Page 69 of Something Borrowed

“It’s clean.” She says, looking around the room. “Do you think we’ll be safe here though?”

“No one will think to look for us here.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Verity

The motel is like a graveyard. Desolate and lifeless.

Apart from the guy at the front desk we haven’t seen a single other person in two days. On the road in the distance there are some trucks passing and when the wind is blowing too hard, I can see their dust trails rising into the air. But nothing else happens out here.

I am restless and uneasy, and the tension escalates the longer we remain here. I have nothing to distract me from my own thoughts.

Red believes that this is the safest place for us to hide, and I can see why. Because no one exists out here.Nothingexists.

He’s powered off his phone, and I left mine behind, so we can’t be tracked - but we also can’t receive updates on the situation back home. Red is uncertain about the safety of his family, and I’m unsure if my father is causing chaos.

I swing back and forth between being furious at Red for bringing us here and being furious at myself for not just going home when my father told me to. But all of that is inconsequential when I think about leaving him - and I know I could never.

It doesn’t stop the emotional turmoil though.

And with nothing else to do out here but think - I am going a little crazy.

I pick up a rock and throw it into the field behind the motel. I was out for a walk, but I’ve walked this path too many times and now I’m just sitting here on an old wooden bench that looks like it shouldn’t still be functional.

I trace my finger over the gritty, dry surface and wince when a small splinter spikes into my skin.

“Dammit.” I mutter.

“There you are.” His voice comes from behind me.

“Where else would I be?” I snap, annoyed. I push and rub my finger to force the splinter out.

“I’ve got good news.” Rufino says, sitting down on the bench next to me.

He has my full attention in an instant.

“We can go home?” I ask, excited and perking up, forgetting about the splinter.

“No, but the motel owner told me he was going past that truck stop we visited, and I asked him to bring us an order of whatever was on the menu today. Maybe we’ll get some more of that incredible pot roast.”

“Pot roast? Are you serious right now?” I get up with a loud huff and move to storm off. Rufino grabs my arm and pulls me onto his lap.

“Hey, don’t do that. Don’t walk away from me. I’m just trying to make the most of this situation.”

I sit on his lap, annoyed that I like the way he is holding me and as always - how patient he is with me. My first instinct is to run. To lash out. To fight. His first instinct is to hold me. How did I find someone so perfect for me? Someone how knows exactly how to handle me in every situation. He’s like the yin to my yang. My perfect balance. Someone to keep my grounded but still let me be wild and spontaneous.

Perhaps a little too spontaneous if I look around at where it’s gotten us.

I sigh and Rufino chuckles.

He runs his hand up and down my spine, sending shivers through me and making me lean into him.

He grins and says, “It’s not so bad. If I had to be stuck in a place like this with anyone on earth I’d choose you.”

I laugh. “Youarestuck in a place like this you idiot.”

He chuckles too.

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