Page 52

Yeah, time to get the fuck out of dodge.
Opening the door to the cab waiting outside, I throw my bag in and plop down on the backseat.
“We headed to Brixton, ma’am?” the cab driver, who is an older gentleman, asks.
“Yes, please. And if you know a good hotel or a place to stay, please just take me straight there. Thank you.” Leaning back, I stare out the window as we leave the ranch. Placing my hand over my heart, I push to try and dull the pain.
I close my eyes and rest my head against the window as we drive out of town. My headache is still beating my skull in. My mind is still trying to replay everything that happened. Nothing makes any sense.
Was this Mitch’s doing? The man has connections with government officials, so maybe he did something to my records. He’s put doubt in everyone I’ve run into in Weston, essentially tearing me from them and forcing me to run. But how? How would he have known Ryker would run DNA?Who the fuck am I?
The farther we get from Weston and Ryker, the more I hurt. Physically hurt. I sigh as I take in the view of the mountains around us as we drive. While we roll along, I spot cows in a field, and my heart twists in pain.Ryker, why can’t you just believe me?Well, because I lied to him from the get-go. From the moment I met him, I didn’t tell him who I was. Why would he believe me?
We pull up to a run-down motel, and I wipe the tears that slide down my face. This place looks a little rough around the edges, but these towns are older, so their buildings are too. The doors to all the rooms face the outside of the building. It’s not the best place to be right now, but it’ll do until I can think of a plan to escape out this state tomorrow.
I make my way into the lobby after paying the driver and wait for my turn.
“How are you doing ma’am?” a motel employee says as I walk in. He stands behind the counter in front of the computer, his hands folded in front of him. He looks a little disheveled, his shirt is dirty, and his hair is messy. I have to remind myself that this isn’t some five-star resort.
“I just need a room for the next couple of days, please.” I pull out cash from my bag as he stares at me without any emotion in his eyes.
“Uh, sure. So, what brings you here to Brixton?” the man asks in a monotone voice. According to his name tag, his name is Fred.
“Just traveling, Fred.” I nod and look around the lobby area. It’s small and dingy. There are brown spots on the ceiling tiles from water damage. The floor has bubbled up in the corners of the room. It doesn’t seem that this place has been cleaned in quite a while.
Fred hands me a room key and smiles. “Room 913.”
“Thanks.” I turn and walk away with my bag thrown over my shoulder.
When I open the door to my room, I crinkle my nose in disgust. This is place will have to do. The walls are a dingy beige, the television looks like it was from a decade ago, and God only knows who has slept in this bed. The carpet has dark stains on it, which I really hope is not blood, and the air smells stale. Yeah, I definitely need to get the hell out of dodge.
It’s only for a night or two.At least that’s what I’m telling myself.
With the covers still made, I sit on the bed. I lean back on the very flat pillows and run my hands over my face. Where the hell am I going to go? Maybe I should continue out to Seattle. That’s where I originally was headed. Maybe I can backtrack and head out to the mid-west. Or fuck it, maybe I will just head to Florida. Everyone seems to be headed there these days. Warm weather, beaches, and of course Disney World. Seems like a good place to live.
I exhale, closing my eyes and then opening them. Everything’s so fucked up. I still can’t believe Ryker’s accusing me of being someone I’m not. The man who was so kind to me, so protective of me, turned on me in the blink of an eye.
Ryker was so angry and hurt when he confronted me. But I’m even more angry and hurt. He promised he believed me. He promised he would protect me. The betrayal of his flip-flop is disgusting. What the hell was in that folder? I should have demanded to see what it was, to make him prove to me that somehow, I was this Allison Davis person.
I let out a growl in exasperation. I can’t think of this anymore. It’s tearing me apart. I plug in my cell phone and put my earbuds in. The first song that plays isAshes of Edenby Breaking Benjamin. Of course this is the song that plays. It’s fitting. It’s about losing someone, and I’ve lost the man who stole my heart. I hit the repeat on it and lay back down on the bed.
I let the tears burn me. I let them fall from my eyes, mourning the loss of Ryker and what we had. It’s all over.
Ryker’s gone.
I close my eyes and imagine Ryker holding me. His calloused hands lightly trailing along my skin. His soft lips kissing every inch of my body. His warm body lying next to mine. Eventually, the exhaustion from today’s events pull me deep into sleep.
* * *
I wake to a sudden bang. My body shoots up from the bed, and I look around at the dark room. I reach over to the nightstand and find the light before turning it on. Looking around, I realize the room is empty and that the noise didn’t come from in here. Quietly, I wait to see if I hear anymore. I only have to wait a few seconds when I hear the people next to me arguing loudly.
After a few more bangs against the wall and screaming matches, I relax knowing that’s what woke me. I rub my hands over my face and let out a sigh. Picking up my phone, I see I have no missed calls or texts.
Throwing the phone down on the bed, I get out and head over to the bathroom to start the shower. I turn around and look at myself through the dirty, cracked bathroom mirror. This is all quite fitting, actually. This is what I wanted from the get-go. To be alone.
And now I am.
I step into the shower and let the hot water cascade over me. When I woke up this morning, this wasn’t how I pictured today going. I tilt my face up and try to wash away the tears I’ve cried today. I have no shampoo or soap, so I just stand under the spray. I have nothing left. My heart is with Ryker; it’s all his.