Chapter 27
Him
He should have gone to Utah to find her. Packed up his stuff and just driven there. He’s a pussy for not doing that.
She might want him to save her. And even if she doesn’t, he should have gone anyway.
He wonders whether she’d put up a fight. The image makes him feel conflicted. Sad and excited. Hard done by, but lucky. He pushes his laptop away for a moment, catches his breath.
At least there’s nobody’s around him this time. No nosy workmates asking why he’s watching a kid’s YouTube channel. He’s alone in his trailer, work done for the day, a four-pack for company. Just how he likes it.
He drags the video back three minutes. He’s watched the film from the start – the skateboarding crash, the water volleyball – and it was good to see her smiling and giggling in the water. But he doesn’t need to see that a second time.
This is what he needs to see again. The kiss.
Although is it even that? The sticker appearing at the wrong moment, hiding their faces as the boy leans toward her, teasing their audience.
Maybe, Maybe Maple.
His palms are sweaty, so he picks up his drink, uses the chilled aluminum can to cool his hands. He takes a long swig, feels the cold liquid swill in his gut.
Did she kiss him? Did she fucking kiss that dude? He crunches the empty can.
He needs to see her, really see her. Not her kissing some skateboarding jerk with cartoon stickers flying around. But the true, whole Maple Clark.
But how?
Maybe the mom could offer a way in.
He’s heard the stories, how money talks with moms like her. He’s broke, of course, barely has a pot to piss in. But maybe the promise of wealth and glory will be enough if he aims high. And the sky’s the limit when it comes to fake promises.
He clicks on the @_MaybeMaple_ channel profile. There’s an email address there, an opportunity to connect privately. He can’t use his own contact details; that would be stupid. But there are ways to stay anonymous. A VPN and a new email address is all it requires.
He opens another can and sets to work. He makes up a name, one that gives nothing of his identity away, and crafts a message that he imagines will seduce a woman like her.
Because if the mom is going to agree to this, he needs her defenses right down low.