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“I’ll meet you outside,” I snap while reaching into the back pocket of my jeans and throwing some money onto the table.
Quinn looks up at me, puzzled, while the server looks relieved I’m leaving.
“Red, wait, I’ll…” he says, half standing.
But I don’t give him a chance to finish his sentence because I’m charging toward the exit.
Shouldering the door open, I welcome the cool breeze that slaps me in the face and mercifully cools me the hell down.I need to put a lid on my possessive, irrational feelings for Quinn. We haven’t even established what we are.
And besides, I’m supposed to be weening myself off him.
Thankfully, I find a distraction in the form of an ATM across the road, so I quickly run over to the quiet strip of shops with Tabitha’s credit card.
Tabitha Henderson.
Another friend I collected along the way who showed nothing but loyalty till the very end. It’s only because of Tabitha’s generosity that we could afford to do any of this. Otherwise, we’d be on the run and broke.
I intend to pay her back every penny even though I know it’ll take me my whole life to do so, as Tabitha comes from money. Not that you’d guess, seeing as Tabitha worked with me at Bobby Joe’s. That’s how we met.
With her fiery-red hair, warm eyes, and welcoming smile, I didn’t stand a chance at not being her friend—her best friend.
Trying not to look too suspicious, I flip my hand over to where I’ve written down Tabitha’s PIN numbers for each card in blue ink.As the machine reveals just how much money is available to withdraw, I have to take a closer look because I’ve never seen so many zeros before.
I feel awful, but I withdraw it all and do the same with the other two cards she so generously gave me.
As I quickly stuff the money into my backpack, in fear I’ll get mugged on the way back to Quinn’s truck, I wish I had my flick knife for protection. But I lost that in a scuffle with Brad, the sheriff’s son. But kicking that bastard’s ass was so worth it.
Thinking back to how different things would have turned out if not for Quinn saving my ass, I realize how much he’s done for me.Time and time again, Quinn has saved me and my ass. And all I’ve done is get his ass into trouble.
“There you are,” Quinn says when he sees me leaning against the hood of the truck.
“Here I am.”
He raises his eyebrow, confused by my behavior.
“Let’s go find somewhere to stay. I’ve withdrawn some money.”
Quinn nods but wisely doesn’t make a big deal about it because we don’t know who may be listening.
“Cool, let’s split,” he says, walking over to the passenger door to open it for me, but I pop off the hood and get there first.
Again, he raises his dark eyebrow and chews on the silver hoop in his lip, but he thankfully lets it go.
This is all part of my plan for him to hate me.
In the words of Quinn Berkeley, “It’s for the best.”
We find the perfect little motel hidden along the highway afew miles out of town. My heart breaks as I see its condition is similar to Night Cats, the motel that Hank owned and I worked at. It didn’t take long for it to become my home.
“You okay?” Quinn asks as he switches off the truck and catches me staring vacantly at the motel.
“Never better,” I blankly reply, not making eye contact as I reach for my backpack off the floor.
“Red.” Quinn sighs, and I can clearly hear the exhaustion in his voice, but I ignore him and push open my door before he can corner me and make me crack.
Finding the office, I barge through the front glass door, needing to get away from Quinn. But the pang of guilt as I step into the small room hits me straight in the guts, and I want to head back out the way I came.
Nothing in this cold, sterile, and unfriendly room resembles Night Cats. But I still can’t stop my heart from pounding out of my chest and my breaths from leaving me in loud, anxious pants.
