Page 39 of The Silence of Hell

What the hell was that about? He couldn’t be angry because I’d accepted a date off Tatum. Tatum was tall, muscled, and handsome. He was also educated and could hold a conversation. Basically, Tatum was perfect.

Plus, Tatum wouldn’t be so crass to set a relationship time limit. Nope. Not at all. Nor would Tatum swap cars because me being seen in his meant things he did not want.

I was looking forward to the date. But a small part of me wished it had been Chatter. But whatever. I wasn’t anyone’s fuck buddy, and I certainly didn’t come with a time limit.

Chatter

It took everything he had not to plant his fist in that asshole’s smug face. Chatter gritted his teeth as Tatum headed to his car with a happy smile. He had hated hearing Tatum ask Lavender on a date, and, even worse, he had not expected the kick in his gut when she accepted.

Chatter blew his cheeks out as he wrestled his wayward emotions under control. He’d offered Lavender what he could, and she’d turned him down. That was not his issue. Actually, it wasn’t anyone’s problem. Lavender was looking for long-term, and he wouldn’t commit.

But Chatter hated Lavender dating Tatum. Even though on paper, they were the perfect match. Hell, Chatter disliked that even more!

What was wrong with him? Was Lavender wriggling her way under his skin? Chatter had kept his walls up ever since Hallie’s death, and for good reason. He never wanted to experience similar pain again. But somehow, he’d managed to have full-on conversations with Lavender instead of his usual grunts.

Chatter shook his head. Everything was getting so damn confusing; he didn’t know which was up and which was down. Lavender was tempting him, and Chatter didn’t want the emotional entanglement. Basically, Chatter realised he needed to get a grip on his emotions, or all hell would break loose!

Chapter Nine.

Lavender

Tatum picked me up dead on six, looking handsome in his jeans and tee, and I was glad I hadn’t dressed up too much. Tatum handed me a small bag.

I laughed when I pulled out the gift.

“Thought you had enough dolls, but I couldn’t resist,” Tatum said with a chuckle. It had to be one of the creepiest things I’d ever seen, but I loved it. It was a doll’s head, flattened at the back with spider legs coming out of it. The doll was on a chain with a hoop so I could hang it somewhere.

“I got the perfect place. Thank you, that is the most disturbing gift I have received,” I said, still laughing.

“When I saw it, I just knew it belonged at the Manor. It fits in beautifully with the haunted house atmosphere,” Tatum replied, grinning.

“Where’s this shop? I love quirky stuff.”

“Oh, you’d love this place.” Tatum moved his hand out in front of him, and we walked down the steps together and headed for his car.

Tatum opened my door, and I got in and smiled as he walked around to the driver’s side.

“The film starts at half seven, but I thought we’d get something to eat. There’s some stalls and vendors we can look at,” Tatum said.

“And plus, we need to grab a good spot,” I agreed.

“That too!”

It was only a short drive to the field the movie was being played in, and he hadn’t been wrong. Although it was only twenty past six, there were a lot of people here already, and the food stalls had large queues.

“What do you fancy?” Tatum asked as we checked the vendors out. We were spoiled for choice: Mexican, hot dogs, jacket potatoes, burger, doughnuts, pizza and a hog roast.

“All of it!” I laughed.

“How much can you eat?” Tatum chuckled.

“Anything you don’t like?”

“I’m good, Lavender, what do you want?”

“A hotdog, but I like them halfway through the movie. How about… urgh. Burgers… no! Tacos, wait, they’re messy, let’s stick with burgers and fries,” I said.

Tatum began laughing at my indecisiveness. “Let’s get in the queue before you change your mind again!”

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