Page 35 of Breathless
“I’ll see,” Rawlins said. “Give me your number.”
Swede did and they stowed their gear before leaving for the day. As Rawlins walked to his car he tried to dust himself off the best he could, not wanting to get his new car dirty. He took a quick detour into the main building, hoping if he visited the men’s room, he might be able to shake some of the dust off his clothes before getting in the car.
He went to the staff restroom where he could lock the door and strip off his clothes and shake them good before putting them back on. He also ran his fingers through his hair to get as much of the dust out of it and washed his face and beard as well as he could. By the time he emerged he looked much better. But he’d still have to toss his clothes in the wash with ones from the day before when he got home to have a clean set for work tomorrow. And grab a hot shower for sure. That was the only thing that would make him not feel like he was going to itch to death right now.
He also needed a breathing treatment. Two days in those ceilings and his lungs were protesting. He dug into his utility belt for his inhaler and shook it before putting it to his lips and pumping. He closed his eyes as he inhaled.
He hoped Taz was right and that the girls’ dorm was not as dusty because their ventilation system was must better. It should be with the building not being any older than it was.
Finally, he got into the F5, started the engine and turned on the AC to full blast to cool the car down as he headed toward the Interstate and Chaney. He hoped she had been able to sleep while he was gone and was feeling somewhat better than she had when he left. He remembered how sour his mom and sister could be during their monthly, so he didn’t know how Chaney might be with hers. He could walk into a shitstorm when hereturned. That on top of having just been stabbed. He really hoped he was prepared for that.
CHAPTER 9
Rawlins sighedwith relief when he walked in and found Chaney asleep on the sofa. She looked like an angel curled up on her left side with a sweet smile on face. He went upstairs to shower and change while she slept, hoping she’d be awake when he returned. He threw his laundry in the wash while he was up there.
When he came back downstairs, Chaney was sitting on the sofa, drinking water and watching the TV.
“I thought I heard movement upstairs,” she said.
“And you weren’t scared?” he said.
“No. The door was locked. You had the key,” she said. “Unless my parents sent Broderick over to pack my things and take me home…”
“Why would they do that?”
“They called after you left. I told them I’d taken a job and was supporting myself,” she said. “They didn’t take it too well. Especially my mother.”
“I bet,” he said, sitting on the sofa. “Why would you do that?”
“Because she called wanting my answer to their question that I hadn’t given,” Chaney said. “And well…” she shrugged. “I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.”
“You never cease to amaze me.”
“I wish I felt amazed by it. I’m more worried what they might do,” she said. “They might come out here.”
“Wouldn’t that be good? You were complaining they didn’t spend enough time with you after you were rescued,” he said.
She nodded. “I know. I know. But now I’m more worried what might happen if they learn the truth, that I don’t really have a paying job and that I can’t support myself like I claimed.”
“You will in a few days. Call it a future truth,” he suggested.
“I don’t think they’d go for that,” she replied, scooting closer to him. “You smell nice.”
“I just showered.”
“I know. But you still smell nice. You’re cleaned up like you’re going somewhere, are you?”
“We’ve been invited out to dinner if you feel up to it,” he said. “But we don’t have to go.”
Her brow arched and she studied him for a moment. “Who invited us?”
“The Montana Crew.”
“You want me to go out to dinner with four Brotherhood Protectors?” Chaney asked.
He shrugged. “I explained how you were recovering, so if you don’t feel up to it, they’ll understand.”
“I didn’t say I don’t, but just the thought of four muscle clad men around me drawing all that attention people might think I’m a celebrity or something.”
