The Bet: A Bully Romance(59)

“Yes,” I answer. What’s the point in lying? I already admitted to campus security that it was me, plus I deserve whatever they plan to slap me with.

“Do you admit to being the one who recorded the interaction that took place between yourself and Ms. Peterson?”

“Yes,” I respond once again.

Both detectives nod and take the paper back. Then they pull out another paper from the folder and slide it over just like they did with the first. As soon as my eyes land on the photo, I freeze, time seems to stand still. My blood stops pumping through my veins and every ounce of oxygen in my lungs evaporates. I’m only vaguely aware that one of the two cops is asking me a question, but my brain just isn’t digesting what I’m seeing.

“Jesus fuck, Remmy!” Seb’s voice brings me back to reality. I look at him, his face holds nothing but disgust and hate for me. He stands up and turns away from the table, unable to look at the pictures any longer. I turn my attention back to what's laying on the table in front of me. I can’t believe what I’m seeing, and I have to stop myself from lashing out, from getting up to break something. The pictures show Jules passed out on a bed in nothing but her panties. I remember that night… I remember saving her, from him. Cole.

I’m going to kill him. I will fucking kill him even if it’s the last thing I ever do.

“Mr. Miller, do you admit to taking these pictures?”

“Fuck no! I didn't take these!” I jump from my chair, causing it to slam back against the wall. A snort comes from Detective Stevens, who hasn’t said anything until now.

“You think we are going to fucking believe you? We know you were at this party and we know you left with her, and we know you brought her back to your place and made her stay the night. We have witnesses and proof, you pervert, so do us all a favor and just admit to it so we can get this wrapped up.”

Dread hangs thickly in the air, making it hard for me to think, breathe, function. They want me to admit to a crime I didn’t commit. They want to put the blame on me because it’s easier than looking at the big fucking picture.

“The recording, yes that was me. I’ll admit to it, because I did it. And yes, I was at that party, but she was not there with me and I didn’t take the pictures.”

I take a deep breath, trying to figure out what I should say next. If I tell them the whole story, they will go straight to Jules and ask for her statement. She didn't want to tell anyone for this exact reason, she doesn't want to relive what happened and I more than respect that. If I tell them now, then I will betray her trust again. She will suffer because of me…just so I can clear my name, and I’ll be damned if I do that.

I can’t tell them, no matter the consequences.

“Look, this will go over with a judge way better if you just admit to taking the pictures.”

“I already told you I didn’t take those photos. I wouldn’t fucking do that to her.” I slam my fist down on the metal table, over and over again, willing them to fucking listen to me. Every time I see one of the photos my stomach churns and I have to hold back the need to vomit.

Cole. He’s the one who did this. He fucking did it, and still, I’m paying for it. I’m reaping the repercussions.

“This isn’t looking good for you, Mr. Miller, so I really advise you to come clean, it would be a better option for you.”

My lips pull into a thin line, and I cross my arms over my chest.

“I didn’t do it, and I won’t tell you that again.”

The questioning goes on for another twenty minutes with the same results. Each time they ask me a question I get angrier, the dread, the guilt, the fucking shame, pales in comparison to the hate I have for Cole, and myself. With a look between them, the detectives get up, one of them closing the folder and placing it under his arm.

“Am I under arrest?” I question.

Detective Stevens answers, “Not at this moment, but mark my words, I will find enough evidence to nail your ass to the wall. There are far enough assholes like you in this world, believe me when I say you won’t be missed. We’ll be in touch, Mr. Miller.”

They leave the room, leaving me and Seb to our own devices.

“Seb, I didn’t take the pictures.” I don’t know if he believes me or not and I can’t muster up the courage to look him in his eyes. I’m so angry at myself, so fucking pissed that I brought Jules into all of this.

He leaves the room, just as the detectives did, slamming the door shut behind him. I let my head fall into my hands, wishing this was all just a bad dream, one that I would be waking up from any minute now. I imagine I would roll over and she would be there, tucked into my side, but she's not and she never will be again, because I did this to us, turned this nightmare into a reality. Tears sting my eyes. I miss her so much, her touch, her smell, her fucking smile.

Closing my eyes, I remember her face, her blue eyes, soft blonde curls, adorable button nose, the way she whimpers and moans when she falls apart, her pink lips. A thousand memories rush through me flickering right before my eyes like an old style movie.

I sit there for a long moment, letting myself relive those things before I push the emotions aside and get up and walk back to my house like a robot. By the time I get home, my mind is still in disarray. I need to clear my head first, then I need to find Cole, but I don't know how, or even where to fucking start. I decide to go on a run, maybe that will help calm down the ever-growing storm inside of me.