Page 119 of Three for a Girl

Rain beat on the meadows, releasing an earthy smell. Chad breathed it deep into his lungs and sighed as drops streaked down his face.

Carter unclipped his belt. He threw open his own door, rushing around the hood of the car to get to Chad.

“That’s not funny.”

He held his hand out, spreading his fingers, shaking it at Chad. His brow tightened, and his lips pressed in a firm line. Chad didn’t say anything to him, he squeezed the keys in his fist and walked towards the outhouse.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Come on.” Chad said over his shoulder. “There’s things we’ve got to talk about.”

“What things?”

“You’ll see.”

He didn’t turn back again, but listened as Carter’s shoes crunched on the gravel. Chad opened the door and listened to familiar buzzing coming from the lights. Carter stepped inside, and shut the door behind himself.

“You just keep getting stranger and stranger.” He stood level with Chad and gestured to the huge space. “What’s with the furniture?”

“Addiction, obsession. I guess.”

“So I’ve got my cars and you’ve got this.” Carter said, slipping his sunglasses into his hair. “Look, I’ve had a long day.”

“So have I.”

Chad started walking down one of the aisles, but Carter was quick to block his path. “Come on, enough.”

“You need to take a seat.”

“No, I need you to give me my keys.”

Chad moved around him and carried on going.

Carter huffed, following behind. “I’ve tried to be nice.”

“Deceptively nice.”

“I didn’t have to drive you home. I didn’t have to help you on the side of the road that night either.”

Chad turned to face him. “Why did you?”

“I told you I was being nice, I’ve been nothing but nice to you.”

“Why?”

Carter scrunched up his face. “What the hell do you mean why?”

“Was it because you’re a good person, or was it because you’re very good at being evil?”

“Clearly you’ve got issues to sort out. Maybe you need to book a new appointment with that therapist of yours.”

Chad tilted his head. “How do you know I have a therapist?”

Carter avoided his eyes and instead shoved his hand into his pocket. He retrieved his phone, and wagged it at Chad.

“How did you know?” Chad asked again.

Carter didn’t answer. He glanced down to his phone then back at Chad. “Last warning.”

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