Page 64 of Dirty Little Mistake

I desperately needed to check into my room and shower. My hair was a tangled mess, my clothes rumpled, and I chose comfort over cute, throwing on a pair of sweats because I had an early morning flight, plus the smell of the airport and over twelve hours of travel were strong.

"The Peabody Resort on the coast," I replied, fumbling with my phone. "Do you need the address?"

"No." He chuckled, a hint of local pride in his voice as he eased the car into traffic. "Everyone knows the Peabody. It's a local landmark."

I smiled politely, but I wasn't in the mood for a history lesson. Pulling out my phone, I searched through my messages, clicking on Kaia's name and pulling the phone to my ear.

"Did you make it?" Kaia's voice crackled through the phone, brimming with barely contained excitement.

"I just got here." I sighed, frustration seeping into my voice. "I missed the whole concert because my connecting flight was delayed."

"It's okay," she reassured, her tone softening. "I'm sure he's going to be so excited to see you."

"Yeah," I muttered, slumping against the car seat. "Except it ruins the whole surprise."

"You could still surprise him."

I shook my head. "I have no idea where they are parked, and even if I did, I doubt I could get close to their tour bus."

"You still share locations with all of us, don't you?"

My face dropped with realization. "Unless he removed me, then yes, I do. I'm headed to the hotel now, and I'm going to shower and go find him."

"Have fun," she teased, a mischievous tone in her voice. "And don't do anything I wouldn't do."

We disconnected, and I shoved my phone into my pocket as the driver pulled into the round driveway in front of the hotel. The driver shoved open his door and strolled around to the back as I slid out. He pulled out my suitcase and rolled it around to me.

"Thanks," I murmured, pressing a twenty into his palm with a weak smile before turning away, my mind already racing ahead to my next move.

Pulling my suitcase behind me, I pulled my hoodie over my messy hair as I stepped into the lobby. My breath caught as I immediately realized why the resort was a local landmark. Gilded chandeliers dripped with crystals, casting a warm glow across marble floors so polished I could almost see my reflection. My gaze drifted upward, following ornate columns that stretched toward a ceiling. For a moment, I forgot I was in a hotel and not a palace.

I strolled through the lobby, taking in just how beautiful it was, and stopped behind the third person in line.

My fingers twitched at my sides as the line inched forward. The thought of hot water washing away the grime of my travels made my skin itch even more. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, my eyes darting between the front desk and the line. I was so ready to find Trystan and surprise him.

Reaching into the pocket of my black sweatpants, I pulled out my phone, clicked on 'find my iPhone,' and waited for everyone's location to update. One after one, everyone's location popped up. I zoomed in on the phone closest to mine and narrowed my eyes.

"Man," a familiar voice caught my attention. "I'm so ready to go home and sleep in my bed."

My body stiffened as I slowly shifted to flick a look over my shoulder. It was Saylor and Creed.

"Yeah," Saylor said, walking to the elevator and hitting the button. "But hopefully, it's temporary, and we'll be headed back to L.A. to start recording our new album.

My gaze flashed back to Trystan's location on my phone. He was in this hotel. The elevator chimed, and I twisted back to watch as Creed and Saylor disappeared onto the elevator. I bolted toward them and watched the numbers over the elevator rise until they reached the top floor and stopped.

"They must have decided to stay here instead of the bus," I muttered, glancing back at the line that now had three additional people in it. Rolling my eyes, I hit the button, calling the elevator back to the first floor. I would check in after I found Trystan.

After a minute, the elevator chimed open, and I stepped in and hit number 24, but the doors didn't close. I hit it again and again. Still nothing. I scanned over the wall and stopped at a sign.

Please scan your room key to reach floor 24.

"Shit," I mumbled.

I stepped off the elevator and groaned as I got back in line.

The line crawled forward at a glacial pace. I watched the clock on the wall, its golden hands moving with excruciating slowness. One minute bled into five, then ten. By the time I reached the front desk, I'd counted every crystal on the nearest chandelier twice and memorized the pattern on the carpet. Twenty-eight minutes had never felt so long.

Stepping up to the counter, I pulled out my credit card and I.D. from my wallet. "Hello, I'm checking in. Camryn Young."

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