"What is your problem?" Megan asked, resentment ringing in her tone. "Why do you believe that every thing you touch is yours?"
"Why can't it?" "Because, I don't like you."
Clay sighed, but said nothing.
With her back against the wall, Megan stared ahead, never looking at him, despite his attempts. He will not charm his way into my life again.Colby offered friendship, trust, support, and laughter, and that's what she wanted. What did Clay mean by saying she had much to learn? Would he ridicule her naiveté?
"Are you going to keep quiet all night?" he asked.
"All night," she muttered and then gulped. Surely Brett had sent out a search party, but where would they look? If Brett asked Colby, would he help? "Since you know so much about life," she said, "care to share a few secrets?"
Clay licked his lips and pulled his long, black hair into a ponytail, using a red leather cord. Memories flooded the cave. Megan closed her eyes, but that brought the visions to the forefront. She opened her eyes and looked at Clay. What would it take to make him disappear?
"I didn't bring you here because I like you," he said. "I brought you here to get even with Colby."
She leaned against the wall, her mind trying to comprehend his words. When her mind quieted she asked, "Why? What did he do to you?" "Nothing."
This man does nothing but riddle me with confusion."I don't understand."
"No, you wouldn't." Clay rubbed his chin. "How do I explain this to a tenderfoot?" His long eyelashes fluttered in thought. "You got praise for everything you did, right?" After she nodded, he continued. "Were you ever compared to Brett?"
She thought for a moment and then shook her head.
"All my life I heard, 'Be more like Colby. Study hard. Learn a trade. Go to college and do something with your life.'" Clay paused for a minute. "What I wanted was to ride horses and work outside."
"What's wrong with that?" she asked.
"My dad is an architect; my mom is a teacher, and Colby is an ad exec. I am the oddball." When Clay knelt before her, the hollow look in his black eyes broke her heart. "Do you understand?" he said, grabbing her arm.
"Yes, but."
"No buts, Megan." He squeezed her arm tighter and she buckled under his grip.