Page 58 of Inseparable
“Well,” Madisyn leans across the table, lowering her voice. “According to my uncle, it was Lucas Morgan who called it in.” Madisyn’s uncle is a cop in the local station. “Apparently, he was at a friend’s house overnight, and he found Becky unconscious at the side of the road yesterday morning, not far from his house.”
All the blood drains from my face as I recall the arguing in Devin’s driveway the night before and the broken kitchen window.
“Do you know what exactly happened to Becky?”
Madisyn glances around to make sure no one is listening. “You can’t repeat this, or my uncle’ll get in trouble.” We all nod, leaning toward her expectantly. “She was beat up pretty bad, like she has bruises everywhere, and the sick fuck stubbed ciggies out on her arm and her tits, and it looked like someone had tried to strangle her.”
Mariah eyeballs me over the table as nausea swims up my throat. I push my uneaten salad away.
“And that’s not all.” Madisyn’s eyes flash to mine. “When she came to, Becky was hysterical and really frightened, and she’s refusing to say who did this to her or why.”
I stand up. “I have to go.” I turn to Mariah. “Any chance of a ride?” I rode with Ayden today, but I don’t want to ask him to drive me, because I know he won’t approve of my plan to ditch school and hunt Devin down.
She nods in silent agreement, grabbing the apple and bottle of water from her tray and walking out with me.
“Devin’s place?” she asks, correctly guessing where my head is at.
I bite down on my lip as she maneuvers the car out of the parking space. “Yeah. Thanks.”
“You’re thinking he’s involved?”
“He didn’t do this.” I shake my head resolutely. I know Devin has publicly threatened Becky but he wouldn’t do this to anyone; however, I know something went down at his house Saturday night and I need to find out what.
“But Becky was at his house that night so…” Her voice trails off.
I lean forward in my seat. “You can’t tell anyone that. Half the cops in this town would arrest Devin if they knew purely based on his rep.”
“I know, and I haven’t mentioned it to anyone nor will I. Devin’s a lot of things, but I know he isn’t capable of something like this.”
I visibly relax. “Thanks, M. I need to talk to him to find out what he knows, but he’s innocent of assault. I don’t need anyone to tell me that.” I tap out a quick text to let him know I’m on my way.
She pulls the car alongside the curb outside my house, killing the engine. “What do you want me to tell Ayden?”
“You don’t have to lie,” I say, opening the door. “Tell him you took me here if he asks.”
“Okay. Call me later.”
“I will. Thanks for the ride.” I shut the door, and walk around the front, bypassing my house and heading straight for Devin’s.
He opens the front door, quietly watching me stride toward him. He’s dressed in low-hanging gray sweats and a white tank with his feet bare, and he still manages to look completely drool-worthy. Worry lines crinkle the corners of his bloodshot eyes as I approach. “Can we talk at my house?” I inquire.
“Dad’s not here.” He steps aside, and I enter his house for the first time in years. It’s almost exactly how I remember it, and it’s a bit like stepping into a time warp. Although the furniture is the same, the years of wear and tear have taken their toll. The fabric couch is ripped and torn in several places, and the mahogany coffee table is scratched and chipped. The faded hardwood floor creaks as I follow Dev into the kitchen. “Coffee?” he asks, looking over his shoulder.
“Please.” I remove my jacket, dropping it and my bag on the floor.
“Does Ayd know you’re ditching?” he asks while pouring two cups of steaming-hot coffee.
“What do you think?” I pull out a chair and sit down. I look around the kitchen, noticing the tired cupboards, broken appliances, and the taped material over the broken window. The place might be in need of some TLC, but it’s clean and tidy, and it’s obvious someone has been taking care of basic needs. I’m guessing that someone is the boy advancing toward me. I take the cup from his hand with a grateful smile.
Dev sinks into the chair across from me, smirking. “I’m thinking right about now Ayd is blowing a gasket, and your cell’s gonna ping in about five, four, three, two—”
My cell vibrates, interrupting him.
His smirk morphs into a wide grin, and I smile as I shake my head, removing my phone from my back pocket. Ayden’s text pops into my inbox, confirming Dev’s inkling. I don’t open it up; I already know what it says.
Taking a tiny sip of the hot, pungent coffee, I look up at him. “The news about Becky is all over school.”
The grin slips off his mouth. “I figured it would be.”
