Page 29 of A Knotty Road Trip

“Yes, thank you… I’m sorry I never got your name last night.”

“Brandon. I’m the head of the TSA, but they are short staffed today due to the storm and holidays, so I’m stepping in. What can I help you with?”

Brandon was the nice man who helped us last night. He also was the one who Leon punched, and though he tried to hide it, I can see a shadow on his cheek.

“I’d really like to rent a car, or anything you have. I need to get to LA as soon as possible.” I instantly know he can’t help me when he sighs and gives me a frown.

“I would love to help you, but we are completely out of rentals. I can’t even suggest another place, because they are all booked too. I’m very sorry, miss. But please here is my card. Let me know if there is anything else you need, and your cancelled flight has been refunded as well.”

“Okay, thanks.” I give him a smile, then walk off a ways down the hall. The Christmas tree is still standing proudly with all its decorations on view. It really is a gorgeous tree. Santa isn’t here right now and that’s okay.

Honestly this airport seems vacant. A few skeleton workers, probably getting an extra bonus or overtime just for coming in. Or maybe they never left. The storm was really bad. I didn’t even check to see if the hotel had power restored.

Taking a seat on a bench by the tree, I turn my phone on and make the dreaded call. I should just return to the Academy. I never even wanted to go home. I don’t know what could be so important anyway.

It doesn’t take long for him to answer.

“You better be calling to tell me that you bailed Leon out of jail and are on your way as we speak,”he snaps and I cringe. My shoulders hunch and I try to make myself smaller.

“I can’t get a rental. They are all out of inventory. I think I should just go back to the Academy.”

“NO!”he shouts and I jump even though he’s thousands of miles away right now.“You will find a way to get here in the next four days. I don’t care if you have to hitchhike or go to a car dealership and lease something. Get home, Belle.”

My eyebrows raise, and my mouth opens. Me? A new car? That’s like a dream. I have never owned anything. I had to useeither the maids' vehicle or my sister, Kella’s after she inevitably smashed it.

“Okay.” He ends the call with a sigh, and I can’t help but feel he’s relieved. I hope I’m not walking into a trap.

BECKETT

I watch as Belle sneaks out of the hotel and sigh. I should have known she wouldn’t stay.

I thought she might have seen the flowers and waited longer than a few seconds before walking out the door.

I guess you could say I was testing her in a way and she failed. Just like they always do… Well besides the guys.

They have always stuck around for me, but everyone else leaves me in the end. I should be used to it by now.

Why did I think she would be different?

“She left, didn't she?” Tate mumbles into the back of my neck and I nod. Tears fill my eyes and my heart aches.

He squeezes me tighter and holds me as I take five minutes to be weak.

I wish I could be stronger. His equal, but he will always be the one to put my jagged, broken pieces back together.

“Do you regret not telling her?” he asks, pulling a way a little, so I can roll over and look him in the eye.

“No, I know this isn't how things normally go. I'm broken. I wanted her to fall for me without the bond, but instead I was an asshole, and in the end she decided I wasn't worth it.

Angel grunts from beside me and I look over my shoulder. His eyes are pinched, and he's frowning.

“Fuck it. Pack your shit and let's go get our omega.”

It doesn't take longfor us to have our things ready. Tate calls Ken for a ride, and he is thankfully still in New York. he tried to head toward LA, but the traffic made him return.

He will just have to drive us to LA. As we walk toward the door I pause next to the vase of roses.

My note hasn't been opened yet, so Belle must not have seen it.

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