His Affection Meter Hit 100% novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: The Fine Print

I walked out onto the club terrace with the panel open in my sight.

Frankie came after me, swaying, and I took her elbow and sat her on a bench in the sun.

"Read it," she said. "Whatever it's saying. Out loud."

"It has never said anything before."

"Then ask it."

I looked at the gray lines.

"What happens at a hundred?" I asked.

The last time I had asked, it had gone blank.

This time the answer came at once.

*TERMS ARE DISCLOSED TO THE HIGHEST ACCOUNT AT NINETY.*

*AT 100: ONE RIDE HOME. ONE FARE.*

*FARE: HEATH GRESHAM. ALL REMAINING.*

*CLOCK: ELEVEN HOURS FROM 100.*

I read it aloud to Frankie, and she shut her eyes.

"Ask about refusing," she said.

I asked.

*A HOST MAY REFUSE THE RIDE.*

*REFUSAL AT 100 VOIDS THE FARE FOR ALL ACCOUNTS.*

*ALL ACCOUNTS CLOSE. THE GAUGE CLOSES.*

"It ends," I whispered. "It all ends. Summer, the number, everything."

"What's the catch?" Frankie said.

I asked again.

*PRICE OF REFUSAL: THE RIDE HOME.*

*NO RETURN. EVER.*

The sun was warm on the terrace, and I could not feel it.

*PRIOR REFUSAL: GUTHRIE, FRANKIE.*

*NOT AT 100. VOID. ACCOUNT HELD OPEN.*

I told her that too.

"Held open," she said, and laughed once without humor. "That's what I've been. I turned it down at fifteen, when it was nothing. It never closed. It just kept me watching."

"That's twelve years."

"Twelve years of fevers." She rubbed her wrist. "The ride was never mine to take. But it wouldn't let go."

I sat down next to her.

"If I refuse at a hundred, you're free."

"I didn't ask you to do it for me."

"I know."

"Don't do it for me." She turned on the bench and took hold of my jacket in both fists. "Ainsley, listen. You have a grandmother."

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