Page 12 of Lucifer's Hounds

"Shit. I have to go. I'm going to be late."

He throws on his blue jeans and shirt, grabs his cut, and quickly laces up his boots.

“Come on. I have to get you to your car.”

I follow him out the door, wincing as soon as I see the sunlight. Cass drops me off, kisses my forehead, and tells me to meet him tonight at six.

I drive back to the hotel with the windows down and music playing softly, so as not to make my head worse than it already is. I’m happy.

I walk back to my room and jump onto the bed, landing flat with a thud. I immediately regret that decision as my head thumps harder with each beat of my heart. This trip to Houston is proving to be one of my best ideas yet. Thoughts of Cass dance in my head as I drift back off to sleep and I dream of him in my slumber.

I wake with a smile as I roll over to check my phone. I’ve barely touched it since I’ve been here. There were two texts from Mindy and a missed call from my mom.

Mindy: How is it?

Mindy: Lilly Amber Summers! What’s his name?

Grinning, I text Mindy back.

Lilly: Once you hear about the man I’ve spent the last two nights with, you’re going to freak. He’s sexy, he rides a motorcycle, and he’s amazing in bed.

I press send before switching to my call logs to call my mother back.

“Hey sweetie.”

“Hey Mom!”

“I was just checking on you. How was your drive?”

“It was good, Mom. I needed this trip.”

“Good for you, honeys.”

“How are things on your end?”

“They’re good! I’ve been busy working at the office all week as usual. David and I are planning a trip home soon, though. It’s too cold in Ohio for me, but he loves his job and I’m making the best of it. I miss you!”

“I miss you too, Mom. Let me know when y’all are planning on coming down so I can make sure I’m off work and in town.”

“I will.”

“I love you and I’ll call you tomorrow when I get back.”

“I love you too. And Lilly?”

“Yeah?”

“Be safe and call me if you have trouble staying awake or anything.”

“I will, Momma. Love you.”

“Love you too. Bye.”

I press the end button and toss my phone on the bed beside me. I want to tell Mom everything about Houston, but I’m not sure of what’s even going on. How can I explain it to someone else when I don’t fully understand it myself?

It’s already two o’clock and I am in dire need of food. I pick up the room service menu and order a cheeseburger and fries. It arrives in record timing and for that I’m grateful. There’s nothing like a greasy cheeseburger to soak up a hangover. I scarf down every bite then lay back in the bed. I flip through the channels and turn onCriminal Minds. As badly as I want to go take pictures, the cold and dark hotel room is much more inviting than the bright and hot sun.

I waste the entire day in bed watching a Criminal Minds marathon. That was the sole purpose of this trip, to do whatever I felt like doing and not having to worry about the world back home for a few days. Tonight is my last night in Houston since I have to spend tomorrow driving home. And if it’s anywhere near as wonderful as the last two have been, I’ll be happy. Five-thirty rolls around so I head to Skeeter’s to meet Cass.

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