Page 61 of Durango

It’s sparse. Aside from the bed and two nightstands that are bare on top, there is one dresser. The floor is carpeted, and the room has one window. I peer out into a small courtyard. There’s a light illuminating part of it. It must be attached to this home.I’m not as familiar with row houses, but the house next door also has a small patch of grass outside the back door.

It’s so different from where I grew up. In Montana, everyone I knew had at least an acre or two of land. Well, except for the new people that moved to town once the big development was built. But even they had more space, and their houses didn’t share a wall.

Durango grew up with a lot of space around him, too, at his home back in Montana. I wonder if he misses that or if he prefers living in closer quarters here in Brooklyn.

The front door opens and closes, and I freeze. Could Tyler have found us?

Footsteps move to the kitchen, and there is a thud. A man coughs.

Slowly, I open the bedroom door and peek out. Samantha is already in the hallway holding a bat. She spots me, and I move behind her.

As we get closer to the kitchen, there is a sound of paper crinkling. Samantha jumps out and yells, “Don’t move!”

I step out next to her. Durango is sitting at the kitchen table with a burger halfway to his mouth, staring at us. “Durango?”

Samantha lowers the bat. “Wait, that’s not Tyler?”

Durango sets his burger down. “Tyler? You’re expecting your ex?”

His eyes move from Samantha to me. We’re both fully clothed, despite trying to sleep. We decided it would be best in case we had to jump up in the middle of the night.

“I can explain,” I say as I step forward. “First, I’m so happy you’re home.”

He doesn’t say a word, waiting for me to further explain.

I take a deep breath and dive in. “Tyler somehow found my number. He texted that he knows I’m living in Queens, so I’mpretty sure he has my address. We had to leave, and Piper told us we could stay here. I hope it’s okay.”

Durango stands and stalks toward me. I can’t read his expression. Then he wraps his arms around me and holds me tight.

“Yes, it’s okay. I’m glad you’re here. I didn’t realize your ex was trying to find you.”

Well, he wasn’t until I pissed him off, but I don’t need to unload everything on Durango at once.

“I just got back and am exhausted and hungry. My plan is to eat and then go to sleep.”

“That’s fine. Well, I was sleeping in your bed. I’ll just share a bed with Samantha.”

He steps back. “No, stay in my room. I want you close. I’ll be in as soon as I’m done here.” He returns to the table and his burger.

Samantha turns to me, smiling. “Okay, I think I’ll go back to bed. Have fun.” She pats my shoulder as she returns to Piper’s room, still carrying the bat.

Durango takes another bite of his burger. His shoulders are slumped, and his lids are heavy. He must be exhausted. I should give him space.

“I’m going to go back to bed. I’ll see you in a few.”

He nods.

I spin around and return to the bedroom. After climbing into bed, I realize I have no idea what side he prefers, so I simply settle in where I was before.

A moment later, he walks into the room and goes to the adjoining bathroom. A couple of minutes later, he comes out, strips down to his underwear, and climbs in next to me. He reaches over and pulls me up against him.

“I missed you,” he whispers against my shoulder.

In his arms, it’s the first time I truly feel safe since I received Tyler’s threat.

“I missed you, too.”

“We’ll talk about everything in the morning. Okay?”

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