Page 10 of Found By You

“I got it.” I tip my chin to the door for her to move ahead and open it.

“I didn’t know motels still had these keys,” she says, pushing inside.

The room is basic—a king bed centered against the wall, two nightstands, a dresser across from the bed with a TV on top, a small table with two chairs, and an attached bathroom. It’s nothing to write home about, but it’s clean.

She flicks a light switch, illuminating the room in a soft glow from the bedside lamps. I set her bag and coat on the table, then head for the floor heater beneath the window.

Is this thing even on? It’s freezing in here.

“Oh, they said the heat is a little off in here,” she tells me as I crouch in front of the vents that are barely blowing out what I’d consider heat. “They gave me a discount for tonight. I guess someone is coming to fix it tomorrow.”

I smack my palm on the side of the heater and scowl. What the hell?

“Is there some kind of event going on out here?” she asks curiously. “All the other rooms were taken and the parking lot is pretty full. Is it always like this?”

“There’s a ski resort on the mountain. Hot vacation spot for tourists,” I say, smacking the heater again and earning a burst of air blown in my face. “A lot can’t afford to stay at the resort hotel, so they stay in town.” The heater makes an awful rattle and slows down. “Piece of shit.”

Maci giggles behind me and I face her. “Is it going to cost me extra if you fix the heat, too?”

I scoff, standing. “You going to be okay in here?”

“I’ll be fine.” She takes in a deep breath. “Thank you for…everything.”

“Did you need anything else?” I ask, since I can’t seem to help myself tonight. “I can run to the store or somethin’ for ya. Food, water, whatever you need.”

She smiles. “There’s a gas station across the street, I’ll walk over in a bit, but thank you for the offer.”

My jaw tightens, not liking her response. Or the idea of her walking around this late at night alone. She’s not your responsibility, Duke, back off.

But I can’t.

“I’ll drive you over.”

“It’s right across the street, don’t worry about it,” she says, grabbing her purse and slipping in the room key. “Matter of fact, I’ll go now before the sidewalks get any more covered.”

When she goes to take off my hoodie, I stop her. “Leave it on. Your coat is still wet.”

“Are you sure? I can—”

“It’s not like I don’t know where you’re going to be,” I grunt. “Besides, it’s probably warmer than that thin excuse of a coat you’ve got.”

“It’s not that thin,” she mutters. I raise a brow. “Okay, fine, it’s not exactly the best for keeping out wind, but it’s still warm.”

I open the door. “You ready?”

Her brow furrows as she watches me closely. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be? Like going home to a significant other?”

The question digs at me even though I keep my voice free of emotion when I deadpan, “No.”

As hard as I’ve ever tried to push away this feeling in my gut I’ve had for the last hour or more, I can’t any longer. Because something is churning inside of me to make sure she’s okay. Safe, warm, fed. Whether it’s knowing she’s stranded or alone—or fuckin’ both.

I need to. For me.

Four.

Maci

Duke talked me back into his truck—well, more like demanded it. Then insisted he take me down the road to a grocery store where a bottle of water isn’t the same price as a whole case. Thankfully, they were open for another ten minutes, giving me enough time to grab a case of water, a bundle of bananas, and a bag of chips.

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