Page 63 of What Is Love
“Your elbow is bleeding,” Mac said.
“I’m fine,” I said again, grabbing the black sweatpants next.
Just before removing the dress off my lap, I glanced at Wyatt. He was still staring, clearly mad and with many questions burning in his pretty blue and green eyes.
“I don’t have underwear on. Can you look away?” I asked.
Both he and Mac exchanged another glance before facing forward.
I tried to move quickly to get the pants on. Once I did, I felt a little bit better. “Were you able to bring shoes?”
“Yes,” Mac said, pulling them out of the bag along with a pair of socks.
I took off my wet socks and replaced them with her clean ones. The shoes she’d brought were the kind that slipped on, which was perfect. Bending hurt.
“Thank you,” I said, and climbed out of the car.
They did, too, and waited in the rain as I collected my keys, phone, and wristlet. They silently followed me, clearly unsure what to do, as I walked toward the hotel’s entrance. I wished they wouldn’t follow, but I didn’t want to be rude and tell them to leave after helping me. So I let them trail behind me as I went inside and up to the front desk.
There was an elderly gentleman behind the desk. He smiled as we approached. “Welcome. How can I help you?”
“Reservation for Kendry.” I had called from outside and reserved a room.
His gray brows rose at hearing my name, but there was doubt in his eyes. My grandfather’s company owned the hotel. As a member of the Kendry family known for its wealth, I didn’t exactly look the part at the moment. My hair was a mess and I was wearing last night’s makeup. Not to mention my cheeks felt like they had permanent tear streaks going straight down them.
“I’ll need a credit card and ID,” he said.
I pulled mine out of my wristlet and handed them to him. He read my name on my driver’s license and his eyes went wide. He quickly checked me in and handed me my cards and room key. “Here you go, Ms. Kendry. Elevators are around the corner. Please let me know if you need anything during your stay.”
I tried to give him a parting smile, but just ended up nodding. I opened the little booklet the key card came in and read the room number. It was on the tenth floor.
Wyatt and Mac followed me into the elevator. Nearly all its walls were golden and mirrored inside. In them, I could see Mac and Wyatt standing behind me as we rode up.
Mac let out anugh. “Wyatt, you’ve never been this quiet in your life. It’s freaking me out.”
When he didn’t respond, my eyes found him in the mirrored wall in front of me. He was already staring at me, his face hard and serious. Mac sighed and began biting her nails.
I could feel their need to ask questions. The tension of it weighed on me until we got into the room, which was just a regular one with two queen beds. I took in each one before picking the one closest to the window. I went over to it, toed off my shoes, and climbed under the covers. The only way I could be somewhat not in pain was to lie on my left side. That was perfect. I wanted to watch the rain.
“Lottie,” Mac said hesitantly as she came to stand in front of me, blocking most of the window. “It’s clear that something bad happened to you. Well, it looks like it’sbeenhappening for a while?—”
“I can’t talk about it, Mac,” I said tiredly.
Wyatt took a seat on the foot of the bed I was lying on. “Why can’t you talk about it? Did the boyfriend do this?”
Mac looked taken aback. “Boyfriend?”
“She’s not with him by choice. It was set up by their parents,” Wyatt briefly explained.
“What?” Mac sounded confused.
“Weird rich people thing,” Wyatt said as if that explained it.
I snuggled my head farther into the pillow. “I’m tired.” I was hoping they’d catch the hint and leave. I really didn’t want to answer questions and have to lie to them. I really didn’t.
“Do you need anything?” Wyatt asked.
I shifted in the bed, trying to get in a more comfortable position. My ribs smarted, making my breath hitch. “Do you possibly have painkillers on you?”
