He narrows his eyes. “If you take too long I’m coming in to get you.”
“Okay, Dad.” I shake my head. “I’ll be right back.”
I head inside the structure. The foyer is soaked and dark, the air thick with wet ash, melted plastic, and scorched wood. Upstairs, the hallway is a mess of water, peeling wall paper, and debris. My door opens, and inside, my apartment is mostly intact. Hazy and reeking of smoke, but my things are there.
Coughing, I grab my duffel from the closet and pack quickly. Clothes that will need to be washed before I can wear them, and a few books. I find the photo album in the nightstand drawer and tuck it on top. I don’t allow myself to be bogged down with sentimentality, and I’m back outside in five minutes.
Liam is pacing by the SUV and he eyes the duffel slung on my shoulder. “Is that it or do you need me to help carry stuff down?”
“This is it.”
He frowns. “You travel light.”
“Yes, I do.” I’m trying really hard not to let my stress overwhelm me. “Chief will understand if I don’t finish the shift, right? I need to call around to see if I can get a motel room.”
“Jesus, Jude, of course he’ll understand.” He winces. “But I don’t think you’re going to be able to find a motel room. Not with the ski lodge open.”
“There’s got to be something. I’m not picky.”
He shakes his head. “If therewerespots, I guarantee they’ve already been snapped up while we were controlling the scene. Don’t forget, everyone here was displaced.”
I let out a harsh breath because I know he’s right. I’m royally fucked. “Well, I’ll… I’ll find something.”
He laughs, but it’s more of an exasperated sound than anything. “Jude, you’re not going to find anything in town.”
“Okay, well, I’m sure there’s something down the mountain.”
“What?” he bugs his eyes. “You can’t stay down in Silver Creek. That’s forty-five minutes each way ingoodweather. Over an hour in winter conditions. You can’t commute that every day twice a day.”
“Then I’ll sleep in my car for a night or two until something opens up.”
“You’ll freeze to death.”
I scowl. “I don’t have any other options, Liam.”
He steps closer. “You can stay with me. I have a spare room. It’s warm, it’s got a queen sized bed, and it’s only ten minutes from the station.”
My gut clenches. “What? No.”
“Why not?” He wrinkles his brow.
“I don’t want to impose,” I say gruffly. I can’t very well tell him the other reason; that I’m attracted to him and being around him more than I already am might be torture.
“You’re not imposing. I’m offering.”
“You barely know me, Liam.”
“Bullshit. I know you plenty.” He frowns. “That room just sits empty. Why wouldn’t you stay with me?” He jokingly sniffs under his arm. “Do I stink or something?”
I give a grudging smile. “No, you don’t stink. But I don’t think it’s a great idea to work together and live together. We’ll drive each other nuts.”
“No we won’t. We get along great.” He nudges my elbow, his dark gaze sincere. “Come on. Take the room, Jude. It’s temporary. Just until something opens up. It’s not safe to sleep in your car and it doesn’t make any sense for you to drive an hour each way when I have a perfectly good room that’s not being used.”
“Liam—”
“What’s the alternative? Give me one better option and I’ll drop it.”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes. I’m sure he’s correct. Every motel is full and every rental is taken. Even if I could find a motel room for the night, it wouldn’t be long term housing. Subzero temperatures in a car isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s dangerous. Commuting from the valley in winter on mountain roads is a risk I shouldn’t take twice daily. He’s right. I know he’s right. But it’s still too much to ask of someone I really don’t know that well.
