Page 60 of Linc
The front entryway looks as though you’re walking into a gym.There’s an older woman, maybe in her fifties, sitting behind a counter, typing away on the computer.As I make my way a little further in, a ding rings out and she looks up and spots me.A friendly smile forms on her face as she stands to greet me.
“Hello, welcome to SafePlace LA.I’m Erica.What can I help you with today?”Erica comes around the counter and extends her hand in greeting.Just by looking at her, I can tell she’s a nurturer by nature.She has the voice and mannerisms for it.
Erica eyes my arm in the sling and tries her best not to show her appraisal of my entire body.My bruises have long since healed and Dad said that I finally have a glow of life back in me since we started our hikes in the woods.
“We have plenty of space available if you’re in need of a place to stay for a while.The facility is amazing and we can make your stay here comfortable.Discretion is not a problem,” she adds.
Oh whoa, back up.Oh goodness, she thinks I’m here to hide out or that I’m homeless.I’m guessing this place is a shelter of some sorts.
“I’m not here to stay Erica, but thank you for the offer,” I kindly say.“I’m actually looking for Lincoln Thorne.Is he around here or has he already left for the day?”
“Oh dear, please forgive me.I thought… well, never mind, come on back with me and I’ll see if he’s done yet.”
I follow her through a thick metal door, that she scans to get in, then walk down a long hallway with rooms filling both sides.I was able to see in one of the rooms and it had beds and dressers in them.After we take a right then left turn, we enter through another metal door that leads into a very large gymnasium.It looks brand new or very well maintained.The place is huge, offering a full basketball court, a place for kickball, batting cages, and a volleyball court on the far side.Off to the other side, there are more doors as we make our way over in that direction.
“Lincoln should be almost done,” Erica says as we stop and she peers in after opening a door.“Come, you can sit in the back until he’s finished.”
She guides me in quietly.As we enter, I hear his voice before my eyes see him.My body lights on fire the closer we get to each other.Erica offers me a seat before she heads back out of the room.
“I know some of you want to give up but there is so much more out there waiting for you.I’ve been where you are and feel the same as you.I didn’t have an awesome place to retreat to but I made it work.Made sure that when I woke up every morning that today was going to be a good day,” Lincoln encourages the group of young kids.
He looks so relaxed, propped up on a wooden brown desk towards the front of the room.He’s wearing a pair of black basketball shorts with a white sleeveless shirt that shows off his ripped arms.His hair is a mess and from the dark circles under his eyes that match my own, I can tell he isn’t sleeping much.Linc looks in his element here talking with these young kids, as if each one is waiting with bated breath for his next words.He’s so enthralled in speaking with them that he doesn’t even notice that I’ve walked in.
My purse gets caught on my sling as I try to take it off and it tips over, making a loud noise as some of the contents spill out and onto the floor.I duck down to gather up the items, trying to dodge everyone’s looks, hoping to be ignored but the scrape of several chairs against the floor sound out.
“Here, let me help you,” a gentle voice offers, as a set of hands come down to help wrangle my pen and lip gloss that rolled away from me.
“Thank you,” I whisper.The young boy who helped me hands me my things, then takes his seat again.
The room is eerily quiet and as I raise my head, hoping that Linc is still in discussions with the group, my eyes fall on the man that’s been keeping me up every night for the past twenty-eight nights.His shocked eyes stare at me, as if I’m a mythical creature.The full lips I haven’t tasted in so long are slightly open, and his body is straight as a board.
“Everly?”Linc says in question, like he’s not sure he believes his eyes.The group of kids have all turned in their seats with their heads snapping back and forth at us.Whispers start to fill the room but all I can focus on is the man who looks cemented to the ground in front of the desk.
“Hi.”I stand from my chair in the back.Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea and I should’ve waited back at his office with Olivia.
He still hasn’t made a move from his spot at the front or said anything else, which isn’t a good sign.I’m sure I could call Saylor to come and get me as soon as someone tells me exactly where here is.
“Guys this, Everly,” he tells the room, not taking his eyes from me.I give the room a look and a small wave as I feel my cheeks heat from all the eyes on me.“Remember me telling you about her being in an accident a few weeks ago?”
“Yo, LT got a lady!”A voice from across the way sounds off and the room bursts in hollers and whistles.
“LT too ugly to have a lady that fine.”
“Dude, I hope she’s the new counselor.”
“Sorry, but she must be here for me.”
My face immediately burns even hotter, not only from their words but at this entire situation.I think I’ve read this all wrong and should leave now with my dignity somewhat still intact.
Turning on my heels, I secure my purse and start for the door to get the hell out of here and away from the suffocating room.I’m almost to the door, when I hear Linc over the grumblings of the room I’m all but running from.
“Wait!Don’t leave,” Linc calls out and the sound of shoes jogging towards me has the hairs on my forearm standing tall.
I make it out the door and down the hall a few feet, when I feel his chest caress my back as his body towers over mine.I turn to face him and our bodies press together.
“What are you doing here, Everly?”Linc asks in my ear, where his lips almost touch my lobe.
I’m not sure if he’s angry or what, as his tone doesn’t give anything away.
