Page 80 of Web of Lies
“You said it was a dead zone for cameras, right?” His familiar teasing tone slips back into his voice, relaxing my tense shoulders.
“The whole hallway has no camera access,” I retort matter-of-factly. He nods, leaning against the wall beside me, towering over my tiny form, staring down into my eyes.
“I’m sorry things have been so shitty. I’m sorry for me.” Chase rushes his words out in one breath. His body tenses. My eyes are tearing him apart, piece by piece. Trying to turn his confession over in my mind, making sure he’s truthful.
“When did they threaten you?” His face falls, a pale color taking over his cheeks.
His Adam’s apple bobs. “After the first week,” he breathes, barely able to get it out. All the moisture on my tongue evaporates at his confession. I don’t have the heart to ask him what they have on him. By the way his face falls and pales like a ghost, it must be bad. Worse than the twin’s sex tape secret. My eyes find the cracks in the concrete floor, trailing their seam to the other side of the room.
“I’m sorry,” Chase whispers with such sorrow it breaks my heart. “I-that week, when I put those things in your locker, was the best week I’ve had in years. I’ve never—had never done something like that for any girl. But it was amazing. It made my day to see the smile on your face. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it for anyone else but you.” A faint smile tickles his lips, reminiscing about our short time of getting to know each other.
My mind goes back to my time in the VIP box, watching Chase weave through his opponents on the football field with ease, expertly making it to the goal fifty yards down the field as Seger and Zepp took down his enemies. Sweat poured from his skin under the bright spotlights, highlighting his touchdown victory dance. He looked so dreamy that night. And then in the maze… The party we went to together, all four of us. Chase is a delectable human being. There’s no doubt about it. If Seger is my rock God from hell sent to torture me with his delicious tattoos and Zepp is the computer nerd I never knew I needed, then Chase is that classic boy next door. With blonde hair, sun-kissed skin, and a heart of gold. Ready to take on anyone who attacks you. He’s the football player sent to tackle your heart and steal it right from under your nose. I’ve always said I could get lost in him. Let him take me away to a different existence where our bodies sing melodies, molding together until we scream out in our ecstasy. I’d be more than happy to let him tear me apart in a good way. And just maybe, right now, I wouldn’t mind.
“You were so hot on the football field,” I say before I realize I’ve said it, letting the memory take over my brain again.
He swallows hard again, running a burning finger down my jaw. “Does it bother you when I do this?” He asks, running his fingers across my cheek, down my jaw and through my hair. The feeling of his skin against mine brings nothing but pure pleasure—pleasure with no pain involved.
“No,” I breathe out, barely able to get my tongue to work—his body steps into mine, invading my personal space with his own. Body heat pours into mine, warming the goosebumps on my flesh. My head spins like I’ve taken a rollercoaster ride. My stomach rolls in waves as his lips find my cheek. Desperately, I want him to devour my mouth with his.
“Why did you want to meet here?” I whisper, his lips lingering on my cheek. Scorching my flesh with his wanting intensity, an intensity I want. Crave. Need. I want his lips on mine in our little oasis, secretly nestled away from the rest of the school.
“I wanted to see you again, like this. Just us separated from the world for just a second. Just us.” With every word he speaks, his warm breaths collide with my cheek, moving closer and closer to my mouth.
“Just us,” I whisper in confirmation. “Our space.”
“For now,” he whispers, taking a step back from me with conflict in his eyes. “I-uh-I wanted to give this back.” He reaches into his pocket, pulling out his old iPhone. Taking it into my hand, I smile at the butterflies it gives me. Something so simple, so small, brings me a comfort I never knew I needed. I spent much of the first week after he gave me this, listening to every song on the playlist, never imagining that he’d give it back to me.
“Thank you,” I smile, thumbing through the playlist labeled:For Her.
“I put some of the Hartbrakers older songs on there from when they got their start. Again, don’t tell Zoe. She’ll think I’m a creep or something. I just… their music…”
“They really have a way with words,” I confirm, nodding my head. “Really speaks to the soul.” In some ways, I didn’t know I needed it, but I don’t add that part. I’m too mesmerized by the screen in front of me, illuminating my face in the dark closet.
“This one’s my favorite,” Chase says, pointing a finger to a song calledWhen the Hart calls. I smile and click on it, its soft tunes weaving through the air. The melody is simple. The words resonate in my heart. This moment connects Chase and me in ways we’ll never know.
“Whhhennn my heart calllsss uppon yourrrrssss listen to its melody beyond the sounds. Feeeeeel the beat beneath my chest and when my heart calls, you best catch me when it fallllssss.” Chase’s eyes close, arms swinging wildly around him. His deep voice bellows out the lyrics like he’s listened to them on repeat for years.
“I love it,” I say. The song fades to nothing, fading into the next song by the Hartbrakers. “They’re so good. I don’t know how I’ve lived my entire life without this music.” I thumb through the playlist, noting different musicians in there too.
“Well then, that’s why I’m here, to show you the way to great music.” Chase flashes me his signature lopsided grin, bringing himself back to the happy-go-lucky boy I adore.
I stuff the iPhone into my skirt pocket, thanking him again. “Meet me back here every Friday?” Chase smiles at me again, hope lingering in his eyes. If these are the precautions I have to take to get him back, then so be it. I’ll meet him in this closet every day for the rest of the year if I can just get this slice of him
“Lunchtime again?” he nods his head.
“Bring the iPhone, and I’ll load new music on there for you each week. You’ll be an expert before you know it. And then we can really discuss the Hartbrakers in depth.” He nods towards the iPhone, and I agree.
“Well, I have to get to the house. The guys get me my lunch. I’ll see you later?” Before he can answer, Chase leans down, leaving a lingering kiss against my cheek.
“Yes,” he breathes and walks out of the room. As I watch the door shut and the light fade from the room, my fingers trace the spot his lips were—my flesh tingles in delight. A loopy smile takes over my face.
Now that I know the circumstances are different, butterflies churn in my stomach. Chase. Zepp. Seger. They aren’t murderers. Far from it. They’re my allies, the people I will rely on for the rest of my time here to survive. Thanks to Magnolia’s cryptic code, I can cross them off my list.
As the day progresses, something in my stomach flips. A sense of foreboding sits heavy on my shoulders. Lunch with Zepp and Seger went off without a hitch. They walked me back to class with no shame and made sure I made it safely. Telling me they’ll see me after their game tonight, and we’ll all have dinner again. But I can’t help the bad feeling creeping up my spine at every turn I take. I try to shrug it off. I know I’m in a bit of danger here, but how far would this invisible army take things?
I close my locker at the end of the day. The hallway cleared out minutes ago, kids excited for the weekend ahead. Lots of planning is happening around me with the football game and after-party. Something Zepp had mentioned to me over lunch, inviting me to the house to hang out if I wanted. They were not ashamed to have me around when they party with their classmates and even promise to keep me safe.
As I step out the door into the sunlight, my hackles rise. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, goosebumps sprouting along my arms. The heat of the day disappeared but still clings to the air. A slight breeze flies past me, swirling my hair in its draft. I shake off the feeling and high tail it around the building toward my apartment. If I can make it to my apartment, I know I’ll be safe. But this feeling isn’t going away.
