Page 46 of Gin & Jewels
And I’d never see Brad again.
“Whose house is this?” I asked as we pulled up to a small, rundown, one-story house.
“A friend of mine.”
“I know that but who?”
“Jeff.”
“I didn’t know he moved here.”
“Well, he did, and he said we can stay here for a few weeks.”
“Does he know you’re on the run?”
“We’reon the run, and no. Just told him we were looking for a fresh start somewhere.”
I looked at the house again and hoped the inside was better than the outside. We grabbed our Walmart bags that had a few changes of clothes and toiletries in them, and walked up to the front door. Keith knocked, and the door opened.
“Keith!” Jeff boomed, and they shared a bro hug.
“Hey, man. Thanks for letting us crash.”
“Yeah, sure. No problem. Come in.”
“This is my sister, Cassie.” Keith hooked a thumb in my direction.
“Yeah, I remember you.” Jeff smiled, and so did I with a little wave. “So, my place is small, but you’re free to crash on my couch, and I have an air mattress I use for camping I can blow up.”
“That’s great. Thanks,” Keith replied, and we stepped into the house. It was small, and the living room and kitchen seemed to be one room, but everything appeared clean.
At least that was a plus.
I stared up at the ceiling, the greenish-blue glow from the clock on the microwave giving me a little light. I was on the couch, and Keith was out with Jeff at a bar or something. I wanted to run, to finally escape, but I had no money and nowhere to go, and it made me angry that Keith did all of this and was now out with his friend having a grand ol’ time while I was stuck alone in an unfamiliar house and town.
And I missed Brad.
During the long trip to Nashville, I came to the conclusion that he wasn’t using me for information. That would be too coincidental. So, while I laid on the couch thinking, I knew I needed to come up with a plan to get home. I could explain everything if the cops asked me questions, and I would tell them that I didn’t know where Keith was. I just needed money for a bus ticket and food to make the long trip back, but I didn’t have my wallet or my ID.
What if Brad didn’t even realize I was gone? He was an escort, and I was a twenty-two-year-old virgin who didn’t have a driver’s license, friends, or a social life. Why would he wantanythingwith me?
But that kiss …
I still felt his lips on mine. I wanted to get back to him and Vegas and see where our relationship would go afterthatkiss.
I didn’t sleep well. The couch was uncomfortable, and when Keith and Jeff came back, they were loud, waking me up and not caring that I was trying to sleep, and then my mind raced all night.
The next morning, I waited for Jeff or Keith to wake up. It felt odd being in a house of a stranger, more or less. The thought of making myself at home felt weird, even though we would be staying for a few weeks.
Finally, Jeff woke up and made his way to the kitchen. “Morning, Cassie.”
“Morning,” I replied from the couch. It wasn’t morning, but I went with it.
“Coffee?”
“Sure.” I got up and went to the small round table and waited for him to make a pot.
“Any plans for today?”
