Chapter 4

The one thing I've been terrified of my whole life is snakes.

So the instant that snake came flying at me, my whole body froze like it had been nailed to the ground.

By the time it registered and I tried to scramble back, I was too slow.

The snake sank its fangs hard into my calf.

My legs buckled and I crumpled to the ground.

And what reached my ears was howling laughter.

"Hahahaha, Lorraine, look at your boyfriend!"

Bradley pointed at me and roared with laughter.

"Keith, you're such a coward — scared so bad your face went white."

"This snake isn't venomous. I just heard your footsteps and figured I'd play a little joke on you…"

Lorraine stood beside him, laughing and egging him on.

"Keith, you really are too much of a coward. You should take some lessons from Brad."

"He was reaching bare-handed into a hornets' nest earlier. That takes nerve."

I ignored the two of them and their carrying on, staring in silence at the bite on my calf.

A cold spread through me.

"Venomous or not, do you two actually think this is funny?"

The air went dead quiet in an instant.

Seeing that I was angry, the grin on Bradley's face faded a little.

"Come on, you're not actually mad, are you?"

"A grown man. You're not going to be this petty about it, are you?"

He came over smiling to help me up. "Between brothers it's just a joke, that's all…"

"Don't come near me."

I coldly threw off his hand. "Give me my ID."

Bradley looked at my face and couldn't muster a smile anymore, so he obediently handed my ID over.

"Keith, I really was just messing with you. Don't be mad, okay?"

Bradley chased after me to apologize, but Lorraine stopped him.

"That's just how he gets. You don't have to coax him, he'll be fine in a bit. Leave him alone."

"Didn't you want to fish? I promise I'll land you a big one today."

Watching the two of them, a matched pair, run off to the riverbank to fish with such excitement,

I turned away, bitter, and went to bandage the wound myself.

A girl in a white dress saw how clumsy I was at it and stepped in to help.

"That was your girlfriend just now?"

"Not very loyal of her."

"Why don't you find someone else to love? What do you say?"

My head snapped up, and the person in front of me turned out to be Ramona Fox, from my school.

"Ramona, thank you."

"But I don't plan on dating again for now. As for breaking up, I'll go back and think it over."

After I got home I packed my things, and it wasn't until three days later

that Lorraine and Bradley finally touched down and came back, taking turns apologizing to me.

"I'm sorry, Keith."

"We didn't realize you weren't having a good time and went home by yourself."

"After we got back I thought about it for a long time. It really was my oversight, deciding on the country cabin on my own. The whole trip wasn't a great experience for you."

Bradley looked all wounded.

"So we came to apologize."

"See, we even got a new cake to make it up to you."

The cake in Lorraine's hands looked exquisite.

Bradley said, grinning, that the engagement ring was inside the cake.

The moment I found it, Lorraine would propose to me.

I choked down the nausea and the cloying sweetness and ate the entire cake, and I never got to that ring.

Lorraine burst out laughing.

"Keith, you really are a glutton. Don't tell me you ate the ring into your stomach?"

While I sat there in a mess, Bradley suddenly held up his finger to show it off.

"I was afraid Keith would swallow it, so I put the ring on my hand ahead of time."

"Keith, shouldn't you be thanking me?"

He didn't want to take it off, admiring it with a sigh.

"Lorraine, how are you so good at picking these? It fits me perfectly."

"I don't even want to take it off…"

And I, forcing down the sickness and discomfort in my gut, tugged at the corner of my mouth.

"It does fit well."

"Then you keep it."

I turned and walked away. This time I wasn't going to want any of it.

While I was outside getting some air, a message from Lorraine came through.

"Don't be mad anymore. I bought you your favorite mango cake. I'll bring it to you when I get back."

I stared at the message, and then I laughed.

Six years together, and Lorraine still couldn't tell.

Which one of us, me or Bradley, was the one who loved mango cake.

If that's how it is.

Lorraine, I'm letting you go.

I turned around and headed home, then took my packed suitcase and made for the airport.

Looking down at the boarding pass in my hand, I called my mother.

"Mom, I'm coming home today. That arranged-match partner you mentioned last time… is she still available?"

My mother went silent for three seconds.

Then her voice broke out in a joy she couldn't hold back:

"Yes! Yes yes yes! Her situation is wonderful, she's beautiful, she's good at her job, she's just never dated anyone… You're willing?!"

"Mm."

I gripped the phone. "When do we meet?"

"Today! I'll have them set it up!"