“She was driving. We weren’t racing. We were parked on the side of the road when the cops pulled up behind us. They’ve got nothing to charge us with. Go and get her out of whatever fucking room they’re holding her in!” I shout at him.
“We’re going to talk about what you were doing in a parked car with my niece,” Xavier says before he walks out.
Why didn’t she ask for him?
Because she doesn’t fucking care what happens to her. The image of her driving towards a fucking tree plays on repeat in my mind.
Sitting down, I rest my elbows on the table and lower my head. I’m going to be here awhile. I might as well get comfortable.
Chapter Thirteen
I’m so embarrassed. Not about the fact I’m currently sitting in a police interview room. They can only keep me here for so long. Although I’ve never actually been arrested before… but I’m pretty sure they have to let me go eventually.
I’m ashamed becausehe knows. Ares saw me at one of my lowest points. I was ready to end it, and if it weren’t for his voice breaking through the fog, I might have. Is he going to tell someone? I can’t imagine what it would do to my parents if they knew where my mind went sometimes. I don’t want to hurt them. They don’t deserve it.
I don’t understand why I get these thoughts. Why I can’t just be normal. I need to break free of this thing with Ares. I can’t let him get closer. I almost hurt him tonight. I didn’t even stop to think that he was with me and I was going to hit that tree. I wanted to drive into that tree.
A shaky breath leaves me. I want to get better. I just don’t know how. I don’t think I can. I’ve had these thoughts for far too long, and they’re only getting worse. I’m not good for anyone, especially not Ares.
I make a mental resolution to push him away. I’m going to tell Uncle Marcel to ask Ares to leave me alone. I need to, for his sake.
The door opens, but I don’t bother looking up. I’ve had a couple of police officers come in and ask me questions. I told them it was me, that I acted alone, and Ares had no idea I was going to enter a race until it was too late. I told them he had nothing to do with any of it and was only there because I was supposed to be driving him home.
They can charge me. I don’t care. It’s a minor crime. I’m sure I’ll get fined, maybe lose my licence. But I can’t just sit around and let Ares get in trouble for something he didn’t do. I haven’t even asked them to call my parents or my uncle. Which is why, when Uncle Xavier appears in front of me, I’m surprised to see him.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“The better question is why the hell you didn’t call me, Zara? And why I have to find out from fucking Ares De Bellis that you were here?” Uncle Xavier looks pissed off.
“Sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t want to bother you.”
“Bother me? Zara McKinley, you’re sitting in a police station after being arrested for street racing and you didn’t want to bother me?” He gives me that disappointed look that only a parent or older family member can master.
“I assumed they would have to let me go eventually,” I tell him.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Zara, you realise they can keep you here for forty-eight hours,” Uncle Xavier says.
“I’m sorry,” I repeat.
“Get up. I’m taking you home.” He walks towards the door. I’ve never seen my uncle so disappointed in me.
I deserve it, though. I fucked up.
“She’s a minor. You should have contacted her parents, and you failed. Whatever she said is inadmissible. Don’t think I’ll be letting this matter drop,” Uncle Xavier tells the police officer, and then he places his hand on my lower back and guides me outside.
“What about Ares? They let him go, right?” I glance back towards the door. I don’t want to see him, but he’s only in there because of me.
“I’m calling his father to come get him,” Uncle Xavier says. “Get in.”
“Can you take me to Kyla’s?”
“Why?”
“Please?” I don’t want to go home. I can’t face my parents yet.
“You know they’re going to find out. I have to tell your mother. Before I do that, I want you to tell me what actually happened and why you were in a parked car with Ares De Bellis?”
“It wasn’t his fault,” I say.
