CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT

Sarah POV

The call to Alex had me spiralling.

I hadn’t spoken to him for nearly 20 years and the moment I heard his voice I felt like I was 18 again.

The memories we had shared were the ones I have carried with me since I had left the Hamptons and started a whole new life.

I couldn’t wait to see him again.

I know I told him and dad next weekend, but I just couldn’t wait.

I had to see him now.

It had been so long.

And I wouldn’t be letting him know either.

This was going to be the surprise of a lifetime.

I loved the fact that I had the element of surprise on this one.

When we were younger Alex used to always make it a hobby of his to surprise me.

But not in a bad way they were always good ones.

Ones that I could always rely on, especially when I wasn’t feeling that good.

And that felt like it happened all of the time especially after…

I try my hardest not to think back to that moment.

The moment that nearly destroyed me.

That’s why I had to leave.

I couldn’t be around that place anymore.

Those people.

I couldn’t, I wouldn’t think about this anymore.

I walk into the closet looking for our suitcases.

I planned on staying as long as I needed to.

Sabrina was at school, but by the time she got home we would be packed and ready to go.

So, I grab both the cases and head into my bedroom to firstly pack mine.

I was done within minutes.

It’s amazing how fast you can do something when you have a motive.

I go into Sabrina’s room and head to her closet.

As I do I see a picture on her dressing table.

It’s of three people with names above them.

I take a closer look.

Mummy, me and the last one reads daddy.

I remember when she first drew this picture.

She was about 8 years old.

My eyes widen and I feel tears start to appear.

How could I not know that she felt that way.

I had never talked about her father to her.

And she had never asked.

But why was this picture out on her desk now.

But by the looks of this she wants to know.

She deserved to know.

It had been so long.

The only option I have is to finally reveal to her who her dad was.

But now wasn’t the time.

We were going on a trip.

I place the picture back down on her dressing table and continue to her closet.

I had both our suitcases packed in minutes and placed them by the front door.

I rang dad to let him know that we were coming early.

And that we would be staying a while.

When he asked why the change of plans, I didn’t tell him the exact truth.

But I didn’t tell him a lie either.

I just didn’t want him to start giving me a lecture.

This was something that I needed to do.

And Alex was someone I definitely needed to see.

We had a few things that needed to be discussed.

Plus, I wouldn’t mind stirring up a bit of trouble with Jericho either.

I wonder what he has been up to.

Last I heard he was doing rather well for himself lately.

Wouldn’t mind bumping into him.

As I sit there waiting for Sabrina to get home from school, I dive down memory lane and the years I spent with Jericho and Alex Dean.

Cassie POV

I sit here mentally asking myself why the hell I wasn’t screaming at my ears to stop listening to this story.

It was horrible.

I couldn’t imagine being Sarah after what she went through.

Alexis was invested also.

She had never been so quiet in her life.

Well not that I have seen anyway.

Jericho’s voice was echoing around the room.

The sound was like a violin to my ears.

But I needed to get back to his telling of the story.

Even though everything inside me was screaming not to.

“We found her lying on the ground, covered in blood and unconscious.”

Jericho carried on.

“I immediately checked for her pulse.”

“Alex was in such a state.”

“He just stood in place frozen when he saw her.”

“Once I had confirmed she was breathing, I quickly ran to the front of the house to ring for an ambulance.”

“I made sure Alex never left her side until they came.”

I couldn’t hear anymore it was too much.

Alexis piped up.

“What did you do?”

She asked.

He looked at her in confusion.

“What do you mean?”

He replied.

“Well, you just said you made sure Alex stayed with her.”

“What did you do?”

“Or what I mean is, where did you go?”

He stood up and headed towards the window.

He looked solemnly out of it.

I had to do or say something.

I could see this was really affecting him.

“It’s ok Jericho, you don’t need to answer that.”

He shakes his head.

“No, it’s quite alright, it’s a good question.”

And he turns to us both and chuckles.

“I went inside to find out if anybody had seen anything which was useless.”

“I should have known better.”

“A bunch of drunken teenagers are definitely not seeing anything at a party.”

“But I did notice that three of the guys that were throwing the party had disappeared.”

“Which was funny because right before we found Sarah they were in the thick of the party with a keg.”

Alexis’s eyes widened at every word Jericho was saying.

“Sorry I asked.”

She looked mortified.

The story was affecting her too.

“I can stop if needs be.”

“You girls look like you can use the break.”

Me and Alexis both stood.

“Yeah, I must admit I could use a coffee.”

I grinned.

“Jericho?”

He nodded.

“I wouldn’t mind some caffeine.”

As I start to head towards the kitchen Alexis interrupts…

“I need a drink.”

“And it’s not a caffeine drink I’m talking about.”

I shake my head whilst laughing.

All three of us head to the kitchen.

Jericho pulls me back.

“Can we talk a sec.”

“Of course.”

Alexis turns when she realises that we both weren’t following her.

But the good thing about Alexis…

She can take a hint.

And she carries on.

“What’s up.”

I say.

“About last night.”

I didn’t know what to say.

Or what he was going to say.

But I could just feel that it was going to be something bad.

“Whatever you have to say Jericho…”

“It can wait.”

“I need to tell you this.”

He sounded so desperate.

“Last night Cassandra…”

“Was the best night of my life.”

I look at him, shock all over my face.

I wasn’t expecting that.