Page 49 of Drop Three

Hmm. I’m even more excited about a potential date with Briggs now.

All Bodhi did was confirm what I already knew—he’s a piece of stupid shit.

My room at the Motel 6 is ten times better than any home of his will ever be.

I had to get out of there.

The walls were closing in around me, and as annoyed as I was with Bodhi, I was slightly hurt that Tenley and Gus all but left me to fend for myself at Bodhi’s hands. I know they’re coming from a good place, but it was shitty to team up on me like they did.

I’m already dreading the conversation to come with Tenley over that. She’s one of my best friends, but that doesn’t make it right.

Thankfully, the buzz from my four whiskey sours is starting to diminish, likely due to the soul-crushing incident in the restaurant. However, I’m not confident I’m safe to drive, so I decide to hang by the curb outside and call an Uber.

There are streetlights illuminating every corner point of the walkway as people bar hop. This side of town is not known to be quiet and quaint. If you want to really experience Atlanta, visit downtown. I lean my tall frame against a brick wall at the corner of what looks to be an alleyway beside me. The alley is filled with those electric scooter rentals that transport you around town when you want to explore or need a lift.

I’ve always wanted to rent one. Not because I’m dying to see Atlanta more than I already have, but because it looks freeing. I’ve never seen someone riding one without a massive smile plastered across their face.

It feels like a must-do.

As I grab my phone from the pocket of my purse, my fingers catch on to the receipt Briggs gave me. I get a funny feeling in my stomach, I’m not quite sure if it’s butterflies, but it has me excited.

Hesitant and nervous, but excited.

It’s been a long time since Briggs and I have seen each other. He felt like a breath of fresh air and finally had my hurt heart excited about something. Little did I know he would want to date me.

But now the possibility of giving another man a chance thrills me.

I’ll always be cautious—given what happened in Fiji with Bodhi, for example.

I hold the crumbled receipt in front of me as a small smile takes over my face.

Crew Briggs: 555-618-9254

You’re more beautiful than I can remember, sailor.

“Navy.”

Shit. I crumble the receipt in my hand and quickly hold it behind my back before turning my body to find Bodhi standing outside the Boone exit doors, staring at me.

“What do you want, Bodhi?” I ask, crossing my arms at my chest.

I’m copping an attitude, and I don’t care. He deserves it. Bodhi wants me one minute, then wants me far away the next.

He gives me whiplash.

Bodhi stands at least fifteen feet away from me. Typically, I would shout to make sure he heard me loud enough, but I keep my tone light, not giving him the satisfaction of thinking I want to chat.

“You’re not going back to that motel,” he states as he moves closer to me. I slowly begin to inch backward, doing my best to get as far away from him as possible.

Except, it’s difficult, given where I am now—in an alley full of electric scooters.

My hands find my mouth in a cupping motion as I shout back at him, “Hey, Bodhi? Go fuck yourself.” If he wants to follow me out here, I’ll find somewhere else and call for a ride.

One minute, I’m turned around and briskly walking away from him. The next, I’m being catapulted in the air as strong arms wrap around my hips and shuttle me to the hidden corner of the brick alley.

My back finds the cold brick wall as Bodhi’s warm breath heats the side of my neck. “You stubborn woman,” he says. His woodsy scent and sultry voice shoot straight to my core.

Fuck, this feels familiar.

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