Chasing You (Terrell Clarricoates Fan Fiction)

Chapter 16

I wake up with Terrell's arm draped over my stomach. His breathing is steady with soft snores escaping his lips. His bare chest is pressed against my back. I feel his hot breath on my shoulder. Terrell's phone begins to ring but he doesn't move.

"Terrell?" I whisper softly as I touch his arm softly to wake him.

"Hmm," he mumbles.

"Your phone," I say. He groans softly before lifting his arm off of me and reaching behind him to grab his phone. He answers it and puts it to his ear.

"What?" He says sternly. I roll over to face him. He clenches his jaw.

"I'll be there soon," Terrell says before hanging up. He stands and pulls his jeans up his legs.

"What happened?" I ask.

"Nothing," Terrell says plainly.

"Okay..." I say. I sit up and wait for more of a response but I don't get one. I stand and walk out of the bedroom. I walk to the kitchen and start a pot of coffee. I lean against the counter with my arms folded as I wait. Terrell comes out seconds later, fully dressed.

"You're mad," he states.

"I don't like secrets," I state.

"Well you're gonna have to get used to it. I can't tell you the shit that goes on downtown," he says.

"This is never gonna go anywhere, is it?" I question sadly. He sighs.

"Don't make me answer that," he says. I turn around and face my back towards him. I pull a mug out of the cabinet.

"Caroline, it's not that I don't want it to because I do it's just-"

"It's fine. I get it. You should just go," I say sadly.

"Caroline-"

"Terrell. It's okay. Please just go. They are waiting for you," I say as I turn to face him. He lets out a breath.

"I'll call you," he says before he walks out the front door. Maybe I'm being stupid. But if this isn't going anywhere then aren't I just hurting myself more by having him around?

I wait all day but I never got a call. Not that I was actually waiting for one, I guess I just thought he would. I went to class and did all the chores around the dorm to keep my mind off of Terrell. I don't like him being there. I'm always so worried he might get hurt.

I stand at the stove as I stir the food cooking in the pan. My phone rings and I immediately stop what I'm doing and pick up my phone. Terrell's calling. Suddenly I'm stuck with a dilemma. If this isn't going anywhere and I continue this, I'm only making it more difficult for myself, right? I set my phone down back on the counter. My eyes get watery but I ignore it and go back to cooking. I just have to keep reminding myself that I can't just keep postponing the inevitable.

~

Two days had passed and I haven't heard from Terrell. I've been keeping myself busy. I went to a car dealership and spent almost all my savings on a car. It's a black Ford Escape. I figured it's something I need sooner rather than later.

I vacuum the living room for the second time today. I'm losing my shit and it's not even funny. A knock at the door pulls me out of my head. I turn off the vacuum and walk to the front door. I peek out the window and it's Jaxin. What is he doing here? I open the door quickly.

"Hey, is everything okay?" I ask. He walks inside and I shut the door behind him.

"Can you sit? We need to talk," he says. I nod and sit on the couch. He sits at the edge of the couch with his elbows on his knees.

"Terrell's gotten himself in some trouble," Jaxin starts. My eyes widen.

"Is he okay? Where is he?" I question.

"He's okay, for now. Another mafia decided to pay a visit. They are some pretty awful people. The only choice Terrell has is to kill them. It's dangerous. He's not thinking clearly because of whatever happened between you two," he says. I look away and my mind runs laps.

"I know it doesn't seem like it all the time, but that dude is in love with you. Whatever happens with you guys, it changes his mood. Someone needs to talk him down and it has to be you. He needs a clear head  in this one if he's gonna make it out safely," Jaxin explains.

"Where is he now?" I ask.

"Downtown," he answers. I have to go. I don't have a choice at this point. I won't let him get hurt. I can't.

"I can come with," Jaxin offers. He's not apart of the mafia.

"No, it's okay. I don't want him thinking you snitched," I say. We stand and I grab my car keys.

"Hey, be safe. If it's too dangerous, don't go inside. Just leave," Jaxin says. I nod. We leave the dorm together and we go our separate ways.

I drive quickly down the freeway. I get off at the downtown exit and drive to the place I don't want to be. I get to the dirt road and drive down it. I get the gate and I press the button. An armed man that looks familiar approaches my window.

"I'm Caroline. I need to see Ter-" I begin but he doesn't question me further. He opens the gate and they step aside to let me in. I don't question it before I drive forward. Once I get the building, I turn my car off and take a deep breath. I step out and walk towards the doors that are propped open. I enter and it's a lot less empty than normal. An armed man approaches me.

"I think it's in your best interest to take this before you go upstairs," he speaks as he holds up a hand gun. I've gone shooting before but only to hit clay targets, not people. I grab the gun and tuck it into the back of my jeans. I walk up the stairs and immediately know this won't end well.