looked great when they were brand new, but now they’re a dull, ugly brown. A pleasant looking, older man sitting behind the front desk calls out a cheerful greeting as I approach him. Registering with my fake ID should make it harder to trace me, and I look forward to resting without worrying about who might be looking for me, at least for tonight.
Once I get into room number six, I lock the deadbolt and knob, and latch the chain on the door making sure I’m safe. Sitting down on the bed, I pull out my cell phone, send a quick text to my brother so he knows I’m safe, and then power off my phone so that Cole can’t have it traced. I need this downtime to think. I’m not ready to be found.
So tired my bones hurt, I give into the exhaustion and sleep.
When I wake up, I feel like an eighteen-wheeler has run over me. The more alert my brain becomes, the harder last night’s events hit me. Knowing that I have some shopping to do, I crawl out of bed, get clean clothes, and make my way to the dingy bathroom. I climb under the stream of hot water and let it cascade over me. The heat permeates my skin much like the sun beating down on me. It soaks in, washing away the dirt and grime. I wish it were that easy to wash away the drama from last night.
Using the tiny bottles provided by the hotel, I shampoo my hair and rinse, then add conditioner and let it sit while I soap my body. I slide back under the water to wash off the soap and conditioner, and once I’m clean, I turn the water off, grab a towel, and slowly dry my body and hair. If I’m going to be here any length of time, the first things I need to buy are bath products and cosmetics. At least I have clean underwear and clothes.
When I go back into the bedroom, I’m awake enough to look at it for the first time since I’ve been here. The burnt orange bedspread covers white sheets, and a generic painting hangs above the bed. There is nothing fancy about the plain, white walls. It’s definitely a major step down from my room back at the Knight’s house.
I take money from my bag and tuck it into my bra, hang the ‘Don’t Disturb’ sign, and head outside. Without my sunglasses, the bright morning sun has me squinting as I look around to decide what my first stop should be. My growling tummy makes the decision for me. The smells coming from the café three doors down make my mouth water. When I enter, it’s like I’ve stepped into a sixties TV show. Speckled Formica covers the tables and counters, and the deep booths and bar stools are upholstered in cracked, black vinyl. Despite the signs of age, it looks clean and tidy, so I sit down at the counter. The waitress asks if I know what I’d like.
“Coffee, please, and eggs over easy with bacon and toast.”
I lose myself in my own thoughts while waiting for my food to arrive. I require a few things if I’m going to survive for the next few days. At the top of my list are bath products so I’m not stuck using the cheap shit in my room. Then I need a burn phone so I can keep hiding. I don’t want Cole or anyone else in the Knight family finding me.
I need to go see Hunter, my sexy nerd. And on again, off again lover for the last couple of years. His six-foot athletic build is surprising for a guy who is a complete computer geek. Hunter will help me stay hidden but still maintain contact with my brother. I also want to be able talk with Julie. I love that girl and don’t want to lose her just because I can’t stand her asshole brother.
I don’t know what I’m going to do about Cole yet. I know I’m pissed. Do I talk to him and see what he has to say for himself? Do I just rip into him and say fuck off? Do I just leave it be and let him figure out on his own that I’m so done?
I don’t understand anything about last night. When we left his dad’s house, everything was fine. Something must have happened at the club, because that’s when he started getting upset and acting strange. I tried so hard to
Once I get into room number six, I lock the deadbolt and knob, and latch the chain on the door making sure I’m safe. Sitting down on the bed, I pull out my cell phone, send a quick text to my brother so he knows I’m safe, and then power off my phone so that Cole can’t have it traced. I need this downtime to think. I’m not ready to be found.
So tired my bones hurt, I give into the exhaustion and sleep.
When I wake up, I feel like an eighteen-wheeler has run over me. The more alert my brain becomes, the harder last night’s events hit me. Knowing that I have some shopping to do, I crawl out of bed, get clean clothes, and make my way to the dingy bathroom. I climb under the stream of hot water and let it cascade over me. The heat permeates my skin much like the sun beating down on me. It soaks in, washing away the dirt and grime. I wish it were that easy to wash away the drama from last night.
Using the tiny bottles provided by the hotel, I shampoo my hair and rinse, then add conditioner and let it sit while I soap my body. I slide back under the water to wash off the soap and conditioner, and once I’m clean, I turn the water off, grab a towel, and slowly dry my body and hair. If I’m going to be here any length of time, the first things I need to buy are bath products and cosmetics. At least I have clean underwear and clothes.
When I go back into the bedroom, I’m awake enough to look at it for the first time since I’ve been here. The burnt orange bedspread covers white sheets, and a generic painting hangs above the bed. There is nothing fancy about the plain, white walls. It’s definitely a major step down from my room back at the Knight’s house.
I take money from my bag and tuck it into my bra, hang the ‘Don’t Disturb’ sign, and head outside. Without my sunglasses, the bright morning sun has me squinting as I look around to decide what my first stop should be. My growling tummy makes the decision for me. The smells coming from the café three doors down make my mouth water. When I enter, it’s like I’ve stepped into a sixties TV show. Speckled Formica covers the tables and counters, and the deep booths and bar stools are upholstered in cracked, black vinyl. Despite the signs of age, it looks clean and tidy, so I sit down at the counter. The waitress asks if I know what I’d like.
“Coffee, please, and eggs over easy with bacon and toast.”
I lose myself in my own thoughts while waiting for my food to arrive. I require a few things if I’m going to survive for the next few days. At the top of my list are bath products so I’m not stuck using the cheap shit in my room. Then I need a burn phone so I can keep hiding. I don’t want Cole or anyone else in the Knight family finding me.
I need to go see Hunter, my sexy nerd. And on again, off again lover for the last couple of years. His six-foot athletic build is surprising for a guy who is a complete computer geek. Hunter will help me stay hidden but still maintain contact with my brother. I also want to be able talk with Julie. I love that girl and don’t want to lose her just because I can’t stand her asshole brother.
I don’t know what I’m going to do about Cole yet. I know I’m pissed. Do I talk to him and see what he has to say for himself? Do I just rip into him and say fuck off? Do I just leave it be and let him figure out on his own that I’m so done?
I don’t understand anything about last night. When we left his dad’s house, everything was fine. Something must have happened at the club, because that’s when he started getting upset and acting strange. I tried so hard to
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