The rest of dinner goes by slowly. We don’t talk. We don’t say shit, and maybe it’s better that way.
When we finish, we pay and head for the door. I toss my bag over my shoulder and wince a little as we make our way to the hotel.
Jeremy pulls the key out and unlocks our door before ushering us inside. I drop my bag as River stands there wringing her hands together.
“Sit,” I tell her. She walks over and sits on the edge of the bed while I drag my shirt over my head. Jeremy walks over and looks at the marks developing on my body.
“He got you good,” he says softly.
“Yeah, but I still won.”
“That you did,” he laughs before heading into the bathroom.
“Not what you’re used to, huh?” I ask, looking around the room.
“No.”
“You can leave anytime,” I tell her. She nods her head but doesn’t make a move to stand up. I don’t know what her life was like, but judging by what she’s said, it wasn’t great. Then again, you would think anything would be better than this.
I walk over to the chair and drop down while I look at her.
“Why’d you do it?” I ask her.
“Do what?”
“Kiss me.”
“I … I don’t know,” she replies softly.
“You shouldn’t play games with a monster,” I warn her. She doesn’t know what to say, and that’s fine. I’m just warning her she won’t like the outcome of fucking with me. Nothing good comes from it.
“Do you like it?” she asks, catching me off guard.
“Fighting?” I ask. She nods. “It’s all I know how to do.”
“I doubt that.”
“Then you don’t know shit,” I hiss at her. I shove to my feet when Jeremy comes out of the bathroom and start stripping out of my clothes. I head into the bathroom and turn on the shower, stepping in and letting the water wash away the night.
I close my eyes and let the water hit my face, wondering what my sister might be doing. I miss her. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t, but I know that she’s better off there. I know she has a better life than living week to week on the streets, as I do. That doesn’t change the pain in my chest when I think about her.
I wash myself and climb out, drying off. I redress and walk into the room to find Jeremy already asleep in his bed and River on the floor.
“Get up,” I tell her. She stands to her feet as I pull the blankets back. I climb on the bed and lie down, motioning for her to get in. She’s hesitant. “Trust me. You don’t want to sleep on the floor here.”
“I can’t sleep with you,” she says. I shrug my shoulders and close my eyes, but then I feel the bed shift. I open my eyes and see her climbing in, scooting as close to the edge as she can. I smirk at the back of her head, but close my eyes to get some sleep.
I don’t know how long I’ve lain here, but I can’t fall asleep. I open my eyes and see River staring at me.
“You always watch people sleep?” I ask her.
“No.”
“Then why are you watching me?”
“I … I don’t know. Why are you letting me stay?” I sigh.
“I know what it’s like not to want to be somewhere. I’m not going to force that on anyone.”
