Page 87 of Jase

He paused as it continued to scroll.

“They battle each other on that show. It could be fun to watch.”

“Battle with what?”

“Not with things. There are obstacles. Whoever goes the furthest and gets the fastest time wins.”

“Oh, that might be okay.” I lifted the remote, stopping as an all-too familiar name filled the room.

“In other news, it appears the mystery involving You2’s chief executive officer and owner, Jase Colter deepens. We reported just days ago he was spotted arriving at Memorial Medical with who we can now confirm is local, former kidnapping victim, Kody Marshall. For weeks, rumors have speculated on a possible relationship between the two, and tonight we’re able to officially confirm their status.”

Crackling filled the room as Jase gripped tightly to the bottled water. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

“That was fast. Scary fast.”

“Our sources say they are dating, and from this footage captured of them not an hour ago leaving Memorial Medical, you can see just how serious it’s getting. But is that good or bad? We know the violent history with Jase Colter. Protector? Or perpetrator?”

One of the reporters widened their eyes dramatically, picking up where the other left off.“Interesting questions. If one threat on her life wasn’t enough, in a bizarre twist, Kody Marshall was admitted for food poisoning that nearly took her life just over a week ago. Medical Memorial confirms she’s finally been released, but that hasn’t stopped the FBI from stepping in for their own investigation in the matter. What’s really going on with Kody Marshall, and where does Jase Colter fit into it?”

Chapter 30

Kody

It was absurd. Uncalled for. Ridiculous! I was furious the more time that passed since the broadcast. What were people thinking? How would they look at Jase after this? Had those stupid newscasters really insinuated him being involved in such horrible acts towards me? And not just that. Did they really think I’d stick around if he’d truly committed them?

“Surely, this isn’t going to continue much longer. Kody, you have to let it go. It’s been days.”

“Eleven days.”

“And they haven’t mentioned anything further. It was a jab at me for knocking out their reporter back in the day. They’ll never let it go, and it’s fine. Do you see me stressing out about it?”

“You should.They made it sound like the FBI was focused on you for what happened to me. As if you poisoned and kidnapped me. They didn’t say it, but they didn’t have to. You should sue them or at the least write them. No,I’ll write them.”

“You will not.”

“But people will think—”

“I don’t care what they think. This sort of thing goes with the territory. It’s what I was trying to warn you about. If I take the bait, it’ll only get worse. Trust me, I’ve been there. I’ve raised hell. We have to let it go.”

I held on tighter to my arms, where the cast used to be, staring at the curtains. Curtains. Fucking curtains! I couldn’t even stare at the sky anymore. I was locked in a space, high in the air, and I couldn’t see anything around me the majority of the time. I wanted to scream. To lash out and attack anything or anyone. I was losing my mind.

“Hey, look at me.” The soft tone had my eyes sweeping over. “I think it’s time to call your doctor.”

Instinct had my hand coming up to my chest. It was mostly healed, but I still had a ways to go before it was back to normal.

“We already did a few days ago.”

“You know I’m not talking about that doctor. Your heart doctor. You’re not okay, love. He mentioned after this you might experience depression. It’s normal when the heart’s been affected. He said if you started to go downhill to call. I think it’d be a good idea. You haven’t smiled in days.”

My eyes filled with tears. No matter how much I tried to stop them from spilling over, I couldn’t. “If I’m depressed it’s because of that,” I pointed. “I want to see. I want to go sit in the sun. I hate this.”

“I know you do.” Jase lowered to sit on the sofa, wrapping his arm around me. I put my head on his chest, looking up as I gripped to his shirt.

“How much longer do you think this will take? Have you heard anything? Seen anything? You don’t even come to bed anymore. You’re out here all night. Do you even sleep?”

More tears fell as his mouth opened and then shut.

“I put you to bed every night. I lay with you until you fall asleep.”