“Yeah, that’s not happening.”
“He’s helping her work tomorrow. He wants to be the first to co-write with her.”
“That’ll be the only first he gets.”
“And what? You’ll take the other?” He turned. “You, Priest Duvall, her brother!”
“Stepbrother. You know that, you fucker.”
“I do, but does she?”
“What’s that supposed to mean? This is stupid. Why are we talking about this? What about your accident? What happened with that?” I sat on a beach chair and shoved my boots on.
“I’d rather not discuss that.” He tightened his fists and tugged on his jacket.
“It wasn’t an accident.” I had heard about what he’d done, but the local paper must have gotten the last bit wrong. Carson seemed… fine.
“I said I don’t want to talk about it!” he snapped, startling me.
“My bad. Okay, we won’t talk about it. I just… I was sorry to hear about it.”
“So was everyone else. Now, on to you fucking your sister. Did you not figure that shit out while you were gone?”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Fair enough. Laney has grown, hasn’t she? I mean, she was cute back then, but now… I don’t blame anyone who shoots their shot.”
“If you try to hit on her, Carson, I’ll?—”
He put his hands up with a chuckle. “Don’t worry. I’m safe. I saw you exploring the maze. How did you like it?”
I shrugged uncomfortably, remembering the enclosed feeling. “Why are the hedges so tall?”
“So that no one climbs them. You got out just fine.”
“Panic is a great motivator.” I snatched the mask off the tile. “Did you dig this out of the snow just to fuck with me? Or did you put it there in the first place?” I waved it in his face.
“I did not do either. Although I do recall the visitor who abandoned it there. He’d gotten lost in the maze.”There was an uncomfortable silence when he didn’t elaborate. I didn’t believe him. How else had the mask gotten inside and with my belongings? I sighed and looked toward the door.
“Well, all right. I guess I’ll see you around the hotel. Maybe on your off time, we can catch each other for a beer or something.” Carson, while looking just as I’d remembered, only slightly older, was different now. I couldn’t place it directly, but the hair on my neck stood with alarm. I had no intention of catching him for a drink. In fact, I was going to avoid him as much as I could.
“Sure. And maybe then we can talk about your stint at the psycho ward.” He laughed.
I paused with my hand on the knob. “Excuse me?”
“They wanted to send me there, but I didn’t want to be associated with people like you.”
“Like me?” I turned back. He didn’t know shit about me.
“We all heard the stories about you two. Delaney was being hauled off to a nunnery and you were taken to Cunningham’s. The nunnery must have worked since she’s still playing the innocent little girl. The better question is, did the nuthouse work for you too?”
I closed my eyes. “Stop.”
“Why? What are you gonna do? Run me through with an axe?” He laughed, and I launched at him, shoving him straightinto the pool. Water exploded all over the room as my childhood friend flailed, trying to catch his balance.
I scooped my stuff back up and stormed out, not bothering to check to make sure he caught his breath. He could fucking drown for all I cared. I was sure he wouldn’t mind, considering his little accident just months ago.
I returned to the suite, tossing everything on my bed, and despite myself, I began tugging at my hair and pacing.The nuthouse. The psycho ward. How fucking dare he. Was he going to go around the hotel telling everyone what he thought he knew? Everything he’d been told was just rumors. If he knew so much, he’d know about how I left the fucking place.
