“What?” I didn’t want to cause a scene at the desk, but my voice rose from calm to shrill .
“He checked into room 852 .”
This was unbelievable. Branch had checked into my room. I guess it
was his room, too, but he lost that privilege when he broke up with me three days ago .
“Can I please have a key?” I pleaded .
Her smile evaporated. “I’m sorry.” She whispered across the counter. “Your name isn’t on the reservation, so I can’t give you one. I shouldn’t have even told you the room number .”
I clutched the shoulder strap on my bag—the only thing I had on this island. “But it was my room—our room. He took my room.” I inhaled deeply through my nose. “Ok, well, can I make another reservation ?”
The thought of staying in the same hotel with Branch wasn’t appealing, but I was running out of options and this resort was huge. We probably wouldn’t run into each other, and if we did there were thousands of people to hide behind .
“Actually, no. We were booked up two months ago.” I saw a look of pity in her eyes .
No, no, no. This wasn’t possible. I was homeless in South Padre. I stood at the counter, closed my eyes, and tried to grasp my options .
“Are you going to be ok?” The girl whispered .
“Yes. Thank you, for your help.” I was visibly rattled from the information .
But suddenly I was in a trance. I walked into the open elevator with a group who had just left the pool .
The elevator stopped on the eighth floor and I ran out .
I searched the room numbers. I pounded on room 852’s door. “Branch, let me in! Branch !”
I didn’t care if I looked like a crazy ex-girlfriend. This was possibly the most horrible day I had ever experienced, and Branch had compounded all of it by stealing my hotel room .
The door flew open, but instead of my handsome ex, I stood eye to eye with a petite brunette wearing a hot pink bikini and holding a beer in her hand .
“Who are you?” I barged past her, not all that interested in her answer .
“Branch?” she called out frantically. “Branch, there’s a crazy person in our room .”
“Me? I’m not the crazy one.” I spun on my heels to face her. “You are in my hotel room with my—” I stopped short of saying boyfriend. This must be what people meant by an out of body experience. My words were soft and calm, but inside, I was losing it .
Branch emerged from the bathroom with a towel draped around his waist. Little beads of water trickled over his smooth chest .
“Kaitlyn, what are you doing here? And what happened to your hair? Have you been drinking?” He eyed me suspiciously while reaching for the beer from the girl. He chugged a few swallows before passing it back to her .
“Why does everyone keep acting like I’m not supposed to be here? I paid for this trip. You know that.” My fists dug into the sides of my hips to keep from slugging him. “Is this your definition of keeping your options open?” I nodded toward the girl who had taken a seat at the edge of the king-size bed .
“You’re obviously upset. I think you should go.” Branch placed his hand on my shoulder. The gesture irritated me .
“I’m not leaving. This is my room. If anyone should leave, it should be you. And you .” I glared at the girl. “I can’t believe you would do something like this .”
Seeing Branch half-dressed and smugly tossing out orders disgusted me. I didn’t know when he had transformed into this pompous ass, but I was actually glad I couldn’t be tied to him anymore. He was right—we had grown apart. However, he was the one who had grown into a royal dick .
Branch launched into one of his smooth explanations. “Look, I paid for the room—it’s not in your name anymore. I tried to call you a few times, but you didn’t pick up. I’m sorry there was a mix-up, but I think we both know what this is really about.” His forehead creased. “You’re taking this breakup hard. It’s understandable you’d be upset, but don’t make a scene. You know I hate girl drama .”
That was it. The words were like the cue I had been waiting to hear. My fist flew up from the side of my hip and caught him under the chin. He reeled back into the arms of the girl .
“What the hell, Kaitlyn?” He massaged his chin .
“Oh my God, Branch. Are you ok?” The bikini girl leaned over to look at his chin. The way she touched him, I knew they weren’t new acquaintances .