Chapter Six — Callum
Where is that little brat? I scan the streets again. I look back at the hot dog stand. Something about it is off. I carefully examine each person in line. Nope, nope, nope.
Then my eyes flick inside. It can’t be. I step closer. Yep, that’s her. Hiding in the hot dog stand. I don’t know if I should be impressed or annoyed. I mean, is that cheating?
She’s outside, I guess. But in a sense, all buildings are outside. Is a hot dog stand a building? Is it a vehicle? Again, though, if there’s ambiguity, that’s on me. I make the rules. And if there’s a lack of clarity, it has to be resolved in her favor. Fair is fair.
I look at my watch. There’s only five minutes left. I’m torn. Part of me wants to go right up to her and catch her. But the other part of me wants her to have the win. Hell, I feel like she deserves it.
I thought this would be easy. I thought I’d catch her in the first five minutes. But she’s had me running around, and she somehow stayed within the vicinity of the park for the first half of the game. She’s clever, this girl.
Each time I think she can’t do any better, she somehow impresses me. I feel like she deserves the win. Fuck, am I getting soft?
I check my phone. Three more minutes. I have to decide, and I have to decide quick.
I glance in again and she’s smiling. I just can’t do it.
As much as I want to go in there and capture her and make her mine, I want her to have this win. She’s earned it. And besides, there’s still time. I can still carry out my plan.
Also, I think there’s a part of me that isn’t ready yet. Despite my big talk with Trent earlier, I am nervous about pushing her too far. I want to hang out in this gray zone just a bit longer, while we still can.