Chapter 11 Sweet Treats #3
My heart dropped. So we would act like a couple in front of his clients and friends, but his sister couldn’t know. It sounded like introducing me to his family as more than an employee wasn’t something he wanted.
I’d barely warmed up to the idea of being his girlfriend, and now it was ruined. Rowen’s brows furrowed like he was confused, and for the first time, the urge to be cruel to him welled up.
How dare he kiss me like that, touch me like that, and then act ashamed?
I wasn’t being fair, and I knew it. I kissed him with no expectation of a relationship. We were just enjoying ourselves. But then he had to act like a couple and get my hopes up. All of these emotions tangled in my chest, aching.
My skin prickled, a flush crawling up my neck.
“Look, I know it’s early, but I should get going. Especially since tomorrow will be a long night with the festival and stuff.”
Rowen’s lips parted, but he didn’t speak.
“So, I’ll see you at the festival,” I concluded, needing his confirmation.
His shoulders rose and fell with a sigh. “Yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow. Go get some rest.”
Stiffly, I stepped forward, wanting to hug him or kiss his cheek goodbye, but the way his eyes roved around his bakery like he couldn’t believe what we’d just done in the space stopped me in my tracks.
“Goodnight, Rowen. See you soon.”
I barely remembered the drive back to the motel. The image of Rowen’s stricken expression when I’d emerged from the hallway was seared into my brain. His words echoed over and over. “I don’t know how I would have explained that.”
Good enough to eat, not good enough to meet his sister. Got it.
Gravel crunched under my tires as I pulled into the motel parking lot. Already the sky was lightening as the sun peeked over the mountains. It was later than I’d realized.
Late October was quickly chilling, and I wrapped my arms around me as I crossed the sidewalk to my room, fumbling with my key. A paper was taped to my door.
Termination of Stay.
What the fuck? Squinting, I scanned the paper. The motel was kicking me out for nonpayment. But we had an agreement!
Rage flared to life in my gut, tinged with fear. The sun was rising. I didn’t have time to argue with the owner. I’d have to deal with him after sunset. Grinding my teeth, I ripped the paper down and unlocked my door.
“That notice is effective immediately.” The croaking voice startled me, and I clutched my bag to my chest as I turned. “You need to get your stuff and get out.”
“But it’s sunrise,” I argued.
His salt-and-pepper eyebrows pinched. “So you’ve got no excuse. You have all day to find somewhere else to stay.”
Swallowing, I tried to think of a reason he would understand. He had no idea I was a vampire. This was outside the city limits, and an entirely human establishment.
“Can I leave tonight?” I asked, already sounding defeated.
“I’m within my rights to terminate your stay. Get your belongings and get out, or I’ll call the police.”
Fear made my movements clumsy as I rushed into the room, shoving my clothes back into my suitcase as fast as I could. Already, light crawled over the landscape, coming for me.
It took three attempts to get the safe open so I could retrieve my keepsakes and extra cash. The toiletries in the bathroom could be replaced.
“Gosh, you don’t have to rush that much,” the old man said.
He had no idea.
This would have to be good enough. Shaking, I dragged the zipper up and slung my tote bag over my arm. The motel owner sneered at me as I hustled past him to my car.
Soft sunlight poured over the parking lot.
It was like walking into an oven. My skin burned. It felt like someone had poured chemicals over me. A wave of nausea rushed through me, and I fought the urge to stop and double over. I had to get to my car.
My muscles ached, my skin searing. Yanking the car door closed helped a little, but light still poured in the windows. Sucking in a deep breath, I started the car and tore out of the parking lot.
I had nowhere to go, or nowhere close enough that I could make it. As soon as the road curved and the motel was out of sight, I pulled to the side and parked the car.
My stomach churned. I was going to die if I didn’t get out of the sun. Wretching, I climbed into the backseat and grabbed my blanket, pulling it over me. The relief was instant, but I was a weak, shaky mess. Laying across the back seat, I made sure all of my skin was covered.
Deep breaths. In and out. Gradually, my heart rate slowed and my stomach settled. It would take a while to heal the burns on my arms, legs, chest, and face, but I was out of immediate danger.
Now I had to wait hours and hours for the sun to set.
Wetness trailed over my nose and dripped across my cheekbones.
Great, now I’m crying.
Rowen’s rejection, followed by my eviction, was too much, and as the shock wore off, my tears rained down. Shoulders shaking, I let it all out. Today had been one of the best and worst days of my life, and I didn’t know how I’d recover.
Eventually, my tears faded and I slipped into unconsciousness.