Page 57

Story: Safe with Me

Walking into this place makes me really miss Joan’s Diner. Castle Diner is nice, but it’s not the same. It’s a lot bigger, more modern, and doesn’t have the same homey feeling as Joan’s.
I look around and find an empty booth. I slide into the black leather seat and place my hands on the stainless -teel table in front of me. This entire place is pretty much black and white with gray, not like Joan’s at all.
A server saunters up, smiling wide. “Hi there. You must be new in town. Never seen you around!” She has long brown hair, brown eyes, and she looks to be about eighteen-years-old.
“Yeah. Just, um, passing through.” I offer her a small smile back.
She tilts her head, “Oh? Where are you coming from?” Her pencil taps her pad of paper in her hand.
“Weston.” I look down at the table and try to control my emotions. Just saying the name makes me want to cry.
“Oh! Sheriff Holliday stops in here all the time to say hi. He’s usually patrolling around Brixton too. Small towns and all. I know his momma and daddy got a farm up there in Weston. Did you get to meet him? Nice man. Super cute.” She winks at me.
I feel my face turn hot, and I stammer, “Um, no. Never got the chance. I’m sure he’s a great sheriff. The town was a nice town, so it speaks volumes to their ability to keep it safe.”
“Yeah, it is! So, what can I get started for you?”
“Pancakes, side of bacon and a cup of coffee, please.” I smile at her and nod in thanks.
She leaves, and I stare out the window. I’m not really staring at anything, just trying to look like I don’t want to talk because I don’t.
I take out my phone and check out whether there are any nearby bus or train stations I can go to so I can get out of there. I finally find a bus station a couple towns over. But where should I go?
While I look at different states to get lost in, my server comes back with my pancakes.
“Here you go. So, how long are you staying in town?” she asks as she sets my plate down in front of me.
“Probably till tomorrow.”
“Where you headed to after this?” Her hand goes to her hip.
Shaking my head, I reply, “Um, no idea.”
“Hm. Okay. Well, enjoy your breakfast. Let me know if you need anything else.” She gives me a soft smile and turns on her heel to saunter over to another table that just sat down.
While I eat, I think back to how this was how it was supposed to be when I got to Weston. No one bothering me, no one to talk to, just me, myself, and I.
But that’s not what happened. The minute I got there, I was sucked into Ryker’s orbit. Like magnets, we were drawn together. He brought me out of my shell, allowed me to be myself. For a while, even protected me and trusted me.
I push my plate away and leave a twenty on the table. Scooting out of the booth, I head for the door and make my way down the street to the local general store I passed on the way here. I need get some provisions for the next couple of days at least. I hope to be out of here by tomorrow, but just in case I can’t, I need to have some things to get me by.
When I get back to the room, I place the water in the fridge and put the snacks on the counter. I check to time and see that it’s noon. Sighing, I pull down the covers on my bed and slide underneath.
Before long, my thoughts finally calm, and I fall asleep to dreams of what should have been. Ryker and me.
* * *
I awake to a knocking at my door. Opening my eyes, I stare at the door and then look at the time. It’s a little after five in the evening. Apparently, I needed the sleep. Which I did after the shitty sleep I got the night before.
Knock, knock, knock.
I slowly sit up and move the comforter off me.
Knock, knock, knock.
My eyes are glued on the door now. I quietly take a step towards it while trying to slow my breathing.
“Nicole, I know you’re in there. Open up, love.”