Chapter 21: Imminent Death Deferred
Through the windshield of Susie Carmichael's car, Phil DeVille stared at the retreating backs of Chuck and Angelica. Chuck had insisted he felt fine, but Angelica, somewhat uncharacteristically, had insisted on accompanying him upstairs to get him settled in. It made sense, in a way. After all, Angelica probably felt a little guilty about Matt clocking Chuck, though for once it wasn't something that was entirely her fault. Even so, Phil sensed that something weird was going on.
Next to him, Susie threw the gearshift in reverse and began pulling out of the lot of Chuck's apartment complex. "So," she said suddenly, silkily, "would you like to come back to my place for a bit to hang out? Or would you like me to drop you off at your dorm?"
There was no question where he wanted to go. But that left the question of where he should go. "I'd love to hang out at your sorority house, Susie," he began, and glancing over, he saw her smile. "But I don't think I should."
Her smile immediately dropped away. "Why?"
"Um, because when Angelica comes back to your room, she'll kill me." He drummed his fingers on the armrest. Just thinking about Angie made him slightly nervous. Inexplicably, Susie's smile returned, and he laughed while asking, "What? Is my imminent death funny?"
"Phil."
"Yeah?"
"Angie isn't coming back home tonight." She paused, shooting him a brief, smug look. "You do know that, don't you?"
He hadn't known that, and he wondered how on earth she did. He thought it over. Surely Angelica wouldn't have to stay all night just to make sure Chuck was okay. Nor would she want to. Clearly there was something he was still missing. In his most intimidating voice he threatened, "You better fess up to what you know, Carmichael, or I will be forced to tickle you to death."
Thoroughly non-intimidated, Susie laughed. She reached out, eyes still on the road, and brushed her fingers over Phil's forearm, sending a sudden heat rushing through him. "All you need to know," she told him, "is that I'm right."
Actually, that might not be a bad general policy, Phil realized.
Relaxing a little, Phil settled back into the plush leather car seats. "I'll take your word for it," he replied dryly. His fingers continued to drum against the armrest, this time thoughtfully instead of nervously. "It's too bad that Tom's plan for Chuck didn't get a chance to work."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Susie said airily, wearing a mysterious expression, her dark brown eyes sparkling.
Phil just shook his head. He'd known Susie Carmichael almost his entire life, but he wasn't sure he'd ever fully understand her. Oh, well. Maybe later tonight, if he remembered, he'd ask her what she meant. But when Susie glanced over and shot him another smile, Phil forgot everything except how beautiful was this woman beside him, who seemed attracted to him for reasons unknown and unknowable.
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Author's Notes: My apologies, again—I'm in the midst of exams (of the particularly evil law school variety) and just don't have much time to updates. But updates will continue. And will become more frequent post-exams. (There's only about another four or five chapters, by the way.