David paused, then pecked out a couple more words. Nick leaned in, scanning the text.
I understand my actions haveeffectedAubrey MacLean in an extremely unfortunate manner...
He jabbed a finger at the screen. “No, it’saffected. With ana.”
David squinted. “What? Where?”
“Here.” Nick pointed again.
“Oh. Are you sure? Does it actually matter?”
Nick grumbled. “Of course it matters.Affectedandeffectedare two completely different words. Just because they sound the same doesn’t mean they have identical meanings. And if you want people to take you seriously, you should pay attention to stuff like this. Say what you mean. Mean what you say. Spell it right while you’re at it.”
David hunkered in his chair. “Fine,” he muttered, but dutifully backed up the cursor and corrected the mistake.
Nick read over the final version and fixed four more typos, but at least he agreed with David’s wording. It was almost like the guy had been cooking up this letter for a while.
Still, when it came time to send, they both stared at the mouse, awaiting the other’s move.
Nick swallowed. Once this email reached its destination, Aubrey would have the option to disappear from his life. Forever.
But... she’d also be happy.
He reached for the mouse.
“Are you sure?” David whimpered.
Nick clicked Send. Simple. As easy as cutting his own rope so he wouldn’t drag his climbing partner off the cliff with him. Done.
And to be extra sure, he printed out a copy and folded it into his pocket. Just in case.
David started crying again. A grim satisfaction settled in Nick’s bones, imbuing his steps with steely weight as he made for the door.
“Hey.” David sniffled behind him.
Nick turned. “Yeah?”
“Are you leaving already? Do you want some more juice, maybe?”
He narrowed his eyes.Werethere cameras in the walls, recording this absurdity for posterity? “No, thanks.”
“Who are you, anyway? Are you like, her boyfriend?”
His stomach shrank to a pinpoint. “No. Definitely not.”
“Okay. But... you’ll tell her I did the right thing, won’t you?”
Jesus, did this bag of dicks want credit? “I think she’ll hear about it eventually, whether I tell her or not.”
“Oh. Yeah, you’re probably right.” David clutched his knees. “But Osos... they’re going to fire me, aren’t they?”
“I really hope so.” Nick sailed through the door and let it slam shut behind him, then hurried down the hall, trying to escape David’s question. It insisted on bouncing around in his skull, anyway, a mockery.Areyouher boyfriend?
Not anymore, but he would forever cherish the sevenmonths in which he’d worn that title. In which Aubrey had bettered his existence.
But now their hourglass had run out. The timer had ticked over to zero.
He’d just made sure of it himself.
