5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
PENNY
M aybe hell was too strong of a word. But when I took in the cabin, it surely wasn’t the mansion I’d imagine. Not even a quaint cottage with gingham curtains, plush rugs, and comfortable furniture. More like a dilapidated shack that might fall down with the breeze. And the recliner he said I could use to sleep on looked like it had been picked up off the side of the road after a semi-trailer had run over it.
There I go again sounding like an ungrateful bitch. He could have dropped me at a hotel where I’d be hounded again by the media. Yet he offered me a safe haven. A place where no one will find me.
When did I become such a snob? After my dad left when I was fifteen—never to be seen again—my mother was drowning in debt, and we had to move into a dump of a house. If it weren’t for my Uncle Gerry, my mother’s brother, moving us to New York two years later and taking us in after things got so bad we got evicted, who knows where I’d be today. Not only did he give us some place to live, but he also sent me to an upscale high school—where I met Lucas—and set me up for college. I’ll always be grateful to him. My teenage years left no room for snobbery, so what happened between then and now? Nothing that I was aware of, but yet… Has becoming a success and having money turned me into one?
On the drive into town, I place my elbow on the door and stare at my surroundings. Because I’d fallen asleep on the way to the cabin, I missed out on seeing the beautiful scenery. The sun is dappling through the thick leaves of the tall oak trees lining the road, guiding us like a tunnel. The greenery covering the ground looks like a lush carpet. The area gives the feel of being secluded and hidden away from the rest of the world. Exactly what I need. Not a sunny seaside vacation, but just as beautiful. Claudia would love it here.
Oh darn. Claudia! I told her I’d let her know where I was staying as soon as I could. It’s been hours since I sent her a message. She must be worried. I pull my cell phone from my purse. There’s no signal. I hold the phone up toward the windshield. Still nothing.
“What are you doing?” Lucas asks.
“Trying to get a signal to make a call.”
“There’s no reception out here.”
My arm drops to my side. “Are you serious?”
“Yep.” He slows down to avoid a deer scurrying across the road.
“What about in town?”
“The reception is sketchy. Calls drop in and out at the best of times.”
My mouth falls open. Have we traveled back in time? “How do people communicate? Shop online?”
Lucas shrugs. “Not everyone’s lives revolve around the internet. They like to do things face to face. Now’s your time to try it. You might like it.”
“Not having to deal with any calls for a few days does sound appealing.”
“Then you’re in the best place, Penelope.”
“Why do you call me Penelope?”
“It’s your name,” he says like I’ve asked a silly question.
“No one calls me by my full name unless it’s for work. All my friends call me Penny.”
He takes his eyes off the road and his gaze bores into me. “We are not friends, are we, Penelope ?”
A heavy weight lands on my chest. “No, I guess we’re not.” How stupid of me to forget how we really feel about each other.
A few minutes later, we pass a Welcome to Oaks Valley sign and drive into the town. Lucas was right, there isn’t much here. There’s a small strip of red and brown brick shops with arched windows, and rows of planter boxes filled with colorful flowers decorate the sidewalk. It looks like something from a movie.
Lucas pulls into a parking space in front of the This ‘n That convenience store. I get out of the car and follow Lucas inside. Maybe I can get service to call Claudia and my mother. A bell chimes as we enter. By the looks of the empty aisles, we are the only customers. How do people survive financially out here? They are so remote and cut off from any major city.
We both pick up a basket. I may need some snacks; who knows what food the bar offers. I keep it simple with muffins, fruit, and bottled water. I’ll get more later when I know how the accommodation is set up for cooking. Lucas fills his basket with whatever it is he needs.
When we have everything, we take our groceries to the counter. An older woman with flaming red hair, wearing tight, skinny jeans and a blue flannel shirt, greets us with a cigarette dangling from her lips. Taking a long drag, she puts it out in an ashtray filled with butts. She gives Lucas a beaming, yellow-toothed smile. “Lucas, darlin’. I was beginnin’ to wonder if you were ever comin’ back.” Her voice is deep and raspy, probably from smoking.
“I could never stay away from you, Flo. You’re the light of my life,” Lucas flirts.
Flo pats her short curls and blushes like a young schoolgirl. “You’re always so charmin’.” Then her gaze travels over to me. “And who have you brought with you?” She scans me from head to toe. It’s been a long day traveling. My cream-colored linen pants and shirt are wrinkled from the car ride. I must look a mess.
“Flo, this is Penelope. She’s my…arhh…she is…” Lucas stumbles with the introduction. As we are not friends, like he pointed out earlier, what are we? Will he introduce me as his enemy?
Flo smacks her hand on the counter, causing a cigarette to fall from the ashtray. “You’ve gone and gotten yourself a girlfriend.” She chuckles. It comes out more as a hack. “I never thought I’d see the day. Don’t let Alison find out.”
“Penelope is not my girlfriend. I’m just helping her out with something,” Lucas explains.
“Mmm-hmm.” Flo grins, looking unconvinced.
I place my hand on Lucas’ forearm and pout. “Honeybee, you told me I was the love of your life.” I sniff and dab at my eye. “I thought we had something special.” That’s payback for looking so appalled over Flo mistaking us for a couple.
Lucas’ head swings toward me. Anger pinches his face. I smirk with glee, not caring that I pissed him off. I have to entertain myself somehow. I need something to help me crawl out of the cave of misery I’m living in.
Through gritted teeth, he says, “You are not my girlfriend.”
I drop my bottom lip and make it tremble. “How can you say such a thing? You told me last night how much you loved me.”
“Penelope, stop talking crap,” he warns.
I dab my eyes again, ignoring him. “I have to tell my momma to cancel the wedding. She’ll be so disappointed. The swan ice sculptures have already been ordered.”
Lucas’ mouth opens and closes with exasperation.
Flo laughs/hacks. “Oh boy. You’ve got your hands full with this one, Lucas. I like her. It’s about time you find a woman who’s gonna tame you.”
A vein ticks at the side of his jaw. “She’s not…we’re not…” He shakes his head with defeat. “Just ring these up please so I can get the hell out of here.”
I silently snicker under my breath. It’s funny seeing Lucas so flustered. Although, I’m sure I’m going to hear about it when we get out of the store.
After Flo bags our groceries, we head back to the car. He opens the passenger side door and tosses his bags onto the backseat. He slams the door and spins around. “What was that about in there?”
Here it comes. The anger is vibrating from him.
Oh, he’s mad, yet I can’t bite back my smile. “I was just teasing you.”
He throws me a disgusted look. “Don’t. People around here talk and will get the wrong idea about us. That’s the last thing I want.”
With him looking so irritated, I’m not offended by his comment. It makes me giggle. “You should have seen your face. When Flo said it was about time you found a woman to tame you, your eyes bugged so far out of their sockets I thought they were going to drop to the floor.”
Taking a step closer to me, his face is inches away from mine. His expression darkens. My breath catches in my lungs from the intense look on his face. All hilarity is dropped. Not from fear; from something else I can’t explain. For a second, his gaze lands on my lips. I swallow hard, waiting for what may come.
When he looks back at me, coldness flashes in his eyes. “No one will ever tame me.”
Wow. “Touchy subject, is it?” I need a moment to figure out what just happened. Was Lucas about to kiss me then changed his mind? Surely not.
When he’d looked at my lips, my heart stopped with anticipation. Goodness, there is something seriously wrong with me if the thought of Lucas kissing me isn’t so bad.
It must have something to do with how messed up my life is at the moment. I have feelings and emotions getting jumbled around inside me. I don’t have time to stew on it, because instead of answering my question—not that I thought he would—he points to a small building across the street with motorcycles and a couple of cars parked out front.
“That’s the bar. Ask for Alison. She’ll let you know if she has a room available.” He moves around to the driver’s side of the car.
When he opens the door and starts to slide in, I realize he’s leaving me here. “Wait! Are you not coming in?” Suddenly, I’m feeling vulnerable, not knowing what I’ll be walking into. For the first time since learning about Darren’s affair, I’ll be alone with my thoughts of my failed relationship and where I go from here.
“Why would I?” He frowns.
“What if they have nothing available?”
“You’ll work it out.” Again, he starts to get into the car.
“Wait!” I stop him again.
He drops his head and blows out a frustrated breath. “What now?”
“I need my luggage.”
I know this is what I wanted, yet anxiety at being left alone in a small town is tightening my chest. What if something happens? I’m in the middle of nowhere with dodgy cell reception. Lucas isn’t exactly a friend—he made that perfectly clear—but he’s no stranger. I’m clinging to him for support.
Lucas pulls my luggage from the back of the jeep and places it at my feet. “Can I go now?”
I shift my shopping bag from one hand to the other, secure the strap of my purse over my shoulder, and hold onto the luggage’s handle. I have no reason to keep him here, yet I say, “Can you help me with my stuff please? I’m struggling to carry it all.” I make a show of adjusting the bags I’m holding like it’s all so heavy.
What is wrong with me? I’m acting like some damsel in distress. This is not me. I always take care of myself. I’ll blame it on a temporary brain malfunction due to my life-changing experience. When I get my act together, I’ll make sure I’m never this vulnerable again.
Lucas raises an eyebrow like he’s not sure whether to believe me, but he doesn’t comment on it. “Sure.” He closes the car door and takes the luggage handle out of my hand and rolls it across the street. I quickly follow behind him.
Lucas pushes through the solid timber doors. Immediately, I’m met with the smell of stale tobacco and old beer. The log-lined walls are covered in battered street signs, old license plates, and longhorn skulls. Scarred wooden tables and red stools are scattered haphazardly around the room. Shania Twain is blasting how she feels like a woman from the speakers. This bar looks like it belongs in Texas, not six hours from New York City.
A woman behind the bar stops drying a glass, smacks the dishcloth on the counter, and saunters her way to us. Her hips swing from side to side in tight, faded jeans that look painted on. A black leather vest is working hard holding in her full breasts. Tanned tassel cowboy boots click on the hardwood floor. She pauses in front of Lucas, tosses her long, straight, silky black hair over her shoulder, and slaps him across the face.
Lucas’ head snaps over his shoulder, and he holds a hand over his red cheek. Looking at her with shock, he rubs his face. “What was that for?”
“That’s for slinking out in the middle of the night. Do I mean nothing to you?”
He straightens. “Allie, I’m sorry. Of course you do. I…I…thought we were having fun. We agreed it was only a one-time thing.”
She pokes a finger in his chest, the force hard enough for him to stumble back a step.
“What the hell, Allie?”
Is this Alison who Flo mentioned earlier? Looks like she’s paying Lucas back for being a dirty dog. Probably promising her things he had no intention of giving her. I have to admit, seeing Lucas getting pushed around by a woman half his size is entertaining.
As I scan the room, men with leather vests and big, bushy beards—who I’m assuming belong to the motorcycles outside—are staring at Alison and Lucas and are grinning at the show. I’m not the only one finding Lucas’ discomfort amusing.
“And why has it been months since I’ve seen you?” She crosses her arms over her chest.
“Allie, I’ve been busy and—”
In mid-sentence, Alison grabs Lucas’ face with her hands. “Shut the fuck up and kiss me.” Pulling him to her, she plants her lips on his mouth.
The bar erupts in a chorus of whistles and cheers. Alison presses her body against him and deepens the kiss. The cheers turn into lewd suggestions.
When they don’t pull away and Lucas’ hands slide down her back to palm her butt, something hot clutches in my stomach. Heat rises across my chest and up my neck. My reaction feels something like jealousy. How can that be? I don’t even like Lucas. Barely know him. Plus, a couple of days ago, I had a fiancé whom I loved and was going to marry.
This feeling must be something else. Annoyance? Yes, that’s it, because I’m tired, frustrated, heartbroken, and I’m trying to find a room to rent. While all I want is to lock myself away and be alone, he’s hooking up with the woman I need to speak to.
Clearing my throat to distract them, I wait for them to stop. When they don’t hear me or are ignoring me, I do it again, only louder.
Nothing.
I roll my eyes and tap Lucas on the shoulder. He breaks away with a disgruntled expression on his face at being interrupted. Too bad. I have things I need to do.
“I’m sorry to interrupt this joyful reunion—”
“Then don’t.” Lucas starts to turn away to go back in for another kiss.
I put my hand on his shoulder to stop him. “I’ve come here to get a room, remember? After we’ve settled that, then you can get back to playing tonsil hockey.”
Alison juts out her hip and rests a hand on her waist. Her gaze travels over me from head to toe. With an air of indifference, she says, “Who are you?”
“I’m Penny,” I don’t give her my last name just in case she recognizes it. “Lucas said you might have a room to rent for a few nights.”
“There are no vacancies.” She hooks her arm through Lucas’ and places a hand on his chest like she’s staking her claim.
Well, you can have him. There’s no competition from me.
“Oh,” I sigh with regret. “That’s too bad. Is there anywhere else in town I can stay?” If not, then I’m going back to Lucas’ cabin. Although, with such tight accommodation and unappealing sleeping arrangements, I’d rather not.
“The bar is the only place that rents rooms,” she says without looking at me. She’s too preoccupied with running her finger along Lucas’ jaw.
Blowing out a breath, I look around the bar like a solution is going to jump out at me. All I’m met with is deer heads hooked on walls, staring down at me with unblinking, glassy eyes.
“That means you’re stuck with me for a few days, Lucas,” I say. What other choice do I have? Besides, that was the original plan. Surely it won’t be so bad.
Alison’s head swings toward me. “You’re staying with Lucas? In his cabin?”
Oh, now you want to look at me. Feeling threatened, are you?
“Lucas was kind enough to let me stay with him because—” I can’t give her the real reason. The less people know around here, the better. I want no chance of the media finding me here. “Because I’m such a nature lover and his cabin is perfect for bird watching.”
Alison narrows her gaze. Lucas pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head. It was the only thing I could come up with. By the way Alison is pinning me with a baleful glare, I don’t think she believes me. If she only knew I’m no threat to her. Lucas is all hers.
“Is she your girlfriend?” she fires the question at Lucas.
If I was, would I let her have her hands all over him?
With a warning glare aimed at me, he says, “Don’t even think about pulling the same shit you did in the store.”
Now would be the perfect time to mess things up between him and Alison, but I keep quiet. I have no intention of causing trouble between the two.
To Alison, he says, “Allie, would I be kissing you in front of her if she was? And why would she be looking for a place to stay?”
So he calls her Allie, not Alison. Oh, that’s because they’re friends —and we are not. Although, from the way she stuck her tongue down his throat, they’re more than friends.
She purses her lips. “Good point.”
With another head-to-toe sweep over me, she nods to a door at the back of the bar next to the restrooms. “There is one room. I don’t normally rent it out. It’s not much. Could use a clean. There is a single bed, small stove—which doesn’t work—and a kettle. You’ll have to share the communal bathroom upstairs. The hot water lasts for about two minutes. If you’re not showering first, it takes a few hours for the water to warm up again, or you can take a cold one. The bar gets noisy and rowdy and closes at two in the morning. You may not get much sleep. It’s twenty dollars a night.”
As bad as it sounds, I’ll take staying in a dingy room at a noisy bar over spending the next few days with Lucas confined in a tiny cabin. “I’ll take it.”
Lucas raises an eyebrow. “After hearing what the accommodation is like, you still want to stay here? Do you think you can handle it?”
“Of course I can.”
He shrugs a shoulder. “Doesn’t sound like your kind of scene, city girl.” He smirks.
There’s no way I’m going to admit to him that the room is far from what I’m used to. And at twenty dollars a night, I’m a little scared to find out what it looks like. “And how do you know what my scene is?” I don’t wait for him to answer. “Thanks for your concern. I’ll be fine.”
Before I find out what kind of room I’ve booked—or more like putting it off for as long as possible—I set my luggage by a booth and slide onto the cracked, vinyl seat.
“What are you doing?” Lucas asks.
Picking up the plastic menu, I scan the food selections. “Ordering food.”
He doesn’t respond, but I sense his hard presence getting closer. I glance up and am met with an annoyed expression on his face.
“Is there a problem?” I ask.
He crosses his arms over his chest. “Yes, there’s a problem. I’m having dinner here with Allie.”
Alison caresses her hand up and down Lucas’ arm with sultry eyes. “And after dinner, I’ll have you for dessert.”
I roll my eyes, forcing myself not to gag. “I’m not stopping your dinner plans,” I say to Lucas. Then I pass Alison the menu and order the buffalo wings, fries, and a diet coke.
Pulling a face like the last thing she wants to do is serve me, she tucks the menu under her arm. “I’ll be right back.” She plants a kiss on Lucas’ lips before she leaves.
Walking away, she sways her hips, grabbing the attention of every man in the room. Except for Lucas. His eyes bore into me.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Waiting for dinner.”
He rubs the tips of his fingers across his forehead then slides into the seat opposite me. “You wanted to stay hidden in case you get recognized. Now you’re sitting in a bar packed with people. Are you doing this to piss me off?”
“First, the bar is far from packed.” I scan the room. The motorcycle gang has just left, there’s a couple having drinks in the booth next to mine, and two men are playing pool on the other side of the room.
No one is paying any attention to me. Except for Alison. She’s wiping down the bar, throwing heat-seeking missiles with her eyes in my direction. I hope she doesn’t spit in my food.
“And second, I didn’t know you were staying. You bought food. I assumed you’d eat at the cabin.”
“I changed my mind.”
“Not my problem. If you don’t like that I’m here, leave.” I point at the door. I’m staying here now; he can’t kick me out. “Or do you want to stay so you can continue to suck face with Alison?”
He smirks and casually relaxes in the seat. “ Suck face ? Are you in high school? Or just jealous?”
I scoff. “Jealous? Oh please. There’s nothing to be jealous of. If you were listening, Alison said the stove in the room doesn’t work, so I need to eat. That’s why I’m staying.”
Leaning forward, he sets his forearms on the table. The smirk drops from his face. “The sooner you’re back in the city, the better.”
I mirror his posture, our faces only inches apart. “You could have left me there. But you didn’t. That’s on you.”
His gaze drops to my lips, lingering long enough for my heart to stop and my breath to quicken.
The thud of plates hitting the wooden table jerks me back. “Your wings and fries,” Alison says tightly.
I busy myself picking out silverware from a basket on the table. “Smells delicious. Thank you,” I say a little too enthusiastically.
Why did my stomach flutter when Lucas looked at my mouth like that? Maybe I should get out of here before I want him to do something stupid like kiss me. I inwardly shake myself. Kissing Lucas is the last thing I want to do. Obviously, if I was in my right mind, the thought of kissing him would make me ill.
“Let’s get dinner over with so we can go back to my house. I have a table ready.”
I glance at where Alison points to a corner. She’s picked the darkest spot in the room. I have a feeling she’ll get dessert started before their main meal arrives.
“Enjoy your dinner.” Lucas rises to his feet.
“You too.” I give him a tight smile.
He nods. Then he turns and follows Alison to their table.
My shoulders sag on a heavy sigh. Now that I’m on my own, I don’t know what to do next. I should probably call Claudia and my mother; they’d know where to start. Plucking my cell phone from my purse, I swipe the screen. It doesn’t turn on. Great. The battery has died. I’ll charge it when I get to my room and call later.
The smell of tangy wings causes my stomach to grumble. All I had to eat today was gas station snacks. Now I’m starving. Devouring the food, I lick the spicy sauce from my fingers. Like I sense someone watching me, my gaze drifts over to Lucas’ table. Even in the dim light, our eyes lock. Heat flushes my skin, making me want to fan my face. And it’s not caused from the hot chicken wings. It’s the way Lucas is staring at me like I’m his next meal.
How can that be? I’m seriously seeing things, or I’m delusional. I need to get out of here and away from Lucas. As much as I hate to go over there and interrupt their romantic meal, I need the key to my room.
Just as I’m about to make my way over to Lucas’ table, a man walks into the bar and stops in front of me. A big smile spreads across his face, causing dimples to form on each cheek. A dark blond lock of his hair falls over his sparkling blue eyes, and he combs it back with his fingers where it stays perfectly in place. He’s gorgeous, and judging by the way he swaggered into the room, he knows it.
His head tilts to the side as he takes me in. Oh no! Does he recognize me?
“I’ve never seen you in here before. I’d remember someone so beautiful,” he says.
I sigh with relief. He doesn’t know who I am. Was that a pickup line? Men don’t usually approach me unless it’s to get an autograph for their wives.
“Can I buy you a drink?” The track on the jukebox changes to a Luke Combs song; something slow and romantic. “Or would you like to dance?”
The man oozes confidence, yet he doesn’t come across as sleezy. I can sense a cheekiness about him. Someone who’d be a lot of fun. Although I’m not sure I can trust my judgment. Look who I nearly married. Under Darren’s charming personality was a dirty dog.
“I don’t want a drink. Thank you. And there’s no one dancing.”
He shrugs. “So? We’ll start a trend.” He grins. Oh, those dimples. I’m sure they can make most women do just about anything. He holds out his hand. “What do you say? Want to have some fun?”
Fun does sound wonderful. It’s something I haven’t had in a long time. Do I know how to anymore?
“Hey buddy, she’s not available,” Lucas interrupts.
My mouth drops open. What is he doing?
The man takes a step back and holds his arms up by his sides like it’s a stickup. “Sorry. Didn’t know she was taken.” He gives me an apologetic smile and walks to the bar.
I drop my fists on my hips. “Why did you do that?”
“Pretty Boy over there was getting a little too friendly.”
“So?”
Lucas slides his hands into his pockets. “Just thought you didn’t need any attention—you know, in case he recognized you.”
“He didn’t recognize me. Your interruption wasn’t necessary. Or did you have another reason?”
“What other reason could I have?”
I shrug a shoulder. “You tell me.”
He’s the one who zeroed in on my lips and was staring at me from across the room. Could he be jealous? I mentally shake myself. Surely not.
He averts his gaze for a second. “There’s no other reason.”
“If you say so.”
“I do say so.” Then he swings out his arm in the man’s direction and says, “He’s all yours.”
He turns to leave, and I stop him by placing a hand on his arm. He turns back, glances at where I’m touching—the muscles hardening under my palm—and he looks at me with a raised eyebrow.
“I don’t have the energy to deal with another man right now. All I want to do is get the key to my room and go to bed.”
He calls out to Alison. When she approaches us with a pissed-off expression aimed at me, Lucas tells her I want to go to my room.
“I’ll show her the room, and I’ll be right back. Then we can head over to my place.” Alison fiddles with the collar of Lucas’ t-shirt.
“Allie, as much as I’d love to come over, I’m beat. All I’m good for is sleep. I’m going to head back to the cabin.”
Alison pouts her bottom lip. “Are you sure? I promise when you’re home with me, you won’t want to sleep.”
Oh please! Alison makes me want to gag. Doesn’t she care that I’m standing right next to her overhearing everything she’s saying? Obviously not.
He removes her hand from him. “Not tonight.”
Her face hardens. I bet she’s not used to rejection.
Well, this is it. It’s time to finally part ways with Lucas. I hold out my hand to him. “Thank you for all your help. I know it hasn’t been easy for you. So I really appreciate it.”
When he takes my hand to shake it, the connection sends a shock of electricity through my arm and sizzles into my chest. My gaze snaps up to meet Lucas’ eyes, and they lock on mine. Did he feel the current too? Is his chest warming up like mine? My heart is beating rapidly, so I pull my hand out of his grip, and I take a step back. Like putting distance between us will break the connection. It didn’t work. A slight sizzle is still charging my body.
Lucas clears his throat. “You’re welcome. Good luck with everything.” Turning to Alison, he says, “Bye, Allie.”
There’s no mention of seeing her again. Or arranging another night to meet. That doesn’t mean that they won’t. He said he’s in Oaks Valley for a few days, so there’s plenty of time.
I watch Lucas leave. I’m not as happy as I thought I’d be to see him go. Probably because he was there for me during my time of need. As much as I hate to admit it, it’s hard letting him go.
“Get your bags,” Alison demands as she walks toward the room.
I hurry to the booth and take the handle of my luggage and fling the strap of my purse over my shoulder and quickly follow her. She unlocks and opens the door to the room. Stepping inside, the air is thick with dust, and it clogs my throat. The light turns on above me, bathing the ugly, dingy room with brown, peeling wallpaper in a dim, flickering, yellow glow.
“How many days are you staying?” Alison asks. “Because payment is upfront.”
“Arrh…” I’m not sure I can stay one night. “Maybe four or five days.”
Alison holds her hand out, waiting for payment. I dig my wallet from my purse and count out money for five days. She folds the bills in half and tucks them behind her vest.
My attention lands on the bare mattress. “Is linen in the closet?” I ask, pointing to a crooked faux timber wardrobe.
“There’s no linen provided.”
I wish she’d mentioned that before I handed over my money. “Where can I get some?”
“You can buy sheets and towels in Flo’s store across the street.”
“Right, I better get over there then.”
Alison examines her pink, manicured fingernails. “She closed ten minutes ago.”
My shoulders sag. “What am I supposed to do without linen?”
Alison shrugs. “It’s a warm night. You’ll be fine.”
I throw a dubious glance at the stained mattress and yellow pillow. My stomach rolls with disgust. “People actually stay here?”
“If you don’t want it, just say so. It didn’t look like Lucas wanted you at his cabin, so you don’t have any other option.” She smirks. I bet she’s happy I’m not staying with him.
Unfortunately, she’s right. It’s my only option. This is it. This is home for the next few days. Or until I can arrange something else. Is there another in-the-middle-of-nowhere town that I can hide in? Can I risk it? I’m too tired to think about that now.
I just need to make it through one night.