Seven
Thea
Leo did an admirable job of changing the subject to his upcoming game, giving me a much-needed break from his unexpected declaration. Unless I’d misinterpreted his meaning, he was planning to take this slow. To woo me, even.
Wanting me to wear his jersey, hold his hand, accompany him to parties—that all sounded like boyfriend stuff. Was that what he wanted? To be my boyfriend?
I’d never had one of those, and I’d definitely never imagined Leo as my first. But, sitting across from him now, the idea didn’t feel so farfetched. I was comfortable with him, and not in the it’s-okay-to-wear-holey-socks-in-front-of-him way. It was more of the I-feel-like-I-can-relax-and-be-myself-around-him way.
Because Leo never gave me the impression that he would change a thing about me.
We finished our meal, and he paid, before leading me back to the Range Rover and opening my door for me. I hid my smile. He was taking this whole wooing me endeavor seriously. It was kind of cute.
“What now?” Leo muttered when he pulled up next to a nondescript sedan in the driveway a few minutes later.
“Whose car is that?” One thing I’d learned since moving into the mansion was that the Sharpes didn’t get many visitors. Since Hayle’s breakup with Kelsey, I couldn’t remember seeing a single unexpected vehicle in the drive.
“I don’t know, but I have a guess.” He threw open his door. “Come on.”
Instead of entering the house through the garage, Leo strode in the front door. As soon as I stepped inside behind him, I understood his meaning. Detective Dyck sat in a chair in the living room with a glass of water in his hand while Susan hovered nervously nearby.
The detective stood when he caught sight of us, but Leo didn’t give him a chance to speak. “What the hell do you want this time?”
I elbowed him in the ribs. That really wasn’t the best way to start this conversation.
“I’m here to speak with Miss Gale.”
My back stiffened. Me?
“What do you want with her?” Leo growled.
“I merely have a few follow-up questions regarding Bodie Jacobs’s accident.”
Because they now knew the guilty party was a woman. Of course. I should have expected this. Clearly, I wasn’t at the top of my game today.
“Thea didn’t have anything to do with that.”
I took Leo’s hand and squeezed gently. “It’s fine.” Turning to the detective, I asked, “Where do you want to do this?”
“How about the dining room?” Susan suggested, and when he agreed, she led Detective Dyck that way.
I started to follow, but Leo didn’t release my hand. He turned me into him, his expression soft yet somber. “This is bullshit.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t do anything, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
He dipped his head and pressed a kiss to my temple. “I’m sorry my brothers and I got you into this.”
“It’s not your fault. I started all of this by convincing Violet and Tristin to attend that party, remember?”
He chuckled, his breath fanning over my forehead. “Oh, yeah. And, if memory serves me right, I warned you that the whole thing would probably end up blowing up in your face.”
Yes, he had.
I pushed at his chest. “Now is not the time for ‘I told you so.’”
“Fine. I’ll save that for later.” He released me and slapped my ass. “Go talk to Detective Dick. I’ll wait for you here.”
I rolled my eyes at his mispronunciation of the detective’s name but felt a smile overtake my mouth. That’s what Leo did—he made me smile.
On my way into the dining room, Susan handed me a glass of ice water and whispered, “Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
She studied me, worry in her pinched expression. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks.” I watched her leave, then took the seat across from Detective Dyck and waited for him to start. I didn’t have to wait long.
“We’ve uncovered surveillance video showing an unidentified female tampering with Bodie Jacobs’s vehicle on the night in question.”
Not new information, thanks to Violet.
He removed a notepad and pen from the inside of his suit jacket. “To make sure we’re clear on all of the details, walk me through that night again.”
“There’s not much to say. I was home all night. Tristin woke me up when he arrived in my bedroom a few minutes after midnight. I eventually went back to sleep—” After Tristin screwed my brains out. “And got up the next morning for class.”
He made a few notes before asking, “Do you own a black hoodie?”
“Yes.” There was no point in lying about it. I was