Page 11 of Point of Infinity
I walked back through the diner and out the front. Sliding the journal into the compartment beneath the seat, I climbed onto my bike. After one last look down the highway, I started the engine and pulled onto the road.
I went full throttle, hoping she hadn’t pulled off somewhere before I could catch up with her.
At the exit of the hotel off the highway I had mentioned, I spotted her van pulling into the parking lot. I followed her as she pulled around back, where some other vans and RVs were parked. She picked a corner next to the building, close enough to block off one side of her van from unexpected visitors. She was smart, and at least she had some sense of self-preservation. Although I wasn’t happy about her camping out in her van. She stepped out of the van with her backpack slung over her shoulder, then ducked between two fences into the pool area.
I drove around to the front and parked my bike. I grabbed the journal and my bag and walked into the lobby. It wasn’t late, but the place was empty except for a bored older woman behind the front desk scrolling through her phone. The place smelled clean and looked newish. She hopped off her stool when I approached.
“Welcome to the Happy Hotel. Checking in?”
“Yeah.” I grabbed my wallet and driver’s license. “Do you have a room available overlooking the back parking lot?”
“Sure.” She drew out the word but didn’t ask.
“Figured it would be quieter, away from the highway.” I shrugged. “I’m a light sleeper.”
It seemed to satisfy her.
“I’ll put you in 507. Farthest away from the highway.” She smiled up at me and handed me my key card. “Elevators are back there.” She pointed down a hallway.
“Thank you.” I eyed the sign that said pool. “Is there a locker room near the pool?”
“Yes, sir. With showers and towels.” She frowned. “But the pool closed at eight, though.”
I bet I’d find Becky in there. She was resourceful too.
“I’ll have to wait until tomorrow.” I nodded and made my way up to my room.
The door opened into a small hallway that led to a simple room. Again, the place seemed new, but they didn’t splurge onanything flashy. A bed, two nightstands. The most modern thing in the room was the flat-screen television on the wall, and a coffeemaker sat on top of the mini-refrigerator.
I dropped my stuff and went over to the window. I opened it and leaned out.
Perfect. I had an unobstructed view of Becky’s van from this angle. It gave me some sense of peace I could look out for her, even if it was from a distance. I spotted her shuffling back to her van in a pair of sweatpants and an oversized hoodie, with the hood covering her face. She hopped into the driver’s side door and then proceeded to cover her windows with a metallic covering. She was in for the night.
I needed a shower and some food but couldn’t pull my eyes away from her. I ordered room service and watched until my food arrived.
I ate my sandwich and flipped through her journal.
I felt a little guilty about going through her private stuff, but if it gave me more insight into who she was, it was all worth it. Besides, I wasn’t reading it. Just checking out the sketches. She had an eye for detail, like the wrinkles on the side of an older woman’s face or the highlights in the hair of a young boy. I fanned through a few pages and was about to put it away when I noticed the inside of the back cover. It was a logo drawn precisely as if she’d created it herself. The shaded skull with the infinity symbol in the shape of a snake weaved through the eyes. It had motion and a certain creepiness to it. I knew the drawing well. It was the same drawing on my cut.
I crossed the room to my jacket laid over a chair. I held it up and threw it flat on the bed. I grabbed the book.
Yep, exactly like the logo for the Infinity Kings. The club I had wanted to be a part of since I was five years old. Both Patrick and I were honorary kings before we could drive. Our formative years were spent at the clubhouse. By fifteen, we werealready prospects—a formality, really, since Patrick’s father ran the club and mine had once been president. At sixteen, we were full-fledged members. Being an Infinity King was my dream. I wanted to continue my father’s legacy. By the time I turned eighteen, I discovered that joining the Infinity King was the worst mistake of my life.
CHAPTER 4
BECKY (KENZIE)
Iwoke up to honking horns and revving car engines. The parking lot was open to anyone who wanted to camp out, but it wasn’t safe. I pulled my shade off the windows, happy to have made it another night.
I grabbed my pack from the front seat and dropped back onto the bed. Digging through it, I searched for my journal, checking every pocket.
“Oh no.”
I turned the backpack upside down, and its contents hit the floor of my van, but my journal was nowhere to be found.
I squeezed my eyes shut and took a couple of deep breaths. It must be back in my locker at the diner. I did not want to return to that hellhole, but my journal had my life in it. I shoved my stuff back in my bag and quickly pulled on a pair of jeans and my boots and climbed into the driver’s seat.
Shit, I had to pee.
