Page 29 of Only Ever Yours
“Please? I know exactly which box I need.” I clasped my palms together in mock prayer. “And could you pick uptoothbrushes and toothpaste? I really want to brush my teeth.”
He puffed out his cheeks with a good-natured huff and gave me a half-grin. “Fuck me, you’re high maintenance.” He shuffled back into an upright position and swung his legs off the bed. “Which box do you need, Princess?”
“It’s the smallest box; I think it was the last one we put in. Thanks, Jase. I really appreciate it.” I smiled, the most genuine one I’d had all day.
“Anything else while I’m there?” he grumbled.
“Nope. Just that and the bathroom stuff, and we’ll be good.”
Jase swiped the keycard off the bedside table and left the room. Once he had left, I sank down on the bed, suddenly exhausted by the events of the day. I pulled my phone out of my bag with every intention of checking on the status of the accident, but the messages on the screen distracted me.
Gil
You chose that meathead over me.
Gil
You’ll regret it.
Gil
It won’t be long before you’re crawling back.
Gil
I know where you live. Remember that.
Bile rose in my throat. My hand shook as I hovered over his name, getting ready to finally block him. If I thought I could get rid of him easily, it seemed I was mistaken. Iscrewed up my eyes, trying to rid myself of the headache starting to form in my temples. What the hell had he used to track me anyway? I stabbed away at my phone, looking at all the apps and seeing nothing unusual. Too tired to deal with it now, I’d deal with it later.
Chapter Eleven
Jase
Rain lashed down around me, and I wished I had remembered to put my jacket on. I didn’t think I’d be gone too long, but I couldn’t remember where I’d parked the van and went around the car park trying to find the damn thing. Once I did, I fumbled with the keys and dropped them in a puddle.
“Shit!” Scrabbling on the ground, I found them again and picked them up. Opening the back doors, I spotted the box Hollis wanted straight away. Tucking it under my arm, I locked up the van again and headed into the services to pick up the things she wanted. Wandering around the all-purpose convenience store, I added deodorant and shower gel to the basket with the toothpaste and toothbrushes. I doubted the hotel provided either of those things. The burger and fries had barely touched the sides earlier, and I was hungry again. Picking up a tube of Pringles and a few chocolate bars, I tossed them in, too. As I went to pay, I got sidetracked by the beer and wine aisle. Clearly, neither of us would be driving tonight, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a drink. Four cans of lager and a bottle of rosé winecompleted my haul. I paid and made the short dash back to the hotel.
“It’s only me,” I called as I opened the door.
Hollis sat on the edge of the bed, her phone in her hand, head bowed.
“Are you okay?” I placed the box on the desk and went to stand in front of her, realising I was so wet that I was dripping all over the carpet.
She seemingly shook herself back to the present and looked up at me, her gorgeous blue-green eyes glassy with tears. “Yes. Just tired. And you’re soaking.”
I didn’t believe her, and I also didn’t want to ruin things by pressing her into talking about something she clearly didn’t want to, so I changed the subject. “Did I get the right box?”
Hollis jumped up from the bed and went over to check it out. Opening the box, she took out a lacy negligee.
Fuck, I hope she isn’tgoing to wear that tonight.
“It is. Thank you.” She stuffed the garment back in and instead pulled out a matching long-sleeved T-shirt and shorts combo far more suited to our sleepover, no matter what any other part of my body wanted to think. “I’m going to get a shower, then go to bed.”
Gesturing to the bag I’d also put on the side, I said, “Toothbrushes and toothpaste as requested. Plus a few other things to help.”
“That’s really sweet, Jase. Thank you.” She took the toiletries and headed into the bathroom.
When I heard the shower going, I stripped off my jumper and T-shirt, hanging them up in the wardrobe and hoping they’d dry out in time for our trip home. Then I kicked off my boots and socks before taking down my jeans and draping them over the back of the chair. While I waitedfor my turn in the shower, I settled down on the bed again, in just my boxers, checking my phone.
