[INTERVIEWER] I am correct in you stating you had nothing to do with this incident that occurred sometimes in the late hours two days ago?

[SUSPECT] That is correct, sir.

[INTERVIEWER] Where were you at that time? Please describe in detail.

[SUSPECT] I was with my friend at-

[INTERVIEWER] This friend's name is?

[SUSPECT] Parker Jansen.

[INTERVIEWER] Noted. Please continue.

[SUSPECT] We were hanging out at the mall for a while. I can't remember why we went. I haven't seen the kid in a while. I can't remember.

[INTERVIEWER] At what time did you leave your home to meet him?

[SUSPECT] Around two. I think.

[INTERVIEWER] Were you filed as under the influence of anything, alcohol or drug related?"

[SUSPECT] Parker drank. I did not.

[INTERVIEWER] Was this Parker Jansen in the car with you at the time of the collision?

[SUSPECT] No, no he was not.

[INTERVIEWER] So it is to assume he drove himself home?

[SUSPECT] Uh, yeah, I think so.

[INTERVIEWER] You are aware that he was under the influence and that if he could be linked to this, you could potentially be charged as well?

[SUSPECT] Look, cmon man, I just want to go home.

[INTERVIEWER] Unfortunately, you need to be held here until we can piece together the full story of what occurred that night.

[SUSPECT] I told you, I had nothing to do with it.

[INTERVIEWER] Where did you go after departing?

[SUSPECT] I went home.

[INTERVIEWER] Sir, could you please stop fidgeting? We are trying to conduct this interview in the most pleasant way possible.

[SUSPECT] Well nothing can be pleasant when you're treating me like a fucking prisoner!

-

"Mase. Cmon."

"Lexa, I told you I'm not going." He looks at me, his eyes welling slightly at the corners, "I need to be here."

"You're coming with me. We're gonna crash at Elle's place while she stays here with Jared."

He gets up slowly, "Only since you're coming with me." He smirks.

"Oh, shut up." I roll my eyes, "She has good nurses looking after her right now. Is Elodie still your neighbor?"

"Yes. She doesn't need to know. She's..too innocent for this. She's a little girl. She doesn't need to know that the world is so much more than butterflies and rainbows. It, well, it sucks balls." He leans across the bed and kisses his mother's forehead, before crossing the room and pausing in the doorframe, waiting for me.

I follow him, "Mason Derivan, you're something else."

"I want to drive." He says.

"I want to live." I mutter, "You haven't slept in three days, you'd fall asleep at the wheel."

He nods, climbing into the passenger seat, and he's out within minutes.

I hum along quietly to the tinkling radio and continue the rest of the way to the apartment building.

We could go to my place, but my mom is actually home for once, and of course she couldn't see Mase without totally losing her shit.

See, she's been on me about finding a new guy for months now. After we moved, it wasn't the same as it was in California. I think she's worried about me feeling miserable or depressed, but quite honestly, I've never felt better.

Once we arrive, I cut the ignition, and hop out of my side and walk over to the passenger side.

"Mason." I smile, reaching across him to unbuckle his seat belt. His eyes flutter open, of course when I'm halfway across his lap trying to unbuckle him.

"I could get used to this." He winks, his hands finding their way to my hips and squeezing gently, "Are you trying to take advantage of me while I'm sleeping? Because I'd be more than happy to let you do it while I'm awake. That might make things a little easier."

"Who's the molester now?" I tease.

"Darling, it's not molesting when I could have you relishing in it the entire time."

I roll my eyes, and jump out of the car, "Let's go."

He lazily climbs out and slams the door behind him, "Why are we going to Elle's?"

"Because my mother could potentially be in mine, and that is not something you need to witness."

"Why not? Is little Lexi embarrassed of me?" He chuckles.

"Oh, most definitely." I nod, following him up to Elle's apartment.

"What's to be embarrassed about?" He asks, using the key from Elle to unlock the door.

I shrug, "She's weird with guys. I haven't had a boyfriend since we left California."

"I'm not your first then?"

"Who says we're dating?" I smirk.

"Oh, really." He grins, pulling me with him to the guest room.

"We haven't made anything official."

"Tell me about your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend anymore, obviously."

"That's because you met me."

"Oh, you've got nothing on him." I tease.

"Hmm.." He pulls me onto the bed with him and lays me down, my head falling gently onto the pillow as he traces slow circles on the side of my stomach, before leaning towards me, breathing gently onto my neck, "Was he allowed to do this?"

I nod, still smirking up at him.

He captures my lips in his, moving slowly and running his fingers down my sides, giving me chills, as he continues kissing me.

I sigh, and pull him closer to me, both of us now moving against each other. His abs press against my stomach, and his hands cradle my chin, and I can feel the remarkable muscles inside of him, and can sense the sweat and determination he must have put in to get this way.

Damn, what the hell am I doing?

Of course, in the moment I don't care. His lips are soft, and the tension against mine felt like oxygen, and I needed it to live.

He smiles at me, "Lexa, Lexa, Lexa."

-

[INTERVIEWER] Did you have any romantic acquaintances at the time?

[SUSPECT] Uh, no not with me. I had a few that I hung out with occasionally, but not that night.

[INTERVIEWER] You say a few, do these girls know of the nonexclusivity?

[SUSPECT] I do things with them rarely. So no.

[INTERVIEWER] Do you have any occupation at the moment?

[SUSPECT] Yeah, I work part time, couple a days a week taking tickets at a movie theater.

[INTERVIEWER] And you were off the night you met Parker?

[SUSPECT] Yes, yes I was. How many more questions are there? I told you, I didn't do anything.

[INTERVIEWER] Your cooperation is much appreciated, sir. Please continue that.

[SUSPECT] Whatever.

[INTERVIEWER] Do you have any family members you can speak of?

[SUSPECT] My mom, and a brother.

[INTERVIEWER] Were they aware of your night out?

[SUSPECT] I don't live with them. So no.

[INTERVIEWER] How old were you when you moved out? And why did you stop living with them?

[SUSPECT] I was sixteen, and I, uh, got kicked out.

[INTERVIEWER] Why did you get kicked out? And by who?

[SUSPECT] I got a girl pregnant. I was kicked out by my mom, who didn't want the same, habits, I guess you could call them, to start occurring with my brother as well.

[INTERVIEWER] Was this girl a girlfriend?

[SUSPECT] No.

[INTERVIEWER] Did you offer to help raise the child, or provide money, or necessities of any sort?

[SUSPECT] I did not.

[INTERVIEWER] What happened to this girl?

[SUSPECT] Could we please not talk about this? It doesn't affect this case in any way.

[INTERVIEWER] Every detail is important.

[SUSPECT] Thanks, I haven't heard that answer before.

[INTERVIEWER] What was her name?

[SUSPECT] Her name..it's Elle Jansen.

AUTHORS NOTE
thanks for 125k reads! love y'all, keep sending fan art, I love it!

Also major drama and the overall climax of the story is being layed out in these next five-ten chapters and I'm so excited, I can't wait so expect a lot of updates soon.

QUESTION
many of you guessed Parker in the last chapter as the suspect...hm..guess it wasn't him. do you have any ideas as to who it could be now?