“Sucks.” Lexi laughs, and I glare at her. “I took the last cup.” She raises it to her lips, and I can see her smile behind the rim.
Without asking, I start to disassemble the pot and open the cabinet above to find more coffee grounds because I can’t just stand here and watch as Lexi enjoys her cup.
“I’m so sorry, sir,” an older woman in a pink tracksuit says behind me. “Let me get that for you.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” I reply because I don’t have the luxury of being a cranky ass to the entire voting population of Illinois.
Lexi licks her lips and grips the coffee cup with both hands, resting it against her chest. “Where you headed next?”
I yawn, fighting off the drowsiness. “I’m not sure.” My voice is gravelly and about two octaves lower than usual. “You’d have to ask Carl.”
Carl appears out of nowhere like magic as soon as his name slips from my lips. “Did someone say my name?”
“Good morning, Carl.” Lexi smiles at him like a Cheshire cat. “I was just asking Jude where you’re headed next so we don’t have this issue two nights in a row.”
I’m leaning against the counter, trying to play it cool with my arms crossed in front of me. “What issue?” My eyebrows draw together.
Reagan wouldn’t tell Lexi about what happened last night.Would she?
Lexi smirks and shakes her head. “Being in the same city at the same time, Jude. I know you’re new, but it’s not preferable.”
“Lexi,” I say, tilting my head with a crooked smile. “I couldn’t have been in a better place last night.” Movement to my left catches my eye, and I turn to see Reagan standing in the doorway, frozen. “Feel free to follow me around the state. It could be fun.” The statement’s for her, but only she knows that.
Reagan’s body moves forward, jerking slightly, but she doesn’t step inside the room. “What could be fun?” She looks from Lexi to me with wide eyes.
I answer before she has a meltdown. I told her that last night would stay between us, and I plan to keep my word. “Working the same cities.”
“Oh,” she says and curses softly under her breath.
Lexi walks toward her and grabs Reagan’s arm. “You okay?”
Reagan smiles and waves Lexi off. “Just tired. I didn’t sleep well.”
“It seems to be an epidemic,” Lexi replies and glances in my direction. “Champ back there is a grumpy one today.”
Reagan’s eyes flicker to mine with a momentary smile. “Is there coffee?”
“Lexi got the last drop.”
“It’s almost done,” the innkeeper says, pulling off the lid and peering inside. “Sixty seconds.”
“Thank God,” Reagan groans and walks toward the counter, but she keeps her distance from me.
Lexi backs up a few steps and glances around the room. “I’m going to get us checked out so we can get on our way. Okay, Reagan?”
“Yeah,” Reagan says and nods without looking in Lexi’s direction.
“I’ll do the same, Jude. If that’s okay? I can stay if you don’t want to be alone—” He doesn’t finish the statement when I glare at him.
When the room clears and it’s only the two of us left, I slide my ass down the counter and stop right next to Reagan. She doesn’t move away, but she doesn’t look me in the eyes either. “Are you really okay?” I resist the urge to sweep the hair away from her face.
“I’m fine.” Her voice is deflated and soft.
“Be real with me, Reagan. What’s eating you? You don’t hide your emotions well.”
Her back straightens. “I surely don’t wear my emotions on my sleeve, Titan.”
“I didn’t sleep well last night either,” I offer to see if she’ll be more willing to talk.
