when you’ll need a video like this.”
“My father will sue you for all you’ve got,” Chantel spat at all of us.
“Why?” Chase asked. “You just gave me the confession I needed. And I assure you, I will take the stand to be sure you get the harshest punishment possible.” He glanced to Valerie and me. “Thanks for the assist.”
We nodded, watching as he walked Chantel toward the door to the roof, disappearing into the darkness.
Val stopped recording and turned to me, wrapping her arms around me tightly. “We did it.”
“You did it,” I assured her.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
It was late afternoon when I finally stepped outside my dorm. The previous night had been…a lot. News vans and cameramen had been camped outside since the early morning, occupying both the road and sidewalk.
“The case of Sydney Lane came to a close early this morning when the truth about a hazing accident surfaced,” a reporter said into her camera. “In a sorority pledge event gone horribly wrong, Sydney fell unexpectedly to her death.”
I dragged in a deep breath as I opened the passenger door to the black SUV waiting down the road for me.
“Hi,” Chase said as I slipped into his passenger seat.
“Hi.”
His eyes moved over my jeans and hoodie. “You look nice.”
“Nice?”
He smirked. “It’s a first date. I’m trying to be a gentleman.” He reached over and linked our fingers.
Boy, I missed the feel of him. “Where are we going?”
“Just a little road trip, if that’s okay?”
I nodded, curious where he planned to take me.
We drove for some time. My curiosity grew the longer we drove, but Chase kept me occupied by answering every question I asked him about himself.
“Spanish and Italian,” he said, his eyes alternating between the road and me.
“So, you speak three languages?”
“And a little French.”
“I’m impressed.”
“That I’m smart?”
I laughed. “That you’re so well rounded.”
“You know I could make a dirty joke right there, right?”
I rolled my eyes.
“How old were you when you first had sex?”
“Sixteen with Jessica Hynes.”
I lifted a brow as jealousy whirled in my belly. “Do you see Jessica now?”
He pegged me with his eyes. “You jealous?”
“Maybe.”
“I like that you’re jealous.”
“Where did it happen?”
“Where did we have sex?”
I nodded, cringing before he even answered since I knew it would only increase my jealousy.
“My friend’s pool house. But, I assure you, it lasted two minutes and was definitely unmemorable for her.”
I laughed to myself, his answer making me feel slightly better. “Favorite all-time song?” I asked, needing to change the subject before I did something crazy like go all stalker-mode on Jessica Hynes to see what she looked like or if she had a boyfriend.
“Good question. Maybe…‘Sweet Home Alabama’ or House of Pain’s ‘Jump Around’.”
“Those are two extremes.”
His low chuckle filled the SUV. “I’ve got eclectic tastes.”
A comfortable silence passed between us as I considered what other information I wanted to know.
“Have you ever killed anyone?”
He hesitated. “Not yet.”
The word yet reminded me what a dangerous job being a police officer really was. “Are you going to become a detective?”
“Someday,” he said. “Right now, I’m good doing what I’m doing.” His eyes cut to mine, and I got the feeling we weren’t still talking about his future.
A short while later, he drove into a residential neighborhood filled with beautiful brick homes. He pulled into a long driveway and shifted into park.
I turned to look at him as he cut the engine.
His eyes held indecision.
“I don’t have to meet your mom tonight,” I assured him.
He shook his head. “That’s not what this is.”
My eyes widened. “Jessica Hynes?”
He shook his head with silent laughter. “Not even close.” He turned, his attention seeking something by the front door.
I followed his gaze. I stilled, the hair on the back of my neck prickling.
Sydney’s mother stood on the front steps, her arms wrapped tightly around her chest.
I pushed open my door before I even knew what I was doing. My legs carried me up the winding brick sidewalk toward her.
“Sophia,” Mrs. Lane said, enfolding me in her arms. “My angel.”
I blinked back stinging tears as her frail body held me to her. “I’m so happy you got the closure you were seeking.”
She pulled back, still grasping my shoulders so she could look at me. Her eyes softened in the corners. “Officer Shaw said you were the reason we learned the truth.”
“I only helped Valerie. She’s the one who fought to get you the truth. She’s so sorry she couldn’t get it for you sooner.”
Mrs. Lane shook her head, holding back her own tears.