Page 10 of Call It Unexpected

“Zach,” I groaned, arching into him.

He picked up the pace, and I wrapped my legs around his hips, urging him to go even faster, harder. His eyes, heavy and lust-filled, watched me until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. As my head pressed into the pillows, he slammed harder into me. The quivers rolled into passionate tremors as my body lost control once again.

“Fuck,” he choked against my lips as his body jerked, his muscles rippling beneath my fingers.

His mouth resumed gentle kisses as our bodies slowed their movements until he collapsed on top of me.

“You’re incredible.” His words were muffled against my shoulder. He took a nip, causing me to jump and him to grin as he shifted to lie beside me.

“I thinkyouwere the incredible one,” I answered, feeling the sudden urge to bury my head in his arm. I’d never lost control like that before. I didn’t know it was possible. Then I ruined the moment with a yawn.

Zach stood and walked to the bathroom and returned a few minutes later. He pulled me into his arms, kissed the side of my head, and whispered, “Sleep, sunshine.”

The mattress shifted as Zach carefully got out of bed. Confused, I started to sit up, but he hurried to my side and whispered for me to go back to sleep. I rolled over and stole his pillow, earning a quiet chuckle. Ignoring him, I buried my head into the downy softness and fell back asleep.

When I next opened my eyes, even the heavy drapery couldn’t contain the brightness sneaking around the edges. My eyes opened wider when I saw nine thirty-seven on the bedside alarm clock. When was the last time I’d slept so late? I rolled over to wish Zach a good morning and to tease him about wearing me out, but his side of the bed was cold.

Huh. I guessed he went to the small gym room to work out.

I decided to grab a shower, but when I came back out, the room was still quiet. I checked my phone for a message, but there was nothing new since yesterday.

That was odd. I sent Zach a message informing him I was up, but even after spending several minutes straightening the room and packing my things, and folding Zach’s clothes, there was no response. As I looked closer, it appeared my message was still attempting to send. Maybe Zach was having the same problem getting messages to me.

No longer able to ignore my growling stomach, I decided to head to the front desk to get some water bottles and inquire about breakfast. As I grabbed the key card, my phone rang, sounding more garbled than ever.

Finally!

But it wasn’t Zach’s name that appeared. It was Bristol’s.

“Hey! You couldn’t wait until I got home to get the dirty details?” I laughed as I walked down the hall to the elevator.

“Emalee.”

Something about my cousin’s voice had me stop in my tracks. “What? What’s wrong?”

There was a second’s hesitation, then she said, “It’s your mom. I’m so sorry, honey, but she’s in the hospital.”

“Wh…what? Oh, my god, is she okay?”

“I don’t know, sweetie. I’m already on my way to get you and drive you home.”

I ran back to our room. I dropped the card twice before I was able to hold it steady enough to unlock the door. My stomach churned as I only half heard Bristol’s voice, but I caught the words “gun” and “shooting.”

I grabbed my small suitcase and purse, praying my mom would be okay. God couldn’t take her, too.

Zach, where are you? Ineedyou!

The words were a litany on my tongue as I raced back to the elevator. Just as the doors opened, I heard a nearby room door open. Mindlessly, I looked over as I stepped into the waiting carriage, only to see Zach leave a room, minus his shirt. His hair was rumpled, like fingers had been running through it repeatedly.

A girl I remembered meeting last night, especially since she was constantly flirting with my date, stood in the doorway right behind him. She was dressed in nothing but a Theta Mu T-shirt. His back remained turned away from me, but it didn’t stop me from seeing her stretch up on her toes, lips pursed. It didn’t stop me from seeing him bend his head toward her just as the elevator doors closed.

And it didn’t stop the sinking feeling that I had been a fool.

I barely made it to the lobby before I threw up.

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