Page 86 of Close Your Eyes and Count to 10

“Cool, cool,” said Gregg when he didn’t answer. “A pacifist.”

A wimp,a doormat, that’s what Violet would say. What shedidsay. What was the difference? he wondered. He couldn’t wait to tell Violet about Marco. He was probably going to get suspended. Fighting in the bathroom, then cutting. It was a lot.

They pulled past the supermarket, the big mall with the Target and the gym. The daylight looked funny, like on a sick day because that’s the only time he was out of school during the week. Then they were on the wooded road that led out of town. They drove awhile, and Blake kept his eyes on the road behind in the side-view mirror. There were no other cars, hadn’t been even once since they left town. That was good.

“So what kind of errand is this?” asked Gregg. On the radio Mick Jagger was unsatisfied. “You’re not in any trouble, are you?”

“Up here on the right,” said Blake.

Gregg shot him a quick glance. “There’s nothing out here.”

It was true. His destination was still a solid mile away. But he couldn’t have Gregg or anyone driving him all the way.That’s why he hadn’t called an Uber. The rules were clear, no one could know where he was or what he was doing.

“I’m good,” he said. “Really.”

Gregg gave him a concerned frown but pulled over. Blake opened the door and lugged his big pack out. The leaves around them were turning yellow, red, brown, falling, the air crisp, smelling of wet grass.

“Brah, I don’t love leaving you here. Sure you’re okay?”

“I’m good,” said Blake with a nod. “And—just—bro code, right? No one ever needs to know you dropped me here.”

Gregg’s hazel eyes were serious, if a little glassy. “Bro code.”

“Thanks for this. I owe you.” Blake shut the door, and the sound of it echoed in the quiet.

Gregg looked at him long through the window, then gave a quick nod. Blake waited until he was out of sight before shouldering the heavy pack and heading down the road.

After a while he dipped into the trees. He knew his way, and it was better to stay out of sight.

31

MAVERICK—Live on WeWatch

Okay, Extremists. As you may have seen on Malinka’s live stream, things have gotten a little hairy here just as the challenge is supposed to begin. People are freaking out, and understandably so, because of Malinka’s suspicions that we know something about Chloe Miranda. Now, my good friend and CFO Alex Tang is also missing. Right? That’s what they’re saying.

Well, look. He’s not missing.

We had a disagreement—nothing big, just the usual CEO-CFO tug-of-war over money. And he decided not to stay for the challenge. So that’s it.

Honestly? I think he just wanted to get home to his wife and new baby. You know how it is. I promise he’s going to turn up at home and be like,WTF you guys, I’m fine.So we’re definitely not worried about Alex, and you shouldn’t be, either.

As for Chloe?

There’s truthfully nothing left to say. You can find my statements on the subject in all the news coverage over the last year. No one here is a suspect. And no one has any more information.

So…just chill.

I’m sorry for Chloe’s family. I wish I could give them closure. It’s true, Chloe and I did hook up. Once. A looong time ago, before I met Angeline, who you all know is the love of my life. I care about Chloe, we all do, and hope that she’s okay somehow, somewhere.

And, Chloe, if you’re watching, please come home. Your family misses you and needs some answers.

If anyone out there knows what happened to her, please, please come forward.

Now, as for our challenge, the one you’ve all been waiting for.

We have our three kick-ass contestants. Wild Cody, everyone’s favorite wilderness explorer and television star. Most of us grew up watching him and learning about the world and all its flora and fauna. He definitely gave me the travel itch. Welcome, Cody!

[A cool nod from Cody, thumbs-up.]

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