Infinity Chapter 9 - Casey's Confession

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Chapter 9 – Casey’s Confession
POV:  Emily
Word count: 3425


February 17, 2013

I had gotten up early with Alexander, Ace however was already awake and making breakfast in the kitchen, they’d loved the pictures and it had been a good weekend. I still had lingering doubts but I may always have those considering what David did.

“You know you don’t have to cook.”

“I know, but I was awake and don’t mind. Sometimes I hate flying just for the insomnia feelings I get.”

“I know jetlag is horrible when we return from Australia, my brain is always off for days.”

He smiled. “Mine is too sometimes.”

I sat down with Alexander and nursed him there in the living room and watched as he fixed eggs, pancakes, bacon and sausage. He then took Alexander so I could eat, I watched him play with him and get little grins and giggles as I ate.

“Did you ever really want children after me?”

He looked up at me. “I wanted a lot of kids, maybe it’s why I got along with Isabella so well because she wanted more as well. Although, her pregnancy with you was kind of rough, she did say she would want to wait until you were much older.”

“How come you did do like adoption or something?”

“Adoption agencies don’t generally like single parents or gay couples. Besides, Zander and I are always gone and now we have three grandsons to spoil rotten, so we get to make up. He never wanted children that much.”

“Don’t listen to him Emily, I tried for a year to get him to apply for an adoption papers.” Zander said.

I grinned and finished eating, Zander fixed his plate and Zac came down about 9.

“Casey sent me a text and said he would be here around 4:45, I’m not sure why but he’s fixing us dinner.”

“Dear god what did he mess up?” I asked.

“Guess we’ll know after dinner.”

He fixed a plate and ate and we lounged and talked, they played with Alexander and it was comfortable. About 3 they left to head home and Zac was holding Alexander who had fallen asleep. Casey sent a message that said he was almost here about the time Zac declared something was gross and when I looked at him I could see the dark coloring around the edge of the onesie and all over his shirt.

“That does it, we’re changing diaper brands.”

“Do you want me to take him?”

“No. I need clean clothes as well and I’m sure he needs a bath now. Casey should be here any moment.”

“Ok.” I said.

He got up carefully and vanished up-stairs; I let Casey in when he arrived. He came inside with several bags and sat them on the counter.

“Where are the other two?”

“Alexander had to be bathed after his latest diaper explosion; Zac even had to change this time. We decided that it was the brand and we’re changing them, because he’s not over filling them or anything, there just not holding.”

“I noticed that myself wasn’t sure what to say though. I mean, I’m no baby expert.”

I helped him put the items on the counter and eyed the steaks. “I get the distinct feeling this is a bribery dinner.”

He looked at me and smiled, this was totally weird for him and I could see there was something up with him. He began to prep potatoes and cut up carrots. Zac came down with Alexander about forty-five minutes later and Alexander was not happy.

“He is mad at me and he wants you and he wants food.” He stated.

“Didn’t much like the bathe?” I asked.

“No, he liked it he hated when I got him out. Fought to get clothes on and really it’s past his feeding time.”

I took him from Zac and went to the stool; I wanted to be part of the conversation as well. It took a moment to calm him down some before he latched well. I noticed Zac was watching Casey pretty closely, because from what I can tell this was Zac’s favorite meal.

“You didn’t do anything that we’ve not figured out have you? Messed up a track or deleted something critical?”

“Nope, none of that.”

He crossed his arms and stared at Casey waiting for an explanation for this sudden dinner. Casey said nothing.

“Well, I assume by your silence your waiting until after dinner to tell us why you’re here?”

“I am.”

“Is it something we’re going to be pissed off about?” I asked.

He dropped the potatoes into the boiling water and looked at me. “I honestly don’t know, but I am hoping that it’s not.”

“That usually means it will.” Zac said.

“Yep.” I agreed.

“Again, I’m hoping it’s not. Just relax, I got this.”

I moved to the living room with Zac and after he finished nursing Zac played with him some, before Casey got done I laid a blanket down in the floor between the table and island and put Alexander’s play mat there. When he told us to come eat, Zac laid him down there to play. Casey seemed so nervous and afraid; I was beginning to wonder if he had done something like delete the new album or delete final copies of something. Dinner was fantastic, Casey really was a great cook and when we were done he sent us to the living room to occupy Alexander while he cleaned up. Zac and I both gave each other confused and perplexed expressions cooked and cleaned? This was clearly something neither of us were going to like. He finally came in and sat down on the love seat to our left, Alexander was blissfully playing in the floor, kicking at the lights and sounds of the mat.

“So, you want to tell us what’s going on?” I asked.

He rubbed his hands on his pants, looked almost terrified. Ok, we both had tempers but this was ridiculous!

“First, I want to say that I’m sorry.”

I looked at Zac and it was very clear, whatever he was about to tell us wasn’t good but we waited anyway.

“I lied to you Zac; I was never at a western store north of here. I know there is one because Taylor’s mentioned it. When you called me I was sitting in Max and Maddi’s living room. She asked me not to say where I was.”

I blinked. “You saw them this year?”

“Yes. Before we went to the island event you had mentioned the numbers being changed. I got curious, because Max has always been good about giving me new numbers or e-mails, we may not talk all the time but he’s always made sure I had his number. So, when I called and he hadn’t given me the number I got worried. Likewise, the events in November should not have caused them to break contact because it would be unfair for Maddi to blame you or be mad at you. I felt like there was another reason, especially when Max also cut me off.”

“Ok. So you lied to me about where you were, but that really wasn’t news to me Casey. I knew you lied to me when you told me where you were. Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“I know she stopped because of November Casey, she was mad. That’s the only logical explanation.” I said.

She’s cut me off after finding out, what else was I supposed to believe?

He took a deep breath. “Maddi stopped calling you and cut you off because when you left after Thanksgiving you hugged, right?”

“Yeah.” I said.

“She had a vision of someone watching you; she didn’t really give me major details about the vision itself. She said it scared her and made her think her stalker was going to target you, Alexander, or even Zac.”

That confused me, because I was under the impression her stalker was in jail in Missouri. Yet, the look on Zac’s face really seemed to scare Casey and hell, me too!

“She has a stalker?”  Zac asked.

Casey took a deep breath again. “She thought Jason was it, but when they came through Tulsa headed home, when they met you guys, she got a note at the Fat boys they went too. But, she didn’t think much about it at the time, it wasn’t something threatening it was just odd. Once home she said things were normal and then a few things occurred, but again it wasn’t something that screamed it was about her.”

I could tell Zac was about to blow a gasket so I laid my hand on his thigh and squeeze hard. “Let him finish, Zac.”

Casey looked at us. “He’s not going to like the next part Emily, odds are you won’t either.”

“Say it.” Zac growled.

I kept my hand on his thigh, I couldn’t really do much if he attacked Casey, but maybe my hand there would remind him not too.

“After you left her house in November she had some problems, messages that lead to her calling the police. This man that is stalking her was inside the house, Emily he was inside the house while you were there. I know he was because when I cleaned out Alexander’s diaper bag I found a note that said not alone, I thought it was just your way of coping or something but it’s the same notes that her stalker left.”

Zac’s hand clenched in his thighs hard, but my eyes were solely on Casey. He slid away from both of us.

“Her stalker? You mean someone who meant her harm was inside that house while I was there?”

“Yes. She didn’t know he was there, she really didn’t know it was something very serious until then. She cut you off not because of what happened in November, but because she was trying to protect you and Alexander. She didn’t want him to assume that if he hurt you, it would hurt her as well. Emily she knew you’d be upset but she said she would rather you be pissed off at her than to become a target for something that has nothing to do with you.”

Zac was still clenching his thighs but he was calming some. “Her stalker was inside the fucking house while my wife and son were there and she never fucking bothered to tell us?”

Casey lowered his head. “She wanted to protect them Zac.”

I tightened my hand and he glanced at me. “There’s bound to be more, let him finish.”

“I went down because I was honestly pissed that you were upset over it, I didn’t want to believe that she would be that way. Obviously after you left the police became involved, they were shaken up and they were told to change their numbers and not give them out. He didn’t call me because he knew I am around the two of you all the time. She just didn’t want this guy to come after you.”

Zac was pissed; I could feel him shaking under my hand.

“Why are you telling us now then?” His voice vibrated with anger

“Do you remember a few days before we left the retreat, you commented on me acting weird?”

“Yes.” We said.

“I was acting weird because Max had called me, I asked him to keep me informed. He said that Maddi had been kidnapped from her friend’s home. I told him I thought I saw her but couldn’t be sure. The man started dating her friend to get close to her; he wanted to take couples pictures and lured her over. He knocked the friend out, left Riley there screaming in her seat and took Maddi.”

Zac didn’t quite look as pissed, just stunned.

“Maddi was gone for four days, Max sent me a text message that simply said they had found her and he would call me with more details when he could.”

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell us?” I asked.

Both of them looked at me a little stunned. “You hadn’t talked to her Emily, you didn’t even know and while she made news it wasn’t a big story here. Likewise, you guys never watch the news!”

“Ok. So, when did they find her?”

“The fourth.”

“Did he call you with more details?”

“He called me Saturday, I sent messages asking but they were busy. She was pretty emotional because this guy told her Riley was dead and she wasn’t. So, it took some time for them to get the full story which we didn’t talk long.”

“Stop procrastinating Casey, what did Max tell you?” Zac asked.

“She was gone for four days, during that time the man, Mark Stillman, beat her pretty badly, he raped her a few times over the days, and she was shot and had emergency surgery. Which was another reason why it took him so long, he didn’t tell me the extent of the injuries just that she would be ok and the doctor’s expected a full recovery. She’s back in Maysville now.”

I wasn’t sure whether to be concerned or pissed but Zac was pissed. When he got up and walked out of the room, I made no effort to go after him. I wasn’t sure why he was pissed but I had a pretty good idea.

“He’s pretty pissed. I would image it was not because you lied to us it’s that Maddi knew something was going on and didn’t stop me from coming down.”

“She didn’t think it was a major problem until you left, she saw this guy watching and freaked out. She knows about Adam and David and she didn’t want you become a target.”

“I understand that, but she should have just told me.”

It got quiet; there wasn’t much he knew so there wasn’t much he could tell us beyond what he’d just said.

“Max said she wanted to call you sooner, but I told him not to because I know how Zac is. If they had showed up and dropped this…”

“I would have knocked him the fuck out and told her to get the fuck off my property.” Zac said.

Casey looked absolutely terrified at how close Zac was to him, he was standing at the back of the love seat. I watched as Zac leaned over the back of the sofa and looked at him, I watched Casey’s eyes travel from his face down to his ass.

“My face is this way Casey.” Zac said.

He moved them back but the light red was there.

“I am beyond pissed that they didn’t bother to even say anything to either of us, not even you, about the potential danger. Vision or not, I strongly believe that Maddi should have told us she felt like someone was watching her. But, that was her choice. You however, made the decision in January to not even tell us anything.”

“Not even when she was kidnapped.” I said.

“She asked me not too, the police made them change the numbers and all and I mean, really I agreed with her. It kept you safe and off the radar.”

Zac looked at me and then back to me. “I understand that Casey.”

“But you’re still mad?” He asked.

“Casey, just because they told you not to say anything, didn’t mean you had to abide by that. You know how we are, what if Emily took the notion to drive down? What if this guy contacted us anyway? None of you considered that, everyone decided what was best for us without ever asking us.”

“I agree with Zac there, what if this guy contacts me and said Maddi wanted me down? I had no idea she was being watched. You chose to do what you felt was best and while we appreciate that, it’s just not the right decision. Don’t worry Casey; I don’t blame you for that decision. You were following what she asked you to do. I get it. But, in January you said absolutely nothing to either of us about it, she gets kidnapped and you didn’t say shit to us.”

He sat there quietly and Zac returned to the seat beside me, Alexander had quietly played himself to sleep but he’d be up soon.

“You volunteered to talk to us first didn’t you?” Zac asked.

He smiled some. “I know how your tempers are, I just didn’t want you both to get all pissed and say something you didn’t really mean. Yes, we should have asked for your opinions and let you know, but at the same time she just didn’t want to put you in the mess, not after what happen.”

It got quiet again and I was thinking about what he’d say, her stalker had gotten bad quick. I couldn’t say that I did blame her for wanting to simply protect us. But, Casey had known for a while and added, he didn’t think we’d at least want to know she was kidnapped? I was letting my eyes travel over his body, as I considered how mad I was.

“I do not like the way she’s looking at me Zac.” Casey declared.

I smiled some. “Oh, you shouldn’t be looking at Zac to determine what exactly you deserve for this. I understand the reason but you still lied to us and you didn’t even consider that I at least would want to know that she was kidnapped.”

“I was afraid of that…” he said.

Zac turned and looked at me and there was this supreme sparkle in his eyes and I knew he had some wicked idea, he leaned in close.

“Roller Coasters…”

It took me a few moments to connect the dots and I smiled, but we didn’t have time to coordinate my plan.

“You’ll get your punishment, be assured but it won’t be now.”

“It won’t?” He asked.

“Nope. You’ll get your punishment but it will occur later on this year while we’re on tour.”

“On tour? Emily…”

Even Zac looked a little shocked. “On tour?”

Alexander was already moving some and I got him. “On tour this fall, I’ll need to do some research anyway and determine how I want to do this. Oh, you’ll enjoy it very much.”

He looked terrified and amazed at the same time.  He wouldn’t like his punishment and it was a long time away, but I really did need to make plans, do research, and know that not only would he be punished but he would also have a good time. I fed Alexander and Casey left at 9, I put Alexander in bed and looked at Zac.

“You’re still mad.”

“I keep thinking what if he came out and hurt you? He hurt her friend and left her baby alone, what if he did that when you were there?”

I smiled. “I would have whipped his ass with a belt and made him reconsider. Really Zac, it’s a past event and neither of us was hurt.”

“I know. It’s just why didn’t she just tell you?”

I got his hands and pulled him to me. “The same reason we didn’t tell everyone, I admire that you’re mad because she didn’t tell us, but really Zac it was her decision and she made the right one in her mind. We can’t change that and honestly you enjoy having Max as a friend, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then do you really want to be mad at them?”

“No.”

“Maddi made the choice, we don’t have to like it but we you even have to admit her wanting to protect me is a good thing.”

“I guess.”

I kissed his neck and lightly nipped. “You guess?”

“Now you’re being evil…bribing me.”

“We have a right to be upset and mad, but really Maddi did what she felt was the right thing, she saw someone watching us and she made her decision on that. We can’t fault her for that Zac.”

“I’m sketchy on her visions still, but I see your point.”

“Besides, we have a busy week and I’ll get her number and talk to her. I would image what she went through was hard, the man told her Riley was dead. I can’t image what that feels like.”

“I couldn’t.”

He kissed my forehead and after a few more sweet kisses to my forehead we decided to head on to bed, he’d need some time to calm down, but I knew he’d warm up to them.