Page 65 of Clinch'd

What’s worse is that tomorrow I’m going to have to pretend all over again and hope that he caves. What is Suit waiting for anyway? At this point, I want this over with. Now.

“Miss? Um, we’re closing up now,” the waitress says and nodding dumbly, I pull out my credit card and pay without looking at the bill. I’m depressed enough already.

The stadium is quiet, with a few folks lingering and I glance around with a frown. For the first time since I started this fiasco, I didn’t pay attention to where we’re staying and now I have no clue how to get back to the hotel.

“Great,” I groan, turning my phone back on. My heart thumps painfully when I see missed calls and texts from Cooper, but I ignore them and congratulate myself on my progress when I tap out a text to Beast.

Hey, what hotel are we staying in?

While I wait, I walk down the street, shivering in the warm air. It’s 2 am. I’m alone beyond a couple passing me on the right and a dude sleeping under a newspaper down the block.

When Beast doesn’t answer I text him again and again but after thirty minutes of glancing around like a paranoid freak, I admit defeat.

The truth of the matter is that regardless of hurt feelings, I have a job to do. I might as well inveigle my way back into Cooper’s world now. While I’m alone in a fucking city I’ve never been to.

Resolved, I read through his texts, before slumping against a dirty wall.

Minnie?

Shit I’m sorry

I didn’t mean it

I’m an asshole

Minnie, please answer your damn phone

Fuck

I’m sorry…

With the sickly-sweet sting of garbage assaulting my nostrils, I tap out,I’ll accept your apology on one condition.

Bubbles form immediately and I concede even if it’s fucked up, that I’m relieved he’s sitting by his phone.What? Anything…

Too bad I have to waste this opportunity, but it is what it is.

Tell me what hotel we’re staying in

There’s radio silence and I start to sweat, more than I already am, anyway when my phone lights up. Fuck. I'm not ready to speak to him but I can’t exactly hang out on the curb all night.

“Hello?”

“Where the fuck are you?” he barks.

“This is not a good way toward redemption,” I mutter, glancing up when a car stops beside me.

“It’s two in the damn morning,” he roars, and I wince as the driver in the car rolls down his window and says, “Yo, how much?”

“Huh?” I ask, squinting at him.

“Minnie?” Cooper says.

“How much? I’ll treat you real good,” the dick says, grabbing his crotch.

“Ew, no fucking way,” I shout.

“What the fuck is going on?” Cooper growls and I huff. “Can you just tell me where we’re staying before I get propositioned again?”

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