Closing the door behind me with a soft click, I laid my keys and the card on the small entry-way table.
“Hmm. I don’t really have a place. I usually just stay with someone in the band. Figure it’s pointless to be paying for a place I’m rarely at.” As I passed the closed bathroom door, an image of the baggie of pills slammed into my head.
If I don’t get rid of them before Terri seesthem, she’ll assume the worst.I hesitated at the door, my hand on the knob while I watched Terri turn around, her gaze roving across the small room.
It wasn’t the most expensive place in Mesa Palms, but The Condor also wasn’t exactly the cheapest either.
“So you’re homeless?” Her brown eyes widened as she watched my face and propped a hand on her hip.
“What?” I stepped away from the door.Just have to make sure I go in there before she does.“No, I’m not homeless.”
“You don’t have a home.” She narrowed her stare. “Right?”
I shrugged and sauntered closer. “Well, when you say it like that—”
“Why, Paxton? What’s the real reason you don’t have a place of your own?” Removing the purse hanging from her shoulder, she laid it next to a lamp on the small desk in the corner.
I dropped my gaze from hers and sat on the bed, dragging my fingers across the fluffy white comforter, enjoying the cooling sensation against my fingertips while I stared at the floor.
The mattress dipped as she settled next to me. Only a few inches separated us.
She laid a hand over mine, the movement forcing me to look at her face.
In the bright light of the hotel room, I could see a few faint laugh lines at the corners of her eyes. Her high cheekbones were dusted with bronze and her lips carried a hint of gloss. Thick, soft lashes framed her expressive eyes.
I opened my mouth to answer her question but found I couldn’t speak.Whatisthe true reason I’ve never gotten a place?Ever since I graduated, I’d been content to crash wherever there was a bed, whether it be at Jay’s place, a motel, or another band member. I’d even stayed at Katrina’s once.
Worst mistake ever. Never again.
Terri cocked her head and pursed her lips. “It almost sounds like you’re punishing yourself, living just like you did when you were with your dad before he died.”
“No.” I straightened my spine. “I told you I don’t see the point of throwing away money.”
“Uh-huh.” She released my hand and held it out. “So where do you keep your things?”
I pointed to the large backpack in a corner. “All I need is what’s in there and my guitar.”
Her eyebrows knitted together. “You’re serious.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Of all the things I imagined talking about tonight, my living situation wasnotone of them.
Sighing, she shook her head. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.”Besides the strange tremors reverberating through my body.That was one little piece of info I kept to myself.
“Good.” She stood. “I need to use the bathroom.”
“Shit.” I shot up so fast I stumbled, catching myself against the wall.
She gave a loud laugh. “Easy there, Pax. I’m not leaving, just—”
“No, I need to shit.”Fuck.Why did I say that? I needed to hide those damn pills but now—thank you very much brain—she thinks I’m going to take a dump in this cloistered room.
“Should I leave for a little while, or go to the balcony?” Her eyes twinkled with amusement.
“No, sorry,” I mumbled as I passed her. “Probably just my stomach acting up. I…I won’t be long.”
“Take all the time you need.”
