Page 44 of The Invite
Yours for another’s.
A week and then I’m coming to collect.
Xoxo, A.
Oh, an NDA will not save you from me.
Fuming, I pick upthe second envelope and read its contents.
Secrets rule the world.
Not a mean queen bee
I found yours.
You will bow to me.
A hint: Roses are red, Violets are blue
Scarlett is a slut, and her younger self was too.
My lips will stay sealed,
If you play my game.
A secret for a secret.
Yours for another’s.
A week and then I’m coming to collect.
Xoxo, A.
Oh, your big brother can’t save you from me.
Once done, I glance at Scarlett who is worrying her lip. I wave the note at her. “Don’t tell me you’re taking some random notes seriously.”
She stares back at me in disbelief. “How the hell aren’t you?”
“Because it means nothing. Anyone could’ve written them. It doesn’t mean they know our secret. They are just throwing a dart in the dark just to see where it lands. They picked the wrong people.”
“What if they do, Gus? I-I’m worried.”
Standing from the bed, I take the notes along with the envelopes toward the fireplace.
“What are you doing, Gus?” says Scarlett in a panic.
“Burning them.” I throw all of it into the fire and watch it turn into ashes as the orange flames lick it. Small hands shove me aside and I move back to allow Scarlett to step forward.
“The fuck!”
“There! They’re gone now.”
She turns to me and throws up her hands. “Didn’t you read the hints?”
“You’re letting it get to your head, Scarlett.” Pulling her closer, I cup her shoulders and peer at her softly. “Only three people know the truth. Two of them are us and the third is rotting dead in hell.”
“But—”
