The sky is a gorgeous pink color right now, and as much as I’d like to appreciate it and drive a little farther, I know I need to rest. I have no idea when I’ll get my next chance to stop, and I don’t want to risk falling asleep at the wheel.
Spotting a motel, I pull over and park as close to the building as possible. I climb out and make my way over to the main entrance, relieved to see someone sitting at the desk as the neon sign on the glass declares them open twenty-four hours.
Pushing the door open, I spot a rake thin man watching old reruns of a game show from the eighties, sitting behind a low desk. He jolts for a moment when the door creaks, before taking me in.
“Hi, I’d like to book a room for a few hours,” I tell him, chewing my lip.
“No problem. Do you have a card we can keep on file?”
My shoulders drop. I forgot about that. “I only have cash. I’m sorry.” I hesitate for a minute before lying my ass off and hoping karma doesn’t come back to bite me. “I’m running from an abusive relationship. He’s hours from here, but if I use my card, it will flag the system, and I really can’t risk it. Thank you, anyways.” I turn and place my hand on the door, hoping he’ll bite.
“Wait!”
Bingo!
“I’m sure we can make an exception, just this once, if you pay the balance upfront,” he offers, looking me over, likely for bruises. I feel like utter shit lying to him, yet is it really a lie? If my stalker gets his hands on me, who knows what kind of damage he could do to me.
“Thank you, that’s so kind of you. I swear, I just need to get a few hours of sleep before I crash, then I’ll be on my way again,” I promise him, beyond relieved.
“It’s okay, truly. Here’s your key. I’ve put you under Mrs. and Mr. Jones, so when the next lot of staff come on shift, they won’t even know you’re here,” he explains, making tears prick my eyes.
“You know I’ve spent a long time lately questioning why men are such assholes, then I meet someone like you, and you remind me there is good and bad in everyone. I won’t forget this kindness,” I say truthfully.
He gives me a wonky smile as I take the key he offers and make my way back out to the car, snagging the backpack I’d stuffed with some essentials before heading over to the rooms. Finding the one I’m after, I swing the door open and take a relieved breath. It’s clean and tidy, even if it is a little dated.
Two teak bedside tables sit either side of a double bed that is covered with a faded red floral print bedspread. Opposite that is a large set of drawers that match the bedside units, with an old-fashioned television on top. Across the far side of the room, there is a door ajar that I’m assuming leads to the bathroom.
I toss my bag on the bed and lock the door before dragging one of the solid bedside tables over to wedge underneath the doorknob. When that is done, I head straight for the bathroom, feeling gross and dirty. Once the water is warm, I climb under the spray and let the water soak away my aches and worries.
I’m thankful when I spot the tiny complimentary bottles of shampoo and shower gel as I didn’t think to grab mine from the trunk. There is no conditioner, and with hair as thick as mine that would usually be an issue, but right now, I couldn’t care less. In the grand scheme of things, having no conditioner ranks pretty low on the list of shit I should be stressing about.
I dry off with the scratchy towel provided and drag on clean underwear and a baggy T-shirt before collapsing onto the bed. Staring at the ceiling, I contemplate what my next move should be even though I already know the answer. Call it cowardly, but the thought of having to deal with my brothers right now is more than I can bear.
I grab the phone off the nightstand and send a text to Owen, thankful that Dad drummed into my head the importance of learning everyone’s numbers by heart. I keep it simple, telling him I had to go