Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Drea
“Hey, Cara. I was just about to call you. Are you guys on your way?”
I had just arrived at the bookstore, and I pulled my phone out to get an ETA from Cara. Not that I wanted them to get there any sooner than necessary. I was eagerly waiting for this weekend to be over with.
I was leaving Kaia in charge while I was away. She had looked after the store for a day here and there, but never two days in a row, and I never went out of town. I was a little nervous, but I knew I could trust Kaia. She would call me if the slightest thing was out of place.
Besides that, I had access to the cameras on my phone. I had recently upgraded my camera system thanks to Fallon and Mackenzie’s… anti-literary activities in my backroom.
After a brief moment of silence, hesitation surrounded Cara’s voice. “Actually, that’s what I was calling for. So, Blair is on her way, but something came up and I am not able to make it.”
Please tell me this was a prank call. There was no way she was suggesting that Blair and I go to this festival… alone. “I’m sorry, what now?”
“Drea, don’t start with your dramatics, please. I’m sorry, but it’ll be fine. The reservation is under Blair’s name, and everything is already taken care of. I’ll call to check in as soon as I can, hopefully once you’re already settled in.”
“I’m not being dramatic. I think I’m reacting exactly how I should be, Cara. You cannot be serious. You can’t leave me alone with her for two days. This better be an emergency!” Cara was usually very hands on when it came to work, so I hoped nothing was seriously wrong.
“You’ll be fine, but I gotta go. Have fun and please don’t kill each other! I love you both.” She hung up before I could get another word out.
Blair was walking up as I got off the phone with Cara. “Cara isn’t going to make it; something came up. She said everything is under your name at the hotel, though, so we shouldn’t have any issues,” I said dully.
“Of course.” She sighed.
“What does that mean? She doesn’t usually bail on work things last minute unless she doesn’t have a choice.” I scowled.
“No, I know. I just meant… nevermind.” She shook her head.
I wanted to press, but I knew it would just cause a fight. Besides, we had the whole weekend for that. Why rush things?
“Well, it's about an hour away. Do you have everything you need?” I asked, noticing her one suitcase and purse.
I knew it was just a two-day trip, but I had expected her to pack for the equivalent of a two-month trip.
She saw me looking at her bag and rolled her eyes. “We’re only going to be gone for two days. I’m fine.”
“Alright then. Do you want to drive?”
“I don’t drive, actually.”
I blinked at her. “What do you mean you don’t drive? You’re how old?”
“I’m thirty, and I just don’t, okay? Can we go now, please?”
I could tell she was getting more irritated by the second, and I couldn’t help but notice how cute she looked when she was mad.
“Fine, Jesus, let’s go.” It was no use arguing with her. Of course Her Highness doesn’t drive…
It wasn’t that I minded driving; I actually loved it. I just wasn’t in love with the idea of chauffeuring the princess around like I was her personal servant.
The entire car ride was an agonizing hour of awkward silence. Every so often I would get the urge to look at her. I couldn’t stand the heat that passed through me when I did. She was devastatingly beautiful, and I had no right thinking about her like that.
Anytime I stole a glance in her direction, she would be doing the same and we would sharply turn away from each other.
I wanted to say something, anything to break the horrible silence, but I was at a loss of what to say.
I was put out of my misery when we arrived at the hotel. It looked as if someone had lit a fire underneath my ass with how fast I bolted out of that car. I was counting the minutes until I was alone in my own room and I wouldn’t have to deal with her until tomorrow.
“Hi, we have a reservation. It should be under Blair Sterling?” She spoke with a sweet smile. Good to know she knows how to do that.
“Of course, we have your room all ready for you. Will you be needing one key or two?”
“Wait, room? As in singular?” She looked between me and the receptionist.
I stood frozen as I let the words sink in. One room. As in sharing a room… with Blair freaking Sterling!
This had to be a sick fucking joke. If this was Cara’s doing and not just an unhappy accident, so help me God…
The reservationist chuckled. “Yes, ma’am. One room, two queen beds. That’s what the reservation says. Is there a problem?”
She scoffed. “Yes, there is a—”
“No, there is no problem. That’s perfect. Thank you so much...” I leaned in closer to read the name tag the woman was wearing. “Teresa. We will definitely be needing two keys, though.”
I took the room keys, leading a very ruffled-looking Blair to the elevator. I usually reveled in anything that caused her perfect life to be off-balance, but not when I was also suffering.
“What the hell was that?” She glared when the elevator door closed. “There is a problem. I am not sharing a room with you.”
I rolled my eyes. “First of all, Your Highness, relax. It’s not like we have to share a bed. It’s for two nights, and you aren’t paying for it, so calm down and enjoy the free room.”
“Unbelievable,” she muttered under her breath, and I resisted the temptation to say more. At least there were two beds.
We didn’t get fully checked into our room until a little after six, and by then I was in desperate need of some liquid stress relief.
“I’m going down to the bar.” I waited as long as I possibly could before hesitantly continuing. “Do you want to come?” I promised Cara I would at least try to be nice.
“I’m fine. I don’t really drink.” She looked up from where she was sitting on her bed.
“Of course you don’t. God forbid you have any fun.” I rolled my eyes as I turned away, shutting the door on my way out, not giving her a chance to respond.
The hotel bar was empty and I welcomed the silence.
“Hey, what can I get you?” The bartender came up to me as soon as I sat down. He was tall and had a blond buzz cut.
“I’ll have a whiskey please, neat,” I replied. That was my typical order whenever I went out. It was sophisticated and smooth.
I was enjoying my drink when I felt a warm presence slide into the seat next to me.
“Hi, there. Can I buy you a drink?”
I turned to see a curvaceous blonde smiling at me. She wore a very short red dress that did little to hide the pair of double Ds that were begging to be released. That fiery red lipstick was a tempting invitation… Out-of-town sex doesn’t count, right?
I smiled. “Sure, what’s your name?”
She motioned the bartender over to us and stuck out her hand for me to shake. “I’m Destiny. What’s yours?”
I grinned. “I’m Drea, but my friends call me Dre.”
We sat and traded flirtatious lines for a while until I finished my drink.
“So, how about you come up to my room for a night cap?” She placed her hand softly on my arm, and my skin heated at the touch.
Mackenzie didn’t have to know, and I could just send a quick text to Blair and let her know not to expect me back. It wasn’t like I owed her an explanation.
Destiny stood and lightly brushed her fingertips down my back. It felt like my skin was on fire as her fingers trailed lower and lower. Then she motioned me to follow her.
Something deep inside ate at me at the thought of Blair upstairs and alone. She would be alone all night if I went to Destiny’s room, not that I cared, but…
We were miles away from home, and it didn’t seem right to abandon her. What if the room caught fire or there was a burglar? Deep down I knew I was making excuses. As much as I didn’t like her, I knew what it was like to feel alone. Not to mention, Cara would be so pissed if I left Blair on her own.
I sighed. Fucking Blair Sterling. “I’m sorry, darling, I can’t. I have to get back to my roommate."
She shrugged and slid me a card. “If you change your mind, that's my room number.” She kissed my cheek and walked away. I wanted to cry when I saw her juicy round ass walking away.
I have to get back to my roommate? What a fucking idiot! Why do I care how she feels?
I closed my tab and headed back upstairs. I wanted to take a cold shower and relieve some tension…
When I got off the elevator, I opened the door to my room and almost tripped over my own feet.
Blair was standing in the corner of the room, digging through her bag, completely naked. Holy fuck, I was not prepared for that. I only saw the back of her body, but what I did see had me clenching my thighs together and suppressing a groan.
Her hair was wet and curly, and her tan skin had water droplets trickling all the way down to her… Yup, I can confirm that her ass was in fact perfect. I was glad I stopped after a few drinks.
I quietly went to the bathroom without Blair noticing and took a cold and very long shower.