Page 13 of Defenseless
Chad:Because I wouldn’t worry about Colton, so it feels like maybe I shouldn’t worry about you. I know you’re capable of taking care of yourself and Mystery Lake is safe…
Sabina:Statistically, men are more likely to be victims of random violence, but since I’m not a statistic—nor do I want to be—I appreciate the concern
He chuckled at that.
Chad:Always
The statement wasn’t hyperbole. He’d been concerned about her for a long time, and his conversation with Ethan hadn’t put his mind at ease.
He wasn’t sure if the text thread with Sabina was over, so he set his phone on the bathroom counter then began stripping out of his clothes. He was brushing his teeth when another message came in.
Sabina:Thank you for inviting me out tonight. I know I didn’t get the invite until I was already there, but it was nice of you all to think of me. Your family are good people
Chad almost snorted toothpaste foam at that. His cousinsweregood people, at heart, but that didn’t mean they weregood.
Chad:Nah, we’re not that good. Well, except for maybe Asher. He’s good. But since he’s a doctor, he kind of has to be
Sabina: (gasping emoji)I don’t believe you. And being a doctor does not, inherently, make someone good
Chad:Ask Ethan next time you see him. He’ll back me up
A few seconds later, a new text string popped up; this time, she’d looped Ethan in.
Sabina: Chad says I’m supposed to ask you whether you and your cousins are good people
Ethan: (snort emoji)No, except for maybe Asher
Chad:Told you
Sabina: (huffy emoji)I don’t believe you
Chad:Tell her about the great camping debacle
As he typed the text, he walked into his bedroom and climbed into his king-size bed.
Ethan:Dude, we agreed never to discuss that
Sabina:Discuss, please
Chad:I didn’t agree to never discuss. You’re thinking of Cody, for, well, obvious reasons
Sabina:What obvious reasons???
Ethan:None
Chad:It involved ants and certain sensitive male body parts
Ethan:Really??? You’re going there?
Chad:You and Cody were total shits, you got what you deserved
Ethan:No one deserves ants in their boxer shorts, asshole
Sabina: (spitting out coffee emoji)
Chad:They do when they think they are being cute by luring bears to our campground
Sabina:Okay, I have to give that one to Chad. I don’t know much about camping, but it seems like a bad idea to invite bears into the vicinity
