How to Kill a Man in Thirty Seconds

Chapter 62: Moonlight

My head throbbed, my eyes drowsy with sleep as I staggered down the cement road, past the open lake. My body ached from crouching, knees and hands soiled and dirtied from the hours I'd spent crouched beside his window.

It was the following morning. I felt humiliated, furious, and exhausted. The night had not taken it easy on Oliver and me; our hair and clothes were drenched from a torrential downpour that had lasted hours and for much of it, we had barely maintained our shivers.

I reached the deck that stood over the lake.

I am going to murder Adrian by the end of this.

No sooner had I finished the thought that I registered a familiar figure seated atop the deck. His legs drawn up against his chest, Adrian was wearily staring out over the hilltops that surrounded the black waters, deep in thought.

The sound of my footfalls on the wooden floorboards awoke him from his stupor. His head turned, surprise flickering in his eyes as he registered me. Guilt took over as he pulled himself to his feet, before he registered the mess I was in, and it transformed into shock.

His eyes widened suddenly, and he'd shot forward in an instant, "Charley, what the heck happened?!"

Before I could answer the question, Adrian had grabbed my hands, turning them over hurriedly, checking me frantically as if to confirm that there were no injuries. Fear clouded his eyes.

Realizing I was unscathed, his grip relaxed just slightly.

His green eyes darted to me, "What happened?"

A pang of irritation shot through me.

"Nothing that concerns you."

Worry flickered in his eyes, "Charley, I'm sorry I chased you away. And I'm sorry I stood you up. You have no idea how much I was looking forward to that date-"

I pried his hands off me, casting him a glare.

"Don't touch me," I spat pettily.

Hurt flashed in his eyes, "Charley, I'm being serious. What-"

"Don't 'Charley' me!" I cried angrily, and I jabbed my finger at his chest, "Adrian Hunt, you are the biggest, meanest, most selfish jerk I have ever met! I hate you! I hate you so goddamn much! You are a horrible, horrible person and I deserve so much better than you!"

Adrian stared at me in confusion and then his gaze flickered over me, registered my torn trousers, disheveled hair, and bloodshot eyes. His eyes widened in horror as his mind connected the dots.

"Charley, I heard... a noise outside my window last night. I thought it was an animal. That... wasn't you, was it?"

"Go ahead. Laugh," I snapped.

Adrian only stared at me in shock.

"I have never felt more ridiculous in my life. Do you realize how fucking hard it rained last night?! How cold it was?! I was dying for sleep, but I couldn't even sit down for fear I would doze off! I was terrified your father would come out and find me, but I couldn't even leave! And all for what?! Because you chickened out in an instant!"

Adrian looked horrified as guilt filled his eyes again, "Charley, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I wouldn't have let you if I knew-"

"Exactly!" I bellowed, and he flinched, "You wouldn't have let me! You would've kicked me out, then stayed in there, stupidly. That's why I didn't tell you!"

"Charley," he made to move forward.

I drew back in an instant, outstretched hand holding him at bay and struggled to rein in my anger.