The Bet (North Woods University 1)

“I want to inform you that we have just opened up an investigation on you, Mr. Miller. Campus security contacted us this morning with some disturbing information and since there is overwhelming evidence compiled against you, we are taking this very seriously…”

My jaw flexes with tension. I fucked up, but I didn’t physically hurt Jules, surely they know that.

Before I can say anything, we are interrupted by a loud knock on the door. I look over my shoulder just as Sebastian enters the room, a confused look on his face.

“Why is he being questioned again? We’ve already discussed this at length, and why are you talking to him without a lawyer present?” He points at the two police officers, anger now seeping into his face.

This is your fault, Remington. All the frustration, my father’s anger toward me, Sebastian’s disappointment, the police being here, Jules hurting, it’s all on me.

“Mr. Miller has the right to an attorney, but he has not requested one and we are not arresting him at this moment, so legally I do not have to read him his rights. Now, may I ask who you are?”

“I’m his legal counsel for right now,” Seb growls and takes the seat beside me. A part of me wants to tell him to leave, to tell him that there is no point in trying to save me, but I know that the police wouldn’t be here if something hadn’t changed and I’m not dumb enough to make him leave me alone in here just to end up saying the wrong fucking thing.

“Well, let’s get straight to the point then,” Detective Garcia announces. He opens a folder, and takes out the first page, sliding it across the table, and all but shoves it into my face. My gut clenches as I glance over it. I don’t have to read every word to know it’s a manuscript of the recording. I’ll be reminded of my mistake for the rest of my life.

“Do you acknowledge that the male voice in this recording belongs to you?”

“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.