Page 151 of Ewan

“He was at your place.”

“He’s a student’s father,” I make up. “He thought I was in danger when you showed up.”

That’s not exactly accurate, but I rely on his lack of awareness and willingness to let this slide.

I try not to remind him how he behaved, and how arrogant and condescending he was toward me.

How he forgot his manners.

“Look,” I say. “I don’t know what’s going on in your life, and I’d rather not know. We’re no longer friends, or best buddies. You need to go home, or my neighbor will call the police.”

“I’ll wait for you. She can’t call the cops on me.”

I bite my lip, beyond annoyed.

My eyes flick to the entrance of the motel, and the door cracks open. I can’t tell whether it’s Ewan, but it might as well be him.

If he learns about this story, Joachim will have a bigger problem than not being able to talk to me.

“She can, and she will,” I say. “Besides, I’m not coming home tonight, so call a cab and go home. We can’t talk right now,” I say, rushing and hoping he gets the message.

A few moments pass as he struggles to process the information.

“Scarlett?”

“Go home, Joachim. It’s better that way. And do not come back, unless you talk to me first. You’re not safe there. Bye.”

The last words fly from my mouth as Ewan exits the motel and glances in my direction.

I don’t know if he saw me talk on the phone, but I slide my hand down like I never had it pressed to my ear and get ready to climb out.

He opens the door for me and holds it, a curious look on his face. Nothing can get past him.

“Is everything all right?” he asks, and something in his voice makes my hair stand on end.

“Yes. Everything is fine.”

My feet touch the ground before he clicks the key fob to lock his truck and shows me to our room.

31

EWAN

Something happenedin that car but I won’t dig into it right now.

I’ve been dying to put my hands on her, peel her clothes off, and feel her warm naked body against mine.

Even without me asking more questions, I notice the dark cloud hovering over her face.

So I’ll give it another try.

“Are you sure?” I ask.

“Yeah. Everything’s fine,” she says, dropping her backpack on a chair and looking around the room.

It’s an upgraded version of the motel room we used last night, and her face lights up a little.

Courteous, I help her take her jacket off before removing mine too.

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