To his credit, Ellis relents and instantly goes silent. He cocks his head to the side and smirks.
I turn away and quickly pull my phone out to call Heather up. As I’m waiting for her to answer, I sense Ellis’s stare on my back.
I know I’m being grumpy, even more so than usual, but I’ve been on edge since I saw him at last night’s game. I kept my trip to Buffalo on the downlow because I wanted to watch the Camrose Rams in action, and I wanted to gather my thoughts about some players without letting my coworkers know. The college hockey team’s having a breakout year and I wanted to see it for myself.
I didn’t know Ellis, apparently, had the same idea.
When we spotted each other at the game, my mood dropped drastically.
It’s okay, it’s okay… as soon as I get out of here, I won’t see him for at least a few weeks.
“Heather,” I say when she finally picks up. “Please tell me you were able to find me a room for tonight.”
Her voice comes out even more high-pitched than it usually is. “I was. I tried my best, and I did find you a room. It’s… it’s at the Hilton, actually, and it’s a great room. Gorgeous. You’re going to adore it.”
“And you sound panicked, because…?”
“Please don’t hate me for this.”
Anxiety creeps into my chest. “What is it, Heather?”
“It’s the only a-available room in the entire city. I told them, and all the other places in the vicinity, to call me if another one becomes available, b-but… oh God.”
“Heather, what is it? You’re freaking me out.”
She exhales slowly. “There was only one available room in the entire city,” Heather repeats, much more calmly. “And Ellis is also in the city. Listen, I know you two… don’t get along. I’ve never asked why, but it’s not a secret. But… you and Ellis are both the company’s responsibility, we can’t let one of you sleep in the airport and fend for yourselves, so, um…”
Oh, God.
Please.
My hackles rise. A sour sensation creeps up my throat. I’m a smart guy, and I’ve binge-watched enough movies to know where this is going.
Heather murmurs, “You and Ellis will have to share a room until another one becomes available.”
“…Fuck.”
“I’m so sorry. I tried my best, I really did, but thousands of people are stranded and…”
Slowly, I turn my head to where Ellis is still standing. I’m unable to hide the horror from my expression. Heather’s rambling becomes a faint noise in my ears. Everything else around us from angry passengers to crying toddlers lull to a silence. It’s my brain’s way of protecting me, I guess—it can’t take this goddamn news and has simply decided to stop functioning altogether.
Ellis smiles. Sweetly. “Guess Heather’s told you the exciting news, huh?
***
Despite it being so last minute, I’m glad Heather was able to find us a room, and at the Hilton no less. We were lucky a cab was able to take us here despite the raging weather, and Ellis is even luckier that I didn’t push him out of the vehicle because he wouldn’t stop yapping. His voice is a raspy, scratching soundthat makes my head ache. When I turn to him to glare, he only gives me a wide smile.
My eyebrows furrow at the way he’s got sweat on his forehead and how his hair’s damp and plastered to his neck. What the? Before I’m able to ask if he really is sick, the cab pulls into the driveway of the hotel, and Ellis quickly gets out.
“Please wait here,” I mumble when we get inside—mostly because he’s starting to stagger in his steps, and I’d rather not deal with him passing out.
He, of course, can’t follow a request to save his life and follows me to the massive check-in counter.
The woman in a pencil skirt manning the check-in counter gives both of us a once-over. And despite what Heather’s told me, I still want to try my luck, so I ask her, “Do you have a room for one?”
“Good evening! No, sorry. We’re fully booked. Unless you have a reservation, you’re out of luck.”
Behind me, Ellis lets out a soft huff of laughter.
