Page 141 of Three for a Girl

She squeezed his hand, so fleeting he barely noticed her touch.

“Now come on, I need inspiration for my next pair of glasses. Then again, Josh’s idea of fancy is having a napkin with his burger and fries.”

Chad looked over to the dips and molds in the ground.

They wouldn’t have to wait long until they were unearthed, their secrets shared for the better.

Chad had to ensure his own secrets stayed buried.

He’d die for Romeo, but more than that, he’d kill for him, too.

Epilogue

Chad leaned against the house, watching the men marching back and forth into the outhouse. They struggled out with the furniture, knocking into the door frame, and releasing a barrage of curse words. He inwardly winced, wondering if Romeo was watching from an upstairs window. He didn’t look in case he drew attention to him.

The truck was already piled high with furniture. Like a huge game of Jenga, Chad feared for the men once they got to their destination. He could picture a table sliding from the top and landing on one of them.

Help for the Homeless was printed down the side of the truck, and Chad hoped the furniture donation helped. Romeo had bought expensive kits, and apart from the ones he’d smashed in frustration, they were well made.

The door to the truck came down, and the padlock on the bottom was secured.

One of the men approached him with a clipboard at the ready. “That was the last piece.”

“Except for the two walnut desks in the middle.”

The man snorted. “They’re looking kind of lonely.”

Chad chuckled, signing the papers and passed the board back.

“You live out here on your own?”

“Yeah.”

The man looked around. “You should think about getting yourself a guard dog or something.”

“I’ve got one.”

“Yeah?”

“He’s beautiful, but he’s got an evil side. He’s chained up in the house.”

The man swallowed. “I didn’t hear him.”

“He’s the type of dog who bites first barks later.”

“Maybe you should put up some warning signs.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

The man backed off a few steps before turning and rushing towards the truck. He jumped into the cab, and the engine spluttered into life. The truck trundled off down the road until it was a dot in the distance.

“Woof, fucking woof.”

Chad laughed, looking over to Romeo. “I always imagined you’d growl.”

He sauntered over, wrapped his arms around Chad’s middle, and growled into Chad’s neck. His skin tingled, and he shoved Romeo away, laughing.

“You kept the puzzles though, right?”

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