I have to stop crying.
My tears were freefalling during the shared ride from New York which was extended by an agonizing hour and a half due to an accident on the road, causing the driver to cast worried glances my way every couple of miles. I was a mess while I filled out the details to secure my last-minute reservation at this fine establishment. My spirits were in the toilet as I trailed to my shoebox-size room like a wooden doll, guilt and embarrassment tying a chain around my legs, weighing them down with each step I took. And for the past two hours, I’ve been bawling my eyes out as I stare at the TV without knowing what movie is playing.
My soul aches at the mere thought of Kaz and I sink deeperinto my despair as the reality of my tragic situation slaps me across the face. Again.
An anguished cry tears through my chest and I bring my hand to my mouth to muffle it. For the next long heartbeat, I give in to my sorrow. After crying to the point of not having anything left, I sniffle and inhale a shaky breath.
I bring my hands to my temples. “Good God, it’s like someone is jack hammering my head.”
Unable to withstand the excruciating pain any longer, I climb out of bed, grab my handbag, and rummage through it until I find some ibuprofen.
With my shoulders slumped, I trail to the bathroom to grab some water.
A series of knocks stops me in my tracks.
My head snaps to the door.
Oh, so my neighbor’s aggression just went up a notch.
Another series of knocks ensues.
Slamming his fist against the wall isn’t enough?
Fuck him. The TV isn’t that loud.
The knocking turns to banging.
You picked the wrong day, asshole.I stomp toward the door and yank it open. “Listen—” Panic jostles in my stomach as shock bulldozes into my body. I blink, my mouth opening and closing like a fish. “Ka—Kaz?”
Ocean-blue eyes meet mine and narrow to slivers, as if the man I ran away from can see my internal scattered bruises. Alarm, then anger, strikes his handsome face.
My heart is beating so fast, I have to place a hand against my chest. Fresh tears blur my vision, as a ripple of shame hums through me. “How the hell did you find me?”
Clouds veil those eyes, turning them to stormy gray. “What the fuck are you doing in New Jersey?”
“You can’t answer my question with a question.”
He growls.
I flinch.
It’s as if this New Jersey dump just got invaded by a pissed off grizzly bear. When that growl was directed at my despicable ex, the sound was scary enough, but now that it’s directed at me, the threat causes my knees to wobble.
“You want a fucking answer?” His nostrils flare. “I’ll give you one, but not here.”
“Well, I’m going nowhere.” I lift my chin in defiance.
His brows pinch. “The fuck you aren’t.”
“Kaz, go home.”
He shakes his head. “Not without you, Harley.” His eyes lift over my head, scanning the room, horror shining in his eyes.
I sigh. “Please don’t make this more difficult?—”
“You either come with me, or I’ll carry you to the car.”
I scrunch my nose. “Car? What happened to your tank?”
