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“I got it covered, sugar.” I chuckle, pulling on my boxers and heading toward the door.
“I better call her back before she sends the National Guard after me,” I grumble, grabbing my pants off the ground and fishing out my cell phone. Taking a deep breath, I brace myself for my mother’s wrath as I hit the redial button.
“Where are you?”
“At a hotel in Chattanooga,” I respond, not feeling the need to give her any more information than necessary. “I checked the weather report before I left Birmingham, and it said something about rain rolling in. I decided to head to the next city and stop off the night. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck in a downpour.”
I wink at Marissa, causing her to giggle softly. I know I shouldn’t lie to my mother, but the alternative isn’t really an option. Not only would my mother be beyond excited that I’ve finally gotten my chance with Marissa, but that would also involve me telling Marissa who I am, and something tells me Marissa would not take that information well. I need to convince her that we have a chance to be together outside the bedroom before letting her know about our past together.
“Good idea.” My mom sighs loudly. “The last thing I want is for you to get into an accident because you were rushing home.”
“Sorry I didn’t call you, Momma. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
I should’ve known she was going to be worried about where I was. Marissa was right. She wasn’t too fond of the idea when I told her I was riding my motorcycle all the way to Magnolia. I’m sure her mind was racing with horrible scenarios of what could’ve possibly happened to me.
“I know you hate me checking up on you, but I was worried, since I hadn’t heard from you after you left Birmingham hours ago. I was expecting you’d be here by now.”
I glance down at my watch, my eyes widening. It seems time flies when you’re having fun.
“Shit. I’m sorry, Momma. I stopped at a bar to have a drink and relax. I completely lost track of time.”
Only part of that is true; I stopped and grabbed a drink, but I found a very different way to relax.
“I guess I can forgive you, but only if you’re here first thing in the morning.”
“I promise. I’ll be on my way as soon as I wake up.”
“Be careful and drive safe. I know you’ve been riding that awful death machine, and I do nothing but worry.”
“It’s not a death machine, Mom.” I chuckle, running my hands through my hair. My mom has given me a hard time ever since I purchased my Harley a few years ago.
“It is. Even your father agrees with me.” I can hear her sniffle softly.
“I know. I’ll call you in the morning and let you know when I’m leaving.”
“I love you, Finn.”
“I love you, Momma,” I say with a smile before ending the call and turning toward the bed, expecting to find Marissa waiting patiently for me to come back for round two, but I find her fast asleep. Her arms are curled tightly around the spare pillow, and a soft smile is on her face.
“I guess round two will have to wait until morning.” I chuckle before quickly stripping down to my boxers and climbing into bed. As I wrap my arms around Marissa and pull her close to me, my eyes close, and I release a contented sigh. It feels like I can breathe for the first time in years, and it’s all because of Marissa sleeping peacefully in my arms.
CHAPTERFIVE
MARISSA
Ipull the door to the hotel room open slightly and slip through before releasing the breath I was holding. My eyes flick back to Finn’s sleeping form, my body heating at the memory of the night we spent together before the cold light of day came peeking through the window.
“Sorry, Finn,” I whisper before pulling the door shut and heading toward my hotel room. I’m not sure if it’s a coincidence or another symbol of my horrible luck, but we’re staying at the same hotel. Another sign from the universe that leaving the bar with Finn and allowing him to have his wicked way with me was a terrible idea.
What was I thinking?
That’s it. I wasn’t thinking at all. I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts and feelings that I forgot that sleeping with Finn wasn’t an option. I wanted him the moment he sat down beside me at the bar. Getting hit on isn’t anything out of the ordinary for me. It happens frequently when I come into the bar, but Finn was different. He had trouble written all over him. I should’ve let him buy me a few shots, made some small talk, and then headed back to my hotel room alone. Instead, I did the exact opposite and found myself beneath him in bed, unable to think past the way his lips felt against mine. Everything else became background noise.
Sound familiar?
This is the same thing that happened with Campbell. I was so wrapped up in the perfect plan I had set up for our future that I never noticed he was unhappy, which drove him right into the arms of someone else.
Everyone has told me a million times that he made the choice to leave me and marry Emmeline, but I should’ve noticed he was miserable. My desire to make the perfect life for us overrode everything else. Now the only thing I have to show for it is a broken heart and a small apartment above the spa on Main Street, located almost directly between the station and my parents’ house.
