When Truth Surface (Book #2 of "When Secrets Surface")

Chapter 22

Sophie's POV

I went under the moist and damp bleachers.

"Hey, beautiful," Zach said pulling me into a kiss.

The kiss was gentle at first but it began to deepen and he slipped his arms around my waist and I wrapped my arms around his neck.

We both pulled back smiling.

I pulled him into a hug and he hugged me back.

It felt like we were in our  little bubble.

"When do you want to tell everybody about you know us?" Zach said.

"Give me a few days, okay?" I mumbled against his chest.

"Sure," He replied.

Just then my phone buzzed in my pocket and I opened the message.

_______________________________________

Unknown

_______________________________________

Naylene's curls are beautiful, would be a shame to cut them.

You enjoyed that kiss right? Such a shame if I take Zach.

I've had 30 chances today to take you far far away.
_______________________________________

"Are you okay?" Zach's eyes stared through my soul searching for answers.

"I'm fine," I managed to cough out.

"You're lying," Zach said.

"What do you mean I'm lying?" I yelled back in defense.

"When you lie you don't make eye contact," Zach said with a small smile across his face.

"Shut up," I said suddenly remembering Mom told me that once I think she's right.

"Don't be like that babe," Zach and I stepped out from underneath the bleachers and sat on top of them.

I let out a long sigh, "Zach, can I ask you something?"

I started to play with my fingers. I only do that when I'm nervous.

"Sure anything?" He said.

Anything? I repeated to myself.

"Did you ever meet Naylene?" I said, his facial expression suddenly became neutral.

"As in Nichole's sister, Naylene?" Zach asked keeping his unreadable expression.

I just nodded.

"As in Naylene Millers," Zach repeated.

"That's the one," I said.

"No, never why would I?" Zach said his expression serious.

"I just feel like I'm failing Nichole and I just don't know anymore," I huffed and rested my head on his shoulder.

One part is a lie and the other is the truth.

I do feel like I am failing Nichole but I do know why I asked him the question.

My boyfriend is literally on my persons of interest list of people who could have possibly kidnapped my best friend's sister who has been missing for over a month now.

Huh. Ironic, isn't it?

"Thanks anyway I need to head home and take a nap," I feel bad for lying to him.

I'm not going to rest until I find Naylene.

Dorothy's POV

"Guess what?" I exclaimed.

Sophie sighed but I spoke regardless

"So after extensive research, Ethan wasn't even in Inglewood at the time," I explained.

"You're bluffing," Sophie scoffed.

"Look at this," I handed over a large stack of paper to her.

She went through the document.

"You're right and it said he left at 4 am on the day before the surprise party and returned a week after," Sophie's eyes filled with shock.

I gave myself a pat on my back and sat next to her.

"How did you get this you freakin genius?" She lifted her head, her eyes filled with awe.

"I spent the whole of last night
going through the train station's digital trip records and saw it and I was like this is big like really big," I explained feeling  proud of myself.

Good job self you sacrificed your sleep to save your twin's best friend's sister.

"If I did that I would have a headache for the rest of the day because you know," Sophie's voice trailed off.

"Yeah, that's why I'm not you," I said with a smile.

Sophie rolled her eyes and playfully smacked me.

"Ow," I cried.

"Oh come on you are so dramatic Dori," She said jokingly.

"Anyways, look here," I said.

Persons of interest

Alex

Mark Millers(Father)

Layla(Best Friend)

Roy Mendez

Zach Smith

Ethan

"Cross out Ethan," I said.

"No I won't because I am still interested in him," Sophie said her voice filled with certainty.

"What do you mean?" I raised an eyebrow curious to know what happened.

"Zach," Sophie started.

"Of course," I interrupted.

"Why are you like this?" Sophie huffed in frustration.

"I saw your little moment on the bleachers when he was stroking your hair and your head was on his shoulder. It was sooo cute," I said trying to get a rise out of her.

"Shut up okay you weren't supposed to see that... anyway Zach, Ethan, Roy and Tyler," Sophie picked up from where she left off from my necessary interruption.

"What about them?" I asked.

"They have similar facial features the same blue eyes and sandy brown hair," Sophie continued.

"Where are you going with this?" I interrupted.

"Naylene was searching for all of them and I think she was looking for a certain person. A person with all those people," Sophie said.

"So you're telling me that she's looking for 1 type of guy?" I repeated.

"She's looking for Lil Ash," Sophie stated.

"Ash had a son and after they arrested his father they changed his name and they moved him to a different state,"  Sophie explained.

"So you're saying because Naylene was searching for Ash-related stuff she was  looking for his son,"

"Exactly, that means Lil Ash is in Inglewood and is one of them," Sophie replied.

"But even if we ask them if they are Lil Ash they wouldn't tell them because they know they could be dead," I retorted.

Which one of them is Lil Ash?