I sit up, pulling the covers over my chest to cover my naked body.
“Who are you?” I gasp as terror makes me unable to move another muscle.
I want to scream for help, or to scare off the intruder, but no sound comes out from my parched throat.
Last time I had sex my partner died. Maybe I’m the one who isn’t going to survive my second time.
I have no idea how much time passes. It might be a couple of seconds, or it might be a minute or two, but in the blink of an eye, the hooded intruder is no longer there.
For a second I think maybe it was just a dream, or a nightmare, and there was really no one in the room.
My mind is still foggy, and I rub my eyes trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep.
Maybe I thought I saw someone, but I wasn’t completely awake. The dreams that occur in the morning in that strange state that’s almost suspended between sleep and consciousness seem to be always more vivid than anything we dream when we’re asleep.
Even with the awareness that there isn’t anyone there, it takes me a while to gather the courage to get out of Colsen’s bed.
I find last night’s dress and put it on, scanning the floor for my panties.
They’re on the floor next to the full-length patio door that leads right onto the sand of the beach.
The door is slightly ajar. It isn’t enough for someone to walk through it, but I’m sure last night the door was closed. Did Colsen leave from there? It doesn’t make sense because he was going with Tucker.
With trembling hands, I open the door enough to look outside.
The sun is about to rise and the beach is still shrouded in semi-darkness; the eco-lights don’t offer a lot of light.
I use the flashlight in my phone to get more light, but there’s no one out there.
Just the sea and sand as far as the eye can see. I think I spotted some foot prints but the relentless breeze blows the powdery sand everywhere, changing the landscape from one second to the other.
I close the door, making sure I engage the lock, and wander into the living room of the empty apartment.
I find a can of a popular energy drink on the small dining table in the kitchen. There’s a sticky note attached to it.
Good morning, pretty girl.
I left you an energy drink on the counter. The fridge has an ice maker if you need it. Just in case you’re a coffee lover, I set up the Keurig with a pod of my favorite hazelnut latte. I didn’t brew it so you could have it hot if that’s your preference.
I’m leaving you my phone number. Please text me later so I can have yours. Don’t make me stalk you on social media (because I will if I don’t hear from you.)
Later, Colsen
P.S. It might be uncool, but I had a great time last night. I can’t wait to see you again soon.
His phone number is scribbled after the p.s..
I brew the coffee, more to kill time until it’s an acceptable time to text Jodie.
The next hour is spent saving dancing videos of a few famous professional cheerleading teams. It’s mostly football and basketball; there isn’t as much for NHL teams.
I would love to spend more time with Colsen, but Jodie and I need to be at the top of our game for tomorrow’s dance tryouts. It would make our stay in Star Cove a lot easier if we both got into training camp.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
TEAM SPIRIT
TARYN
