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It had been incredibly easy to get caught up in Grayson, in how nice and normal the whole evening had been. Laughing with Daisy as she introduced me to every stuffed animal in her room before shyly presenting me with the friendship bracelet.
My time in Little Falls had been like a dream. Everyone had been kind and helpful since I arrived. Growing up the way I had, I didn’t think people like that existed outside of fiction. When Winnie had suggested leasing the space from her brother for my bakery, it seemed as though my choosing this town at random was meant to be.
I’d allowed myself to think for one beautiful moment that a man like Grayson could want me, the real me. I’d let my guard down for a few hours, even telling him the truth about my mother, something I hadn’t talked about in years.
When he’d mentioned me having secrets, reality flooded back to me in an instant. I was such a fool. Grayson was an investigator; he owned his own security firm. Of course, he was going to have questions and I didn’t believe for a second that I did anything but increase his curiosity with my sudden exit.
Would he be able to find out who I really was? That I’d lied to him, to Winnie about my life before I came here? I’d filled out the paperwork to lease my bakery with false identification; that was a crime. Grayson worked closely with law enforcement, he would probably have to turn me over to the authorities.
My palms began to sweat and I pulled out my phone to search through my short list of contacts. I had no way of contacting Kate, not since she helped me escape years ago. Each of my exchanges after her had worked with burner phones so that nothing could be traced, should my father make it that far. When I finally decided to settle here, I was given a number to reach out to if I ever needed their help.
I’d never been told much about the organization that had saved me and given me my new identity. The flow of information was kept to a minimum, bits and pieces given to different people, making it nearly impossible for one person to know everything. They were clearly very good at helping people start new lives and that was enough for the desperate girl who needed to escape her only family.
When I filled out the application for my apartment with my fake name and social security number, I’d been waiting for the cops to show up and haul me away. The places I’d stayed in while on the run had been rundown motels and the occasional extended stay that didn’t raise an eyebrow at a young girl renting a room alone. When I’d received a call from my landlord the next day saying that I could move in as soon as I wanted, I couldn’t believe my luck.
Surely, Grayson had done some kind of background check on me before allowing me to sign the lease for the bakery. I didn’t know the inner workings of a security firm, but a man like him, with access to confidential information, wouldn’t have allowed me into his home if he knew the truth. His confusion at my behavior tonight proved he didn’t know I was in hiding.
My thumb hovered over the screen. I could make the call to my contact, leave tonight and disappear. But then what? Move from town to town again, never settling, never making friends for fear that it would get back to the wrong people? I didn’t want to leave. I loved Little Falls, with its small-town character and quirky citizens. I loved the friendships that I’d developed with Winnie and Jo. And Daisy, sweet, sweet Daisy. What would she think? Would she be hurt that I hadn’t said goodbye?
My phone dropped to the floor and I lifted my arm, fingering the rainbow threads on the bracelet she’d given me, while tears gathered in my eyes at the childlike innocence of it. I was tired of running. Little Falls was my home now, my friends and my bakery were my future.
There would be no more dinners with Grayson, I couldn’t risk him looking into me more than he would any friend of his sister’s or tenant in his building. It would be an insult to all the people who put themselves in danger to help me.
My heart panged inside my chest at the pain that decision caused. I dropped my head in my hands as tears streamed from my eyes. Grayson and Daisy were a beautiful dream meant for someone else.
* * *
“I thoughtyou said we were going to a spa,” I whispered to Winnie as I gazed around in shock.
“That’s what Jo told me. But this is, this is, I don’t know what this is!”
There were half-naked men all over the reception area. Each of them had on loose linen pants that hung low on their hips. Their bare chests glistened in the dim lighting, highlighting their well-muscled bodies.
Deep, pulsing music came through the speakers, giving the room more of a club-like feel. One of the men approached us with a tray full of mimosas and I snagged one quickly and drained it. I felt like I needed the liquid courage to ensure that I didn’t turn around and run straight out the door.
Jo, who had been checking us in at the welcome desk, bounced toward us with a delighted smile on her face. “Isn’t this place amazing!” She squealed as she grabbed her own mimosa from the passing tray.
“What the hell, Jo? I thought you said we were going to a spa not a strip club!” Winnie whisper-screamed at her.
Jo’s blonde brows furrowed, “Weareat a spa. These men are all one hundred percent certified masseuses, they just also happen to look like sex on a stick. It’s their gimmick, to get people in the doors. Didn’t you look at the website I sent you? They had pictures; it’s called ‘Rock Hard Spa’ for God’s sake.”
“I just assumed they specialized in hot-stone massages,” I said, distracted by all the skin on display.
Were they even wearing underwear? One of the Adonis-like men was walking in the direction of our group and I couldn’t help but stare at the impressive package slowly swinging behind the thin fabric with his movements. That couldn’t be comfortable for him. I imagined it was like running without a sports bra, it was painful to have those things slapping around.
Jo and Winnie had gone quiet, seemingly as enthralled as I was when he came to a stop in front of us. I couldn’t look away, were penises supposed to be that big? I had zero experience in the peen department but that thing looked like it should be considered a weapon of mass destruction.
“Welcome to Rock Hard Spa, ladies,” the penis said. It was a nice voice, calm and soothing, not at all what I expected a penis to sound like. I frowned in confusion before I realized the man attached to the penis was actually the one talking. Maybe the mimosas were stronger than I thought. “I understand we have a bride with us today.”
“Yes!” Jo cheered and shoved Winnie toward penis-man. “Our friend Winnie’s the bride.” My eyes bounced from the penis to Winnie to see her own widening to comic proportions.
“Wonderful, I have your room all set up if you would like to go in and get undressed.”
“I’m married and pregnant!” she screamed in his face and I had to hand it to penis-man, his professional demeanor didn’t slip a bit at Winnie’s shrieked confession.
“I would be more than happy to accommodate your needs.” Sweet baby Jesus, the way he said ‘needs’ was like foreplay.
“We offer an excellent pre-natal massage that helps to reduce swelling and relieve stress.” This guy was a professional, I could see why they hired him, godzilla dick notwithstanding.
