Black Temptation

Chapter 53

"Um...so I guess what he wants me to say is. Uh..."

His black shadow creeps through the crowd. My mind is taken off the people staring and there's a long, awkward pause. He disappears and McKenzie ushers me to speak. Looking back, half of the crowd is annoyed/indifferent or both.

"I....I can't."

Feet paced, I jump off the stage and grab McKenzie, intended on running her out the door but she pulls back.

"What's wrong?" She asks, blindly, "What did he say to you?"

"It's not what he said." I say, trying to pull her out the door.

"Stop. Tell me what happened."

"I can't. Not here."

"Harry-"

"It's not safe for you."

She jerks her hand out from mine, practically slapping me in the face.

"I thought we were passed this." Looking down, she asks.

"McKenzie, not now. Please just let's go." I keep urging to my hand yet she won't budge.

"I won't. I can't. Susan needs to know what really happened. She needs to stop living with the evilness she feels. We owe her that much. I owe her that much."

"What do you mean you owe her?"

"Look, as much as she sucks as a person and a wife. She was my friend and I betrayed her trust by mingling with you. Growing a relationship with you."

"So what if I had told you earlier? What if it hadn't worked out? Would you still be eager to tell her?"

"Harry, you make it sound like I'm doing this at the expense of our relationship. Like I regret loving you."

I'm silent.

"You don't think I regret it? Well I don't. This madness will end with us if I tell her. Please, you don't have to understand but you have to support."

If I let her go, she could...scratch that...she would run into Charles and I-don't even want to think about it. But if I don't she'll resent me. There's-

"Harry! Hurry quick! We need your help! There's a fight!

When I look up, McKenzie's gone.

And so is Charles....