His head spun instantly. His eyes bored into me. “Zoe…” His voice was intimidating, but I knew him better than that. Spencer didn’t scare me.
“Please, Spencer. I just want a hot shower and a sleep, and then I’m sure I’ll feel more like myself,” I pouted. I knew I was using everything that I had against him and I could tell he didn’t like it. Not one little bit. His grip on the steering wheel gave away his frustrations.
“I get it, Zoe. I really do. But for me, could you please just come back to my house? Just this once. I won’t force you to, I’d just feel much better knowing you weren’t on your own. At least not tonight. You can use my shower and get some sleep. That way I can be there if you need me.” Spencer was tense. It was emanating from his every pore. He turned the corner and headed towards the hotel.
I was so damn tired. It wasn’t worth the battle. At least not today. “Okay,” I conceded.
“Thank you,” he exhaled, turning at the next intersection towards his place. I watched as he relaxed and a calmness settled over him. Obviously I wasn’t the only one who was on edge.
I closed my eyes and settled back in my seat. It wasn’t comfortable but I didn’t care. I was safe. And warm. And I wasn’t in a damn hospital bed. The rest…well, I’d deal with that later. Maybe.
“We’re here,” Spencer’s voice shook me from my thoughts.
Without waiting, I climbed out of the car and hobbled towards the front door. It didn’t take very long for Spencer to be beside me. “Sorry about the mess…I wasn’t expecting company.” He shrugged.
“I’m not here to critique your housekeeping Spence…” I smiled at him, stepping into his lounge room.
“Come on. I’ll show you to the bathroom.” He grabbed my hand and half dragged me through the house.
A moment later I was standing beneath the scalding water letting it wash everything away. All the dirt, all the scrapes, all the thoughts circled the drain before vanishing from sight. It felt great. It felt like the world got lighter around me. Though it was draining at the same time. I knew I shouldn’t have but I couldn’t help it. I stayed in the shower, the room full of steam, until the water ran cold. Climbing out, I wrapped the clean towel Spencer had left for me around my body and wiped the thick coating of moisture from the mirror. Looking at the woman staring back at me, I barely recognised her. My wet hair hung lifelessly over my shoulders. It was my eyes I couldn’t place. They were dead. There was no sign of anything there. They were empty. Void of happiness. Unable to look for another moment, I pulled on my panties and a t-shirt Spencer had lent me and padded out of the bathroom.
“In here,” Spencer called.
Following his voice, I found him in his bedroom. He’d obviously been tidying up. Standing in the corner of the room, his arms full of what I assumed was dirty laundry, I noticed he’d taken the time to change. Dumping the pile of clothes on the floor, he pulled the heavy curtains closed before stepping up beside the bed.
“I just changed the sheets so there’s no need to worry. They’re clean,” he assured me as he folded back the comforter. “Come on, Zoe. Climb in. Time for you to get some rest.’
My heart was beating wildly. It was almost painful. I was alone. In his bedroom. In the dark. No one would hear me. No one would help me. Sucking in a deep breath, I grabbed at my ribs and held them as I exhaled. It took a moment, but in my head I started reassuring myself that it was only Spencer. It was Spencer’s room. Spencer’s bed. And Spencer wouldn’t ever hurt me.
Quickly I dashed across the room and slipped into the bed under the sheets. Spencer hadn’t lied. They were definitely clean sheets. There was something supremely satisfying and enticing about fresh laundered sheets. Spencer tucked me in and dropped a quick, feather light kiss on my forehead. “Sleep now, Zoe. I’ll just be in the other room if you need me.”
“Thanks for everything, Spencer. I owe you.” I yawned loudly.
“Nah. We’re good. Sleep!”
I watched as he scooped up the pile of laundry and strode purposefully out the room, leaving me alone in the darkness. I didn’t have time to think about it. My eyes were just too damn heavy. Within seconds I was asleep.
