I ran my hands down my face, and I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to live with this wretched feeling if I couldn’t find her to apologize. I was sitting in the parking lot of Roadies’ because I hadn’t been able to find Fallon anywhere else. I had even driven all over town looking for Jacob, but when I had finally found him, he told me-in no uncertain terms-that he was going to mind his own business on this one.
Roadies’ didn’t have anyone registered under the name Fallon Reese, but if she was being truthful about everything, then I didn’t imagine she’d get a room under her real name. If she had been willing to let Karla talk her into handing everything she had over to a virtual stranger, my guess is she was using a fake I.D.
The neon lights to Pit Stop’s called to me in a way that only a man who has had a fucked-up day could appreciate a shitload of alcohol right now. I pulled away from Roadies’ motel office and found an empty space in between the motel rooms and the bar. Roadies’ and Pit Stop made a killing located on the highway, and travelers often extended their one-night stay into two. Brant was just that friendly.
I got out of my truck, locked it, and headed into the Pit for a beer.Probably some shots, too.If I couldn’t find Fallon, I needed to drown this remorse. I walked through the door, and the bar was laid out like most hold-in-the-wall drinking establishments. The bar was right in line with the front door and ran the length of the west wall while the east wall was lined with dart boards, a shuffleboard, and a couple of arcade games. The restrooms were in the back, and there was a jukebox and a couple of pool tables near the back entrance. It was dimly lit, and the ambiance matched my mood perfectly. I gave the room a quick, mildly curious glance as I walked towards the bar and that’s when I saw her.
Fallon was sitting at the end of the bar, a beer in hand, and a couple of empty shot glasses in front of her. My chest thumped with the idea of apologizing to a drunk Fallon because I couldn’t imagine this would go wellatall, but I wasn’t a coward. And frankly, I deserved whatever scene she might cause. I walked towards the empty barstool next to her and sat my ass down.
Without saying a word, Darren placed a cold Bud Light down in front of me and started a tab. It wasn’t until he went back to cleaning the shelves that I finally spoke. It was still early, so the bar was fairly empty, but I did my best to keep my voice low, so the entire bar couldn’t hear our business. “Look, Fall-”
She wasn’t in the mood to hear it. “Darren?” she called out as she stood from the barstool. “Thank you for everything.” I watched as she threw down a couple of twenties and I irrationally wondered what the fuck he helped her with to warrant that size a tip.
Fallon headed towards the door and I threw my own twenty down as a string of curse words left my mouth. “Fallon!” She ignored me and Darren’s eyebrows shot up when I spared him a quick glance as I ran after her.
Great.
Small town gossip.
I cleared the doorway, and whipping my head around, I saw the swish of a light green skirt round the corner of the building leading towards the motel. I ran after her not caring who could see. Making a fool of myself in front of whoever might see was the least I could do to make amends.
Luckily, I was fast enough to see which door was hers and when I got to her room, I pounded on the door like I had the right to. “Fallon!”
The door swung open and her face was pure incredulity. “Are you crazy?!” she screeched. “What is wrong with you?”
I know-super uncool-but I muscled my way past her and into her motel room. I turned to look at her. “Look-”
Fallon still had the door open and her face looked murderous. “Have you lost your fucking mind?!” she yelled. “Get out of my room!”
I crossed my arms over my chest in a show to let her know I wasn’t going anywhere. Well…unless someone called the cops on our argument. “I’m not going anywhere until we talk.”
She reared back at my audacity, shock on her beautiful face. “Are you high?”
I shook my head. “I’m not crazy. There’s nothing wrong with me, apart from some bad manners. I haven’t lost my mind. And, no, I’m not high,” I said, answering all her questions.
She finally shut the door, probably not wanting to invite anyone into our little drama just like I didn’t, but she cocked her head at me and said, “You must be so high that you don’t realize you’re high because why else would you believe that I’d want to talk to you?”
I sighed. “Look, I wanted to apolog-”
She let out a dark, tired laugh. “You can take your apology and shove it up your ass, Mr. Raynes,” she spat. “I give two fucks about your apology.” She flipped her hand in the air as if she were dismissing me. “Go apologize to Karla and Trevor. Don’t waste it on me because I don’t care to hear it.”
I stepped towards her and, instead of stepping back in trepidation, she drew herself up to her full height and stared me down.
I guess Fallon Reese was tired of running.
I was ready with my apology, but my mind detoured to something I couldn’t ignore. “It’s Xander,” I reminder her, ignoring her words.
A perfectly arched brow shot up. “I don’t care if it’s Jesus,” she replied coolly. “All I care about is you leaving me in peace.”
She didn’t want to hear an apology, but maybe she’d be willing to hear my offer. “Fallon, let me help you,” I said instead of saying sorry again.
She smirked, and it was ugly on someone so pretty. “I don’t need your help, Mr. Raynes,” she replied using my fucking last name again. “Like I told you before, this was all Karla’s idea. I can get through this without you or your help.”
Fuck, she was stubborn.
I stepped to her, so I was standing closer to her, but still respecting her space. “But you don’t have to,” I pointed out. “Just…just let me apologize and explain. Just hear me out.”
This time she crossed her arms over her chest-and because I’m an asshole, it was a fucking impressive chest-and eyed me. “Like I told you before,” she bit out, “I am not interested in your apology or explanations, Mr. Raynes. I-”
