Free The Cheater by R.L. Stine Page B

open it.
    â€œIt’s one thousand dollars, cash,” Carter said. “Exactly what you asked for.”
    He put the envelope in his pocket. “I’ll count it later,” he said. “But it had better all be there.”
    â€œIt is,” Carter said firmly. “Now, I expect you to get out of my life, leave me alone, never speak to me again.”
    She stared at him, trying to intimidate him. He stared back, unwavering.
    A man at the end of the counter shouted, “Hey! Can I get a menu, please?”
    â€œAdam!” Carter said. “Did you hear what I said?”
    â€œI’ve got a customer to take care of,” Adam said. He walked away.
    Carter grabbed her backpack and hurried out.
    I’ve just given him a thousand dollars, shethought. He’s got to be satisfied with that. He’s just
got
to be!

    Carter didn’t see Adam after she gave him the money, except during math class. And then he ignored her, pretended he didn’t know her, just as before—before the test, the dates, before the terrible last couple of weeks.
    At the end of school on Friday Carter breathed a sigh of relief.
    It worked, she thought. Adam hasn’t bothered me for three whole days. At last, he’s out of my life. It took a thousand dollars, but I’m rid of him.

    â€œGary asked me what we did last Saturday night,” Jill said. “I changed the subject, but what if he asks me again? Should I tell him the truth?”
    Jill and Carter were standing outside the library, ready to go home for the weekend. Jill had a date with Gary that night.
    â€œDon’t tell him,” Carter advised. “You don’t know him well enough yet. You don’t know how he’d react if you told him you went out with a guy like Ray.”
    â€œI hate to lie to him, though—” said Jill.
    â€œYou don’t have to lie,” Carter said. “Just be vague. Just say you and I went to some club in the Old Village to hear a band. He doesn’t have to know more than that.”
    Dan came by. Carter flashed Jill a look that said,“Shush—no more talk about this,” and smiled at him.
    â€œHi, girls,” Dan said.
    Jill said, “I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later, Carter.”
    â€œâ€™Bye, Jill.”
    Carter and Dan started out of the school building toward the student parking lot.
    â€œDoing anything tonight?” Dan asked her.
    â€œNothing,” Carter said happily. “I—’m free as a bird.”
    â€œWhy don’t you come over to my house? We can rent a movie.”
    â€œThat sounds great.” What a relief, she thought. No more lies. No more excuses.
    She had her boyfriend back; she had her life back. She was so happy, she could hardly believe it.
    After dinner she dressed to go to Dan’s house. Nothing special. Still, Carter loved to put on a neat, clean, knee-length skirt and a yellow sweater. She topped it off with a blue ribbon in her hair.
    I can wear anything I want! she thought happily. I don’t have to try to look tough. I can be myself again!
    She drove across North Hills to Dan’s house, about a mile away. He opened the door for her and she kissed him hello. He looked beautiful to her in his chinos and blue polo shirt. She felt safe with him, she thought.
    She walked into the living room to say hello toDan’s parents. Mr. and Mrs. Mason had always liked Carter. Then she and Dan went downstairs to watch TV.
    â€œI rented
Batman Returns and Wayne’s World,”
Dan told her. “Which one do you want to watch?”
    â€œBatman,
definitely,” said Carter. She’d already seen it, but didn’t care. “I’m not in a comedy mood.”
    â€œReally?” said Dan. He had narrowed his eyes, studying her face. “Is there a reason?”
    What was the matter with him? “What do you mean?” she asked. “A reason for what?”
    â€œA reason