Page 100 of Never Forget

“Okay,” I breathe, and pull him down to kiss me again. He deepens it, threading his hands through my hair and shifting his hips so I can feel his need for me.

“When I get you home, I’m tying you to my bed and not letting you leave for a week.”

I smirk. “Promises, promises.”

“You’re mine, Scott Riley. Never forget it.”

The SUV rolls to a stop in front of a dark, depressing motel just inside the city limits. Naz pulls back and looks around before smiling down at me. It’s not a true smile, but it’s not forced either. It’s a smile that says, we just have to get through this. I return it and nod.

“Okay,” I say, and tap his hip. Naz crawls off me and sits in one of the chairs facing mine. Cory tosses a jacket from the front, and Naz uses it to cover himself. He watches me straighten my clothes and take a deep, steadying breath before I reach for the door.

“Scott?” I look over at him one last time. “You said I was too believable before. If I was, it’s because I let myself imagine losing you for real. And it made me realize how much I’ve taken you for granted. When this is all over, I want to make that up to you.”

“Baby, you can take me for granted as much as you like. It doesn’t change the fact that you’re mine.”

Before I lose my resolve, I open the door and step out into the warm, damp night. As soon as the door is closed behind me, Cory is there. He walks around from the back of the SUV, drops my bag in a puddle on the ground next to me, and hands me a manila envelope.

“All the paperwork you need to review is there, and a copy was sent to your email as well. You can choose to sign online through the label’s secure portal, or you can mail it back using this pre-paid envelope. Please complete it as soon as possible. Tonight would be best, so the system can be updated.”

See, a little hint like that to let me know that this is all part of the plan really goes a long way. Why couldn’t he have done something like that back at the trailer?

Another, smaller envelope is pulled from his back pocket, which he also shoves into my hands. “Your room key. The room is paid up for three nights. And a travel voucher. The bus station is within walking distance. If you ask me, it’s more than you deserve. Now, if there isn’t anything else, I’d like to be on my way.”

“Thank you,” I tell him. My voice and expression are a careful, solemn mask, but I hope he can read the honesty in my words. They’d be true even if he really was throwing me out on my ass.

Cory swallows and looks pointedly at me. His voice lowers. “Whatever you were feeling back there when we left the compound, hold on to that. You’re a shit actor. Too fucking happy all the goddamned time.”

I have to press my lips together to keep from smiling at his back as he rounds the vehicle. He shoots me one last look, then gets in and drives away.

As I watch the taillights disappear into the distance, I wonder if this guy will even answer me if I text him. For all I know, he has me blocked and isn’t interested in me now that he’s effectively ruined me as far as he’s aware.

Turns out I don’t have to wait long to find out.

I’ve barely gotten into my hotel room and unpacked my things so I can dry out my bag when my phone buzzes.

Unknown: I hate to say I told you so, but…

Scott: This is all your fault.

Unknown: Prove it. Oh wait, you can’t.

Scott: Congratulations, you ruined my life. Are you happy now?

The phone rings, the unknown number flashing on the screen. I don’t answer it, waiting for him to call back a second time. When he does, I wait until just before the call disconnects.

“What do you want?”

“As much as I enjoy being proven right, I’m not happy,” the man says, his voice thick with mock sympathy.

“Well, if you didn’t call to gloat, what the fuck are you bothering me for?”

“Actually, I want to help you.”

I scoff. “You’re the one who did this to me.”

“Am I? Because I wasn’t the one who accused you of being a gold digger. A nobody after his fifteen minutes of fame, was it?”

“You… You were listening? How?”