What if he decides he doesn’t really want to do this? What if I had given him that chance? Would this have been his baby? The questions keep coming and they exhaust me. I know I shouldn’t focus on it, because he’s here now. Except this time, I won’t be so damn stupid. I’m never going back to where I came from.
I awaken to a dark room. There is no light except for TV. Lance is snoring like a baby and he looks so peaceful. My stomach growls and I try to hide the noise but it rumbles. I definitely want that food I passed up earlier. My stomach growls again. Lance turns over and I stifle a small laugh thinking that my stomach woke him up. It feels good to laugh, almost like a heavy stone is being lifted off my chest. I should laugh more often.
Leaving the hotel room to get food without Lance is not an option. Travis is what nightmares are made of, and he could be lurking anywhere, watching and waiting for me. I reach for my purse and begin sifting through countless receipts and junk for something to eat. Anything will do. I just need something to hold me over until morning. I find the wrapper of a candy bar. Chocolate. I didn’t realize I had this in here but I’m grateful for it.
Carefully, I unwrap the bar. My mouth is watering like crazy and I’m inches from taking the first bite.
“You went to the store without me? Don’t you remember it’s not safe out there right now?” Lance appears by my side so fast, I drop the candy bar onto the bed. I clench my chest, attempting to catch my breath.
“You scared me, Lance.” I gasp, my heart sitting in my throat. “No, I didn’t go anywhere. I found this in my purse. Sorry, I-I, didn’t mean to alarm you.”
My eyes widen at how quick I am to apologize. I feel like a foolish child about to be scolded. I want to cower in the corner and put my head between my knees while I wait for my punishment.
“No, I’m sorry, Hil. I jumped to that conclusion when I woke up and saw you getting ready to eat a candy bar. If you’re hungry, we can go grab something at the diner.”
“It’s the middle of the night. I’m okay. I’m just going to eat this and probably lie back down.”
He studies my face for a moment. Then he grabs hold of my hand and every ounce of common sense leaves my body. The bolts of electricity lighting up my insides remind me of what it means to feel something again.
“Sweetheart, the diner is open twenty-four hours. If you’re hungry, just say the word and we can go. You have another life to think about here. You need your nourishment.”
Hearing him say that is a pure punch to my gut. I could never forget about the baby I’m carrying, but it isn’t even his baby, and he acts like it’s no big deal. It’s a big deal to me. I’m a terrible person. What the hell am I supposed to tell this child later on? Again, seeing him step up to take responsibility for what isn’t his has my heart fluttering, and not being able to control these feelings is driving me insane.
“I’ll be okay for tonight,” I tell him. “Tomorrow we can get real food.” I try to pull my hand from his. He holds on tightly, though, and I’m unable to move. For once I feel safe and comfortable.
“Anything you want, we’ll get. I do have to go to the gym tomorrow. If I miss it, that’s my ass. Shit, that reminds me, I should probably turn my phone on.” He frantically reaches for his phone. The minute he turns it on, his notifications begin blowing up.
“You seem pretty important,” I joke.
“Not really.” Then he gawks at his phone. Part of me wants to ask what it is, but then I remember it’s none of my business. I’m nothing more than the pathetic girl he rescued. “Raegan has been wondering where we went, and now Garrett is texting me too. I’m going to kick her ass.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
He sighs, giving my hand one more squeeze. “Raegan was doing all she could to help you. Garrett didn’t like how involved she was because of Travis. She set up our meeting, and he squeezed the information out of her. Now they are wondering where we are. Let me call him real quick.”
I take a bite of that candy bar I’ve been holding. The chocolate melts in my mouth, and I devour it in a matter of seconds. My stomach is still growling, but I don’t let Lance know. Instead, I catch him in the middle of his conversation with Garrett.
“Yes, she’s out of it for good. Ask her yourself, she’s your girlfriend.” He goes silent for a moment before talking again. “I’ll be there in the morning. I’m not throwing shit away. Don’t worry, man, everything is under control. You don’t have to worry.”
He listens for a moment before finally saying goodbye. I’m no idiot, I know a lot of that conversation was about me. Garrett is worried Lance is throwing his life away for me. I’ll be damned before I let him do that.
Lance closes his eyes for a moment before glancing at me. He leans toward me and my heart jumps in my chest. I think he may kiss me, and I’m not sure how I will react to it. I’ll kiss him back, won’t I? His lips hover inches from mine. He plants a soft kiss on my lips and pulls away. It was the biggest yet most amazing tease ever.
“We have to be up in a few hours. You need to get some rest, Hil.”
I want to argue with him, but I lie down. He places the covers over me and gives me a kiss on my forehead before retreating to his bed. I so badly want to ask him to lie beside me, but I never open my mouth. Instead I just imagine he’s there.
Chapter 14
Lance
The sun peers through the hotel window and my heart sinks when my gaze lands on the empty bed beside mine. Where is Hilary? If she left, I’ll never forgive myself if something happened to her. It’s not like I made a move on her, and scared her off. I played my cards just right. I was the perfect gentleman, making sure we had separate beds even though I wanted nothing more than to hold her through the night as she slept. Finally, I see her purse. I let out a breath of relief. The bathroom door slowly opens, and she peeks out slightly.
“Oh, I didn’t know you were awake. I, uh…I forgot my bag on the other side of the bed. Can you get it for me, please?”
Oh shit, my dick just got hard. She’s naked on the other side of that door. Grow the fuck up, Lance.
“Yeah, sure.” I answer nonchalantly, like it’s no big deal. I grab her bag and meet her at the door, inching it a little closer. Her hand brushes mine when she takes it, and I so want to act on my instincts, but I’ve been on a good streak and I hate to break it because of my dick.