Page 89 of Bad Run

That’s not a problem either Lance or I need. So, for both our sakes, I can see this experience for what it was. One perfect night.

It’s a hell of a lot more than some people get in their lifetimes.

Now, I just need my heart to listen to logic and get on board, and hope the pain of regret disappears soon.

twenty-nine

Lance

Past

“Taylor! Get your ass out of bed.”

Cam bangs on the door, pulling me from a deep sleep. Probably the best sleep I’ve had in years, maybe ever. I slide my hand across the mattress, searching for the woman who made that possible, and find the sheets cold to my touch.

My eyes fly open, and I lie still, listening to my surroundings. Despite my teammates bickering on the other side of the door, the room is quiet. Too quiet.

She’s gone.

What the fuck?

“We’re coming in!” Reed shouts.

There’s no time to pull the harpoon from my chest as the door to my hotel room flies open, and three hulking figures enter my room and station themselves at the entryway, blocking the door. Cameron, Reed, and Blake look around the room, with giant grins.

To say my room is a mess is an understatement. Furniture is out of place, lamps are knocked down, my clothes are strewn around the room, and there are quite a few condom wrappers lying on the floor. The only thing, or person, missing is Gwen.

I wrap the sheet around my waist, hiding my morning wood from view, and sit up against the headboard. “The fuck is wrong with you, dickheads? Barging in. I expect better from you, Cam.”

“I just knocked.” He points at Reed, placing the blame on him. “This guy stole the access card off the room service cart.”

“I didn’t steal; I borrowed it.” Reed shines his nails on his shoulder.

“Whatever. What are you guys doing here?”

“You ditched us last night,” Reed says, looking miffed.

“What Reed means to say is, we were worried about you. You didn’t tell us you were leaving,” Cam clarifies.

“Looks like we didn’t need to worry. He was here and, from the look of it, not alone.” Blake wiggles his eyebrows at me as he leans against the mirrored wall and crosses his arms.

“Fuck off.” I flip him the bird, sending the guys into a fit of laughter. “As you can see, I’m fine.”

“And alone. Must not have been that great a night if she pulled a Houdini,” Reed teases.

He’s lucky I’m naked as the day I was born under this sheet, or I’d get out of bed and kick his ass. She might not be here, but I know for a fucking fact I left her more than satisfied.

Then why the fuck is she not here? the cruel voice in my head sneers.

I rub my hands over my face and exhale, refusing to let myself go there. There must be a reason Gwen left. There’s no way she didn’t feel what I felt last night while I was inside her, kissing her and filling her to the brim with every inch of me.

“Fuck,” I groan, ignoring my friends’ whispered squabbling.

“You okay, man?” I can hear the pity and concern in Cam’s voice.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m good. I just need to shower and get dressed.”

“You still headed upstate to your parents’ place?” Cam asks.