Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
CARLOS
The bottom falls out of my world. Is Ned saying he wants to break up? “Why would you say that?” I whisper, forcing the words through my suddenly too-tight throat.
He scoffs. “Come on, Carlos. Let’s stop pretending. Things haven’t been okay with us for a while now.”
Fuck. “Maybe, but that doesn’t mean… Do you wish we weren’t together?”
“No!” He looks away. “But neither of us has been happy lately.”
“I love you,” I blurt desperately. “I know things haven’t been good, but I can fix them. Just… give me a chance.”
“Awww! That’s so sweet,” a woman sighs.
Ned and I stare at each other for a second, then look around.
Two women are standing about five feet away. I swear they weren’t there a minute ago, and I definitely didn’t notice them approach, but I guess I was kind of preoccupied, what with trying not to lose the love of my life.
“Uh… hi.” I paste on a bright smile. “Sorry, we didn’t know anyone was here.
I’m Carlos, and this is Ned. Are you the caretakers?
” My smile falters as I take them in. One looks like a grandmotherly schoolmistress, and the other looks like my niece does when she plays dress-up in her mother’s closet.
Clothes of all styles are mismatched together, and she’s wearing more jewelry than a pimp on payday.
It’s a fashion disaster, completely discordant, and oddly endearing.
“We do take care of the place,” the older woman says with a friendly smile. “I’m Hattie.”
“And I’m Maisie. It’s so nice to meet you both!” She looks from me to Ned. “Are you breaking up?”
“Maisie!” Hattie snaps, and Maisie pouts.
“Well, it doesn’t hurt to ask. They both seem very nice, and a girl needs to look out for herself.”
I blink. Does she mean…?
“We’re both gay,” Ned tells her. “Sorry. You seem lovely, but even if we b-break up, you’re not our type.” I’m glad to hear his voice crack—it means I still have a chance.
“Are you sure?” she checks. “Bisexuality is a thing, you know. I heard all about it recently. Maybe you should give that a chance.”
Ned’s cheeks turn pink behind his beard, probably from trying not to laugh.
“Been there, done that,” I commiserate. “I dated women until I was in my twenties.”
She sighs and looks at Ned.
“I’ve dated women too.”
“And it definitely wasn’t for you?” she checks. “Because I can be very accommodating.”
My six-foot-three, built-like-a-brick-shithouse boyfriend takes a step back.
“He’s definitely gay,” I say, coming to his rescue. “But we’re both very flattered by your interest.”
“I’m doomed to be alone, I’m afraid. At least you didn’t just use me for a night and discard me.”
Whoa, this is not okay. “Do you need help? Is your living situation safe?”
“We know people who can help you,” Ned adds.
“She’s fine,” Hattie assures us. “I’m more interested in both of you. It sounds like you’re going through a hard time.”
Reality crash lands around me.
“I’m sorry you had to hear that,” Ned says stiffly. “We didn’t know anyone was here. Do you live on the property?” He looks around, but aside from the boarded-up house and some old, falling-down structures not far away, there’s nothing in sight.
“Oh yes, we live in the house,” Maisie burbles. “We’ve been here for ages.”
Squatters? Lenore said the place was abandoned, but I would have thought that with teenagers here all the time, squatters wouldn’t find it very convenient. Plus, they’re very fresh and tidy for people who’ve been living in an abandoned house with no running water.
“Let’s not get sidetracked,” Hattie insists. “You’re such lovely young men, and I can’t bear the thought that you’ll leave here heartbroken. What seems to be the trouble in your relationship?”
Wow. Really? We’re going to be counseled by two random women at an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere?
Come to think of it, this could be the beginning of a serial killer documentary.
“We’re not going to die, Carlos,” Ned says, proving once again just how well he knows me.
Maisie sniffs. “You will someday, and it’ll come when you least expect it.”
Ned and I exchange glances, and this time we both take a step back.
“She’s being philosophical,” Hattie informs us. “Stop that, Maisie. They think you want to turn them into skin suits.”
Maisie’s big eyes and false eyelashes blink. “Oh, no. I would never wear a skin suit. They’re so boring and plain. I like pizzazz in my fashion.”
That’s… one word for it.
“Now… neither of you have been happy, but you both seem to love each other.” Hattie looks enquiringly from me to Ned.
“I do,” I confess, and Ned nods.
“I’ve never loved anyone else like this.”
I take a breath, feeling like a massive weight has been lifted off my chest. He loves me still. We can work through the rest.
“So what’s the problem, then?”
Ned hesitates, then bursts out, “I’m too boring.”
“What?” I stare at him. “Why would you say that? You’re not boring.”
Maisie waves her hands. “Wait, please. The others will want to hear this.”
I turn to her. “What others—” As I watch, she literally disappears. As in… poof. Gone.
What the fuck?