Page 27 of Shattered

He holds up his hands, silently agreeing not to mess with me.

7

GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER

We walk across the street and pay for one night in the motel. I don’t know where all my luck has gone, because out of this whole motel in this tiny, little town, the only room available had only one double bed. That means we both have to sleep in the same bed. I keep reminding myself that we have had sex twice now, but sleeping together, actually sleeping together feels too intimate.

River grabs both our bags out of the trunk while I unlock the door with an old school key. I open the door and flick on the light, the room fills up with a soft glow. But I’d rather have it dark so I didn’t have to see the dirty, outdated room.

I feel my shoulders fall as River comes up behind me. “It’s not bad,” he says as he steps past me, dropping our bags on the floor and plopping down on the bed, the rusted, metal springs squeaking under his weight.

I feel my nose crinkle up.

He reads my expression. “It’s only one night. It can’t be that bad.”

“Do you live in a barn or something? This room is horrible.” I sit down in the chair in the corner.

I look around at the flattened brown carpet that is covered in stains. My eyes drift up to the old TV with bunny ears in front of the green, quilt covered bed. There are small wall lights that hang on either side of the bed, and two ratty old night stands.

“No, I live in the city, in a studio apartment.”

“You really don’t think this room is that bad?”

He purses his lips together and shakes his head. “Na, what’s so bad about it? It has a bed to sleep in, a TV to watch, and a bathroom.”

Oh, God. The bathroom. I didn’t even think of that. I jump up and walk around the bed to the bathroom door. With a surge of bravery, I push the door open and flip the switch. A bright light fills the small space as my eyes adjust.

It’s just as outdated as the rest of the room, but at least it’s clean. The tiled walls are multiple shades of brown, and the handles on the old pedestal sink are rusted, but I don’t see any used condoms or body hair attacking every surface. I let out a sigh of relief as I walk back into the room.

I stand at River’s side. “Stand up.”

He looks up at me with confusion written on his face. “Why?” he asks, but stands anyway.

I reach down and pull back the quilt, examining the sheets for any stains. No way can I sleep on someone else’s bodily fluids. The sheets are crisp and white, free of any marks or holes.

“Do you feel better now?” he asks. I can hear the smirk I know is on his face.

I turn to look at him. “You may sit back down now.”

He flops back onto the bed while I grab my bag and rifle through it. I grab some fresh clothes and spin around. “I’m taking a shower.”

I turn on the shower and step under the stream of hot water. My back is sore from sitting in the car all day, and the heat of the water helps to soothe it. I rub my neck, trying to work out the knots.

Once I’m convinced the knots in my muscles are just a permanent part of me now, I use the shampoo provided and lather up my hair.

I’m just about to step out when I feel a cool gust of wind blow behind me. I twist around to see River.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I try hiding all my girlie bits.

His eyes go wide with alarm. “What? I need a shower too.”

I push against his chest as I step out and wrap a towel around me. “We,” I motion between us, “are not a couple!” I hold my towel tight around me. “Couples take showers together. We just…” I hold my hand up at my side and let it fall, it slaps off my thigh. “We just have sex on occasion and annoy one another.”

He holds the shower curtain open, not ashamed of the full frontal view he’s giving me as he grins, fucking grins. He shrugs one shoulder. “I thought this could be one of those occasions you speak of.”

I practically growl as I grab my clothes and leave the bathroom. Stepping into the other room, I dress quickly and rake a brush through my dark hair, seething. How dare he even think he can get in the shower with me? In what world is it okay to just jump in the shower with someone when you’re not invited?

Maybe I’m giving him mixed signals. But I don’t mean to. Yes, I kissed him first, and yes, I guess I was the one to initiate sex, but that was supposed to be a random, one-time thing. Then, when he showed up and I kissed that guy in the bar, I was so high off my excitement and our kiss on the street corner, I threw caution to the wind. I never should have slept with him a second time. But my body wants him more than anything. I couldn’t help the jealously when it came to that waitress. God, what is wrong with me? I cannot be falling for this guy.

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