AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My wall of loneliness and dejection starts to crumble, brick by brick. It’s sad that I need it—a constant reminder that I count and that what I want matters—but I do, and I can never truly express how much it means to me.
I really like Tom. For this reason and so much more. And this fact terrifies me.
“I wanted the job.”
Should I tell him about my secret account?
My little rebellion.
The account and my posts aren’t the same as the job Everly offered me, not even close, but it’s something. Telling my father and my mother, by extension, was a big mistake, though they would’ve found out eventually.
“Then do it.”
My chest swells at the way he’s looking at me. Like I matter. Like he believes in me. Believes I can do anything I put my mind to. The same warm wave spreads from my chest outward like a great big hug. Safe and comforting.
And even with that, I can’t. Only a few people know that account belongs to Leighton Price. I have to keep it that way. As much as I want to tell him, Tom looks at every person, man or woman, this way. This isn’t about me.
He treats people with respect, not to mention that he’s a shameless flirt. He knows how to make a person feel wanted, special, not in a cruel or manipulative kind of way but sincere. He’s an all-around good guy. Exceptional even.
And in turn, I can’t deny just how special I feel, mainly the longer his gaze lingers on me, eyes smoldering and lips curving sweetly upward.
Dammit. First I sleep with him and now…now I’m on the verge of falling head over heels for him.
No. No. No.
I need this road trip to end. Now.
Tomorrow we drive to Chicago, and I’d planned to stay for a day, maybe two, before our final stop. Now, we need to keep going.
Why did I think opening up to him would be good for me? We’re opposites. He seems to be rarely in one place, traveling and trying to find himself, and I’m shackled to a life that I can’t seem to get excited about with no way out. A life he clearly doesn’t approve of. And above all else, he’s… He’s glorious and magical even when doing the mundane.
As attractive as he is…
Nope. Nope. Nope.
Time to get back to my sad and lonely existence.
I need space from Tom. I need to forget about this sunshine man.
20
TOM
“No. Help.” Leighton’s wounded wails echo, loud and jarring, in my room, as if she’s there and not across the hotel suite. “Oh no.”
Her distressed cries stab the center of my chest over and over, and my hand rubs at the blossoming ache. I stumble from my bed, needing to help her. In the dark, bleary-eyed and freaked the fuck out, I walk right into the back of the couch.
“Fuck.” My toe pulses from where it hit the sofa leg as I limp-run the rest of the way to her room.
It’s the middle of the night in an unfamiliar hotel room, and Leighton needs me. Something is painfully wrong. Did someone get into our suite? Is she being attacked?
Why didn’t I insist on sleeping with her? Oh, because I didn’t want her to think all I wanted from her was sex.
The sounds coming from her are unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. Hollow, chilling, and heartrending. I throw open her bedroom door and falter when I’m hit with more darkness. It’s like a blackout, with not even a sliver of light creeping in from the break in the curtain.
“Leighton.” I gingerly make my way toward her whimpering.
A few blinks later and my eyes adjust to the near tar-like surroundings. I can make out Leighton, prone and thrashing in her bed, weeping and mumbling. She’s having a nightmare.
