AllFreeNovel
Share Us
By the time I’m back, Leighton’s outside, frantically pacing. Well, so much for her breathing technique. I wonder if something happened while I was gone. Did she get a call from her parents?
As I approach, she wheels to face me, her face pinched and agitated. “What is this?” Her hand waves at the three-story, brick building.
Though obvious, I indulge her. “Uh, it’s a hotel.”
“We’re not staying here.” Head shaking to punctuate her words, she pulls out her phone and starts tapping on the screen.
“Why? What’s wrong?”
I wait patiently for her to stop what she’s doing and look at me. I’m not willing to accept I’ll have to reload the car, cancel the rooms I’ve just paid for, and endure more time in the car with someone who clearly doesn’t like road trips.
She chews on the inside of her cheek. “This isn’t a five-star hotel.” Her hand tightens its grip on the phone. “This is crazy.”
Is she for real? It’s got a bed and a bathroom; what more could she possibly need? I release an exasperated sigh as her finger flicks across the screen for what feels like the hundredth time.
She pauses to glance at me. “We could stay here.” She shoves the phone at me and points at a listing. “Or here.”
Either hotel is easily another two hours from here, but I don’t have the energy to argue. I was content to drive through to Vail or to stay here tonight. And above all else, she’s the client.
“Okay. I need to get your luggage, get our money back, and then there’s a bit of a drive. It’ll take us about—”
“Forget it.” She rubs at her temples, and I notice she is pale. “I can’t take another minute in the car.”
I want to ask about her urgent need to be out of the car. Is she claustrophobic? But given her current state of mind, now isn’t the time.
“Hey, this isn’t a five-star hotel, but it’s clean and they had two rooms. It’s only for a night.”
“True,” she concedes though she’s scowling. “Where’s my room?”
We walk up to her room, and once inside, she wrinkles her nose and a small sob rushes from her. “This is worse than I thought.” She snatches the hotel keycard from my hand. “This is a nightmare.”
She tries to close the door without another word, but I’m quick and half expected she’d do something like this given her mood. My hand slaps against the wood, and she startles on a squeak, eyes now wide.
I should feel a small ounce of regret for scaring her—I didn’t mean to—but what I’m about to say is overdue.
“We need to get a few things straight or else the drive will be even more unbearable than it’s already been.” Pinching the bridge of my nose, I internally search for the calm I usually have an abundance of. “I should have said something earlier, but I’d hoped things would sort themselves out. Clearly, I was wrong.”
“What does that mean?” Her brows knit, tight and sharp like a V.
“We need to make the best of this. I’m your driver, not your servant or verbal punching bag. I don’t mind carrying your bags, opening doors for you, but I’m not someone you can treat less than.”
My foot now props the door open, and I drop my hand to my side, preparing to get to what I think is the heart of the matter.
“It’s clear to see that you’ve got stuff going on with your parents. It’s none of my business, but don’t take it out on me.”
Silence follows.
She stares blankly at me, offering no indication she understands for only a second or two before her gaze drops to the floor. I’ve lost her, and this annoys me and causes a strange kick to the center of my chest. I want to help her, but she won’t let me in, and I suppose that makes sense. We are nothing more than a business transaction. Acquaintances. Even if we could be more.
I slide a finger under her chin and tilt her head to look up at me. She gapes, but once again doesn’t utter a word or try to move out of my grip. Transfixed, her gaze locks with mine.
“Let me put it to you this way.” I gently press my two fingers into the soft flesh under her chin. “I understand this is an employment contract and at the very least, we should be civil with one another. But if you want, I can also be a friend.” I pause, allowing this to sink in, but she offers no indication of interest or disdain. “No matter what, for the duration of this ride, I deserve your respect and understanding, as you do mine.”
8
TOM
Leighton sputters, mouth opening and closing, without emitting any sound. Was I too harsh? Shit, that wasn’t my intention.
