Page 116 of Chasing Infinity

“We’ll leave you alone,” Jordan mutters when my father gets closer, and then he and Caleb scatter as quickly as they can. I nearly laugh,cowards.

“Noah!” my father shouts at me. Underneath his harsh tone, I’m almost surprised to hear a hint of worry. “What the hell happened? The chief told me there was a fire, and you were running out of it. You could’ve been killed!”

I stare at the pavement as he continues to rant about the danger. As he goes on, my mood plummets with every word that comes out of his mouth. It might be all the smoke that I inhaled, or maybe the overall events of the evening, but suddenly, all I can think about is the way my father was watching Mr. Parks last night—calculative and threatening. I don’t want it to be true. Still, the more I mull over the convenience of the events, the more I convince myself I’m right. Maybe this is what I’ve been feeling has been off this whole time.

I don’t waste any more time as I stand up, throwing the blanket off my shoulders and grabbing my father’s jacket. I pull him towards me in a surprising show of strength. “What have you done?”

If my father is surprised by my outburst, he gives nothing away. Instead, any sign of worry or concern he was showing me before slips away. “I’m not sure what you mean,” he responds to me, his voice level and calm.

“I know this was you. You did this. Why?” I growl at him through my teeth. I’m sure I sound just as unhinged as I’m feeling on the inside. Depths of darkness swirl within me, and I can’t contain my anger. After tonight’s events, all I want to do is rage and yell.

“Son,” he says, his tone condescending as if he is trying to reason with me. “I was in a council meeting all evening. Ask anyone there. I never left.”

“Then how’d you know I was here?”

“I told you, Sullivan called me and told me you were involved in the fire at the Parks’ café.”

“How did you know that’s what happened?” I snarl.

My father blinks at me as if I’m an idiot. “What are you talking about? There are fire trucks everywhere, and the building is onfire. Not to mention, aside from all of that, this is my town. I always know what’s going on.”

I recognize his deflection, and I sneer at him. “Cut the shit. You’ve threatened Mr. Parks before. I wouldn’t put it past you to light this whole place up. It would be a good way to send a clear message, huh?”

“This is clearly an electrical fire. It was an old building. Use some sense, son,” he says dryly, fingers reaching up and attempting to pry my grip off him. “I know you’re upset, but you need to calm down.”

“Addison’s parents were trapped in there,” I growl at him. “People I cared about died. How could I be calm about this?”

“When the Parks locked those storeroom doors, they couldn’t have known this would happen,” my father says, trying to appease me. “They blatantly ignored the fire codes.”

“How would you know the doors were locked?” I growl at him. “I overheard the firemen say that information was confidential.”

“Noah, what are you rambling about? Who cares about locked doors?” my father questions. “I don’t see what your point is.”

“Why did you do this?” I yell at him. “I know you’re behind this, so just answer my damn question! What, did you find out I was getting closer to Mr. Parks? Asking too many questions? Figured that you better just get rid of him before I leaked too many of your secrets? What is it, tell me!”

My father huffs and rolls his eyes. “You’ve been through a lot tonight, Noah. We need to get you to the hospital and then get you home. Your mother is worried sick, and you’re concerning me too.”

“Your words mean nothing to me! Addison’s parents aredeadbecause of you!” As I say those words, my voice cracks, and I attempt to maintain my stance.

“Noah, all that smoke must have gone to your head.” His voice has switched to a performative tone as onlookers stare at us. Then pulling me closer as if he was giving me a hug, he says darkly, “Now stop this. You’re making a scene. I have had no part in whatever you’re accusing me of. As I said, I’ve been at the courthouse all evening. Come on, let’s get you out of here.” With an exaggerated pat on my back, he pulls away and then places his hand on my shoulder with an intense grip, but I shrug him off.

“Stop lying and just admit it! This would be nothing for you to pull off. I know what you’re capable of.”

My father glares right back at me, seemingly reaching the end of his rope. His expression takes on a more menacing air, and he steps closer to me until only inches separate our faces. His voice is low as he says his following words so that only I can hear them. He leans forward, eyes steely and threatening. “Then you should know that crossing me might not be in your best interest. Get out of my sight, Noah, before you say something you can’t take back. I need to speak with the fire chief.”

My father strides away, leaving me gasping in his wake. Even with all my accusations toward him, I didn’t expect him to give anything away. I have no proof, but he all but confirmed my suspicions anyway.

He did this. I’m sure of it.

“I’ll tell them!” I shout after him. He’s about eight feet from me, but he halts and turns on his heel to face me again.

He stares at me for a beat and then shakes his head, laughing under his breath as if I’m an amusing child. “Don’t be a fool, Noah. Let this go and focus on your girlfriend.”

My father doesn’t say a word to me, instead turning away and walking toward where the fire chief is talking to his crew. I stare, shell-shocked, at the space where he was standing only a minute ago. Something in my heart cracks, and despair floods over me. My knees buckle, and I kneel on the pavement, staring blankly after my father.

Vaguely, I register someone calling my name. Then hands are shaking me out of whatever trance I’m in. I look up with glazed eyes and see Charlie Sullivan leaning toward me. It’s his hands on my shoulders, trying to get my attention.

“Hey, snap out of it,” Sully says to me. I blink a few times, and his face entirely comes into focus. I notice Eli standing behind him, arms crossed over his chest, his jaw clenched tight. “Where’s Addison? We’ve been looking all over for her, but no one will tell us what’s happening.”

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