The Consequences of Cliff Diving

A Getaway Plan

Chapter 4: A Getaway Plan

"Hey Ash." Ashlynn lays her head on my shoulder and I let my own rest on top of hers. Without speaking, I almost instantly know what has happened. Chase probably told her about my freak out and she came running because that's just who she is. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like without my best friend. My support system. My other half. Then I remember that she's already here and there's no point in fantasizing at all.

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I make my way back to the house around three in the morning after Ashlynn drives me there. I open the door as quietly as I can but someone else was downstairs as well. Two people actually. Judging by the voices it's Shawn and Chase himself.

"I think you should try and talk to her." Shawn says tentatively. Chase replies, growing more frustrated by the second.

"I can't and you know that. I really messed up man." I hear Shawn sigh and something moves against the leather couch in the room across from me. The stairs are behind the couch, and if I want to get by unnoticed I have to crawl over to them.

"Can't you at least try?" Shawn continues. "She's worth it Chase." There's no response so he continues to talk and I drop down to all fours. "What even happened to you two?" My heart squeezes and I freeze, halfway to the stairs. Reliving that day is not something I wanted to do. Maybe I could one day, but it was still way too soon. "I can't help if you don't tell me."

"What if I don't need help?!" Chase shoots back. I press myself further against the cool leather and suck in a silent breath.

"What did you do that made her like this?"

"Lay off it Shawn."

"What could possibly be so awful that you couldn't tell-"

"I said lay off it!"

"I know that girl and she doesn't walk away unless it literally threatens her life!"

"That is none of your business."

"Yes it is. You are my brother and she is my friend!"

"It's not a big deal." They are full on shouting now.

"It obviously is to her. It is to me!"

"Shawn stay out of it!"

"It's hard when so many people you love are getting hurt!"

"I'm fine! I told you that already."

"You're fine?! First of all that's bull and second of all Toni is obviously not fine."

"Leave me alone!"

"No!"

"You're being a nosy little prick!"

Just tell me!"

"I cheated on her okay?!" Chase all but yells, his voice echoing down the halls. The room is deathly silent and I'm pretty sure that no one is moving.

"You what?" Shawn asks him slowly, his voice instantly engulfed by the tension.

"It was one time." Chase sighs, whispering painfully. "We had gotten into a fight and I drank too much and brought some girl home. Toni came to apologize the next morning and she saw..." His voice trailed off. I wanted to leave but felt super glued to the floor.

"Did you and that girl..." Shawn started before being cut off.

"No." Chase's answer was sharp. "She only slept over which is probably just as bad. God." I hear his fist slam into something. "You would kill me if you heard the things that I said to her." Without any more words, he stands up and stalks up the stairs with long strides. Once he's gone my chest starts to relax.