“Nah, c’mon. Help a fella out. See if she’s got a friend.” Figuring Rio wasn’t about to let it go, I shrugged.
“Sure. I’ll let you know, but don’t count on it.”
In my room, I texted Fallon to let him know I was coming over, then spoke to my parents.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Patrick. What a great game. They didn’t hit you too hard, did they?”
Even at my age, she was always worried about me taking care of myself. “Thanks, and yeah, don’t worry. I’m fine. We’re happy with the win. How’s Dad?”
“Good. Just finished cleaning up from dinner. Have you eaten yet?”
“Not yet. We just got back. I’m gonna get something now, so I wanted to check in with you first before I left.”
“That’s sweet. You have a nice dinner and say hi to Fallon. I hope you’re not working him too hard.”
With any luck, his magic mouth would be working on me in a matter of hours. “No, he’s good. I’d better go. I’ll call you in a few days. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I slid the phone into my pocket and hurried out of the room, hoping I wouldn’t meet anyone else to delay my escape. I caught sight of Milo and his wife in the restaurant, having a drink together, and a pang of longing hit me to be able to do the same—sit with the person I cared about and have a simple drink.
In the car, I checked my texts but didn’t see any response from Fallon. Probably sleeping. Preparing for our night together. I grinned, anticipation thrumming through my veins.
I entered the hotel, and several people recognized me. Of course I had to take pictures and sign autographs, which took close to half an hour, until I begged off.
“Guys, it’s been great, but I have to meet my assistant. Poor guy’s been waiting for me, and he’s gonna get on my case for making him wait. Take care.” I took the elevator up to Fallon’s suite and knocked. The door opened, and a woman about my mother’s age answered.
“May I help you?” She seemed confused and a bit wary.
“Uh, I thought this was someone else’s room. I’m sorry to have bothered you.”
“That’s all right. I just checked in. Perhaps they were here before me.”
I forced a smile. “Yeah. Thanks. I apologize.” She closed the door, and I checked my phone, which remained quiet. Worry trickled through me, and on the way down I sent Fallon another text.
Where are you? I’m at the hotel.
In the lobby again, I waited to speak to someone from reception. A clerk with the name tagGustavopinned to his navy-blue suit greeted me.
“Mr. Sloane, welcome. How can we help you?”
“I’m trying to locate my assistant, Fallon McKenzie. He was in room 1102, but I just went up, and a lady was in that room.”
“Let me check.” His fingers clicked over the keyboard. “Ah. Yes, I see that Mr. McKenzie checked out around nine o’clock last night.”
I blinked at him, uncertain I heard him correctly. “What? He checked out?”
“Yes, sir. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No, thanks.” A bit dazed at the news, I wandered away to sit on a chair. Fallon had left without telling me.What the fuck?I pulled out my phone, and this time I called him.
“Hi.” He sounded quiet and wary.
“Fal, what the hell is going on? Where are you?”
“Home.”
