to expand along my cheek.

"Leave before I call the police," I threaten. And watch as he looks around and then back at me, sizing me up.

"Watch your back Chase," He says before he gets into his car and speeds away. I couldn't shake the looming feeling that this isn't over, that it isn't the last time I am going to be seeing him around. He needed someone to blame. And he had finally found that person. Me.

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The Sun filters into the room, making me groan as I roll over. I'm not in the mood to get up, and I sure as hell am not in the mood for school. I get out of bed and walk into the bathroom, as I look in the mirror I see that the bruise has spread like ink along my cheekbone, colouring it in a mix of blue and purple. Great. Just Great.

I zone out throughout the classes my mind is buzzing mess about Brett and his whereabouts. The teachers were talking but It was just white noise in the background of my thoughts. There are whispers about what happened to me, and why I have a bruise colouring my cheek, but I can't bring myself to give a damn.

The lunch bell rings throughout the room bringing me back to earth. There is one certain Brunette that has also consumed my thoughts alongside Brett. And I was determined to find her. She has either been avoiding me or it was a random coincidence that our paths hadn't crossed all day.

As I walk into the cafeteria a silence falls upon the room. My scowl runs along the length of the room making people turn their heads as if they find their food now to be the most fascinating thing in the room.

I don't miss one pair of eyes in particular that linger on me just a fraction longer than the rest. Of course it's Sage, she is the only person that would have the courage to do that. I shake my head and let out a chuckle, my eyes moving to meet hers. Her eyes examine my cheek and then they move to meet mine silently searching for answers. I smirk and shake my head at her and watch as one of her friends grabs her attention, giving me one last glance she turns to her friend.

I walk up to her table aware that everyone is silently watching us. I stop behind her chair and watch as the few people at the table stop their conversation and stare up at me. Sage's shoulders go stiff as she turns and sees me standing behind her.

"Chase what are you doing here?" she says as blood rushes to her cheeks when she notices everyone staring, this girl is definitely not a fan of public attention.

"I need to speak with you," I say gruffly clearing my throat as my eyes wander around the girls at the table. Wishing they could just disappear, and leave Sage and myself behind.

"I errrr... okay yep," she says as she turns to get up from the table to follow me out of the room.

"No Sage it's ok, stay we need to go to the library to find some books on our assignment anyway," one of her friends rushes out giving Sage a reassuring smile.

Before Sage can object they are up and make their way towards the exit of the cafeteria. She glances back at me and gives me a small smile and gestures to the seat opposite her. I stroll around the table and take a seat.

"So, what did you need to talk about?" She says her eyes dancing everywhere but me, making me chuckle.

"How did it go with your father when you got home? Did he eventually believe you?" I ask watching her closely.

"Yeah he left it alone and didn't say much more on it," she says her eyes flickering over my bruise, she gives her head a shake as if persuading herself not to ask.

"Good," I say nodding my head "Meet me out the front of school tonight, I think its about time we finally worked on that project, don't you?" I say sending her a wink.

I watch as her eyes go wide and her cheeks once again flush pink.

"But I already told Dad I was coming straight home," she says sounding unsure.

"And I'm only free tonight sweetheart, so find a way to be there," I say giving her a smirk and turning around and making my way towards the door.

"Chase" she calls out behind me as she grips my hand making me spin around and face her.

"Yes Sage," I say my eyes staring into hers.

"I'll see you out the front," she says looking up at me.

"See you there," I say a small smile playing on my lips.

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