“I’ll be ready,” I whispered, staring across the room at my own reflection in the row of sink mirrors. I almost didn’t recognize myself.
Chapter 13
NOW
My body was hit with a tremor I hadn’t felt in ages. The pills rattled in my hands. Slowly, I sat the bottles down, one by one, on the marble countertop, the name of its owner blurring …
For a split second, I considered twisting the cap off one of the anti-anxiety medications and downing them all. Anything to get this old tremor to go away, anything to stop the horror erupting from under my skin.
But I don’t have time for that.
These prescriptions didn’t belong to Robin Regal. Which meant that either he didn’t really live here – could the address on his registration be wrong? – or that he had a roommate.
A roommate I knew all too well.
I have to get out of here. It isn’t safe …
And right on cue, I heard the dull thwack of a car door slamming. I bolted out of the bathroom and darted through the apartment. I stopped in front of the bedroom window, eyes desperately scanning below.
A dark black truck with tinted windows was parked behind the Camaro. I watched in horror as the headlights popped off and the engine stopped.
Someone climbed out of the driver’s seat. They were wearing a hood so dark I could barely see the outline of their face as they circled the Camaro, squatting down to look inside.
But I didn’t need to see.
I knew.
Still, there was a desperate part of me that hoped – prayed – that my fears would be unfounded.
It’s you. I know it is …
Chapter 14
BEFORE
I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, eyes unblinking, lips parted in a troubled O.
Is this really what I look like now?
My hair was disheveled, my makeup from last night smudged beneath my eyes like a football player gearing up to run on the field. I was wearing only a t-shirt – not my t-shirt, I noted – and my panties.
Where did I toss them when I yanked them off in excitement?
Turning the faucet on, I began scrubbing my face. Brushing my teeth. Trying to wash the feel of Max away …
He hadn’t been rough, per se. But something about fucking him, this random guy, this … stranger, made me feel dirty and used.
But you used him too, remember?
I dropped my toothbrush back into its holder and wiped the pasty residue from my mouth and chin.
I stared at my messy makeup and wild hair, my eyes wide. Then my face broke into a smile. I’d been another person in the bedroom, someone wild and free … The alcohol had helped loosen me up, but it was mostly me. As dirty as it felt, it kind of felt good, too.
Maybe part of it was knowing that I’d never see this handsome stranger again.
Truth was, I hadn’t actually thought Max would show. By the time he did, I was already buzzing from the nervous shots I’d taken, and unsure how to handle myself.
But Max had known what to do. He didn’t ask questions, or show me pictures of his kids or dogs; he didn’t blab about his latest ATV project … He grabbed me around the waist and went straight to work kissing and groping, wriggling me out of my jeans.
“The bedroom. Not here,” I’d panted, pulling him toward my room. Even though I was a little drunk and dizzy, I still knew I couldn’t sleep with this man in the middle of the living room.
What if Delaney suddenly decided to come home?
So, to the bedroom we went, and there we stayed until nearly one in the morning. When we finished, I was sweating and breathless, my body limp from exhaustion …
“That was fun, Amy.”
I’d giggled at the name, but I didn’t bother correcting him.
“Yeah it was, Mark,” I’d replied, trying to keep my face straight. If he’d heard me, he didn’t let on.
He was sitting on the end of my bed, his muscular back glistening with sweat. He stood up, stumbling around for his pants, and I watched him in amusement.
“Is it okay if I don’t stay the night? I have some shit to do tomorrow,” he said, buttoning his jeans. He retrieved a shiny black cell phone from his pocket, smiling a little as he swiped through his messages.
Another hook-up, perhaps? A few naughty messages from one of our fellow members on the dating site?
Either way, I didn’t care. I didn’t want him to stay the night, and frankly it was a relief to see him go.
“No problem. I have stuff to do, too.” I rolled over on my side, reaching for my own phone while he tugged on his socks and laced up his Nikes. Still naked, I could feel him staring at my backside.
“Thanks for having me.”
“Yeah, you too,” I yawned. “Do you mind letting yourself out? I’m sleepy.”
He smiled and raised one eyebrow in amusement.
“No probs. Well, I’ll talk to you again soon. Hopefully.”
“Yeah. Sure thing.”
I lay on my side, listening to his soft footsteps until I heard the front door close behind him.
It felt good, not caring if someone left me for once …
Now here I stood, staring at the stranger in the mirror before me. I felt slightly dirty and guilty, but then again, I really didn’t.
I’m a grown woman, and I’m single. I can do what I want.
I waltzed back to my room, then allowed myself to fall back on my cool bedsheets. I was tired, but I was also strangely wired, as though my body had come alive …
I texted Pam, giving her a few of the dirty details. Then I fell back to sleep, letting the heady smell of sex and sweat lull me away …
***
Sounds of a phone ringing jarred me out of bed. My fingers scrambled for it in the dark, but the place where I normally kept it on the nightstand was empty.
I struggled to open my eyes; they were clouded with sleep and my head was throbbing with pain. I’d gone back to sleep, but what time is it now?
The phone stopped ringing, then started again.
I forced myself to sit up, digging around in the covers until my fingers made contact with the plastic case.
“Hello?” my voice was raw and scratchy.
“Where are you?”
“Fuck!” It was then that I realized sunlight was seeping through my curtains, birds chirping outside. The only time I heard the birds or saw the early morning sun was on the weekends.
I’m late for work.
“Did you oversleep?” Pam asked, a flicker of amusement in her tone.
“Yeah. What time is it?”
“8:45.”
“Holy shit! Cover for me, okay? Tell Bruce I had a flat tire, or something …”
Pam lowered her voice. “He’s not even in yet. He had an early meeting at the Balt House. If you hurry up, he won’t even know.”
“Okay. Bye.” I hung up and leapt from the bed. In a frenzy, I shimmied into a black dress and heels.
Seeing myself in the mirror again, I remembered my strange encounter last night. Now, it felt like a dream, the details of my late-night escapade with Max fuzzy around the edges.
I quickly brushed my teeth and put on deodorant, but my hair … nothing could tame this mess.
I twisted it into a knot at the base of my skull, skipped makeup, and ran for the van.