The Cheater Read Free

got it all figured out, Carter thought. Itreally might work. Dan would be upset if he found out—but he
won’t
find out.
    Carter was pretty, and she knew how to handle guys. She’d go out with Adam once, get rid of him, and not tell a soul about it. It was almost too easy.
    This thought made her pause. She studied Adam again. She’d never realized before that he was interested in her—she’d never even given him much thought.
    Now that she was looking at him, she couldn’t help but think he was cute, in a dark, brooding way. He didn’t have Dan’s all-American good looks, but he had something Dan didn’t have—an air of mystery, a sexy kind of daring. He was standing behind the counter now, meeting her gaze, slouching, cool as ever.
    â€œAll right,” she said. “One date.”
    Now he smiled—just a little. “Let’s make it Saturday, the night of the test.”
    â€œI can’t,” Carter said. “I have a date that night. With Dan.”
    â€œBreak it,” Adam replied.
    She raised her eyebrows in surprise. But she knew she’d break her date with Dan. Just this once.
    Another thought occurred to her. “What is Sheila going to say about this?” she asked Adam.
    Sheila Coss was Adam’s girlfriend. Carter didn’t know Sheila well, but she’d always felt a little afraid of her. She was tough and didn’t mind getting into fights.
    Adam said, “What Sheila doesn’t know won’t hurt her.”
    Carter nodded. “Well, I’d better get out of here. See you.”
    She waited for Adam to reply. Instead he picked up a rag and started wiping up.

    Carter woke up with a start on Saturday morning and looked at her clock—eight A.M. She quickly got dressed. She had to pretend to be going to Waynesbridge.
    Her father was already shut up in his study when she went downstairs to grab a glass of juice. Mrs. Phillips was on her way out the door.
    â€œWhat are you doing up so early?” she asked Carter.
    â€œI’m taking the math achievement test today,” Carter said. “Remember?”
    â€œOh, that’s right. Well, good luck, dear. I’m off to the country club. The Spring Fling is almost here, and we’ve still got so much planning to do!”
    She threw her daughter a quick kiss and hurried out the door.
    Carter finished her juice and left. She got into her car and drove toward Waynesbridge. But she passed the Waynesbridge exit and continued on to the nearby state park instead. She parked under some leafless trees and sat in the car, waiting.
    Staring at the clock on the dashboard. Nine. Adam would be starting the test.
    Carter felt her stomach knot up. I hope everything goes okay, she thought.
    I hope he really shows up and takes it. I hope no one catches him. I hope they don’t ask him for ID. I hope no one recognizes him. I hope I don’t get caught…
    Three hours later she started the car and drove home. Her mother was still out, her father still locked up in his study.
    Carter checked the answering machine for messages. There had been no calls. She wanted to hear from Adam, to know what had happened.
    She was sitting in the kitchen when her father came to get his lunch. He looked tired, but he smiled when he saw her. “Carter, you’re back. I didn’t hear you come in.”
    She felt her face grow warm. To hide her blushing, she went to the refrigerator and started digging through the shelves. “Hi, Daddy. Can I fix you a sandwich?”
    Judge Phillips sat down at the kitchen table. “How did the test go?”
    â€œGreat,” said Carter. “I think I really aced it this time.”
    â€œI’m glad to hear it. I knew you could do better.”
    Carter’s face reddened even more, but the judge didn’t notice. She busied herself making him a hamsandwich. She was just dropping it on a plate when the phone rang. She nearly