Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Taken advantage of.
It makes me seethe, to think of it.
“Makes no difference to me,” I go on, trying not to go soft on him too quickly. “Whether you’re visiting here with some high school friends, or your parents, or a boyfriend who’s treating you wrong … or if you really are all alone, on the run from something you don’t feel like disclosing. All fine. Don’t need to tell me. But you don’t have to steal anything anymore. No one here deserves to be stolen from. We look out for our own. I’ll help you.”
“Our own …?” He snorts. “I’m not one of you.”
“You could be.”
His eyebrows pinch together cynically. Then he drops his gaze to the ground, and for a second, I swear all of his walls fall straight down, exposing the real him.
He’s scared. He’s alone. He needs protecting and being taken care of. He worries from meal to meal. He watches his back. He can’t sleep a full night.
I can protect him. I can take care of him. All I need is for him to see that.
“I can see it in your eyes,” I tell him. “You’re just … looking for a home. Maybe you’re already here.”
He doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t look up from the ground. He doesn’t even move.
I could be the one who’s full of delusions here. Some people, they don’t care how much niceness and kindness you exhibit; they will never trust you, like you, or change.
I know when enough is enough. “Alright. I’ll leave you be, then. The bar is busy anyway, and I kinda stranded my staff to come find you. But no worries. No one cares when I sacrifice my time for them. Have a lovely night out here, whoever you are.” I turn around and head away.
One and a half blocks later, I notice he’s following me.
I smirk and come to a stop, glancing over my shoulder. “Changed your mind?”
He frowns. “No.”
“You saying you want my help?”
“I’m not saying I do.”
“You’re not saying you don’t, either.”
He thrusts his hands into his pockets, annoyed.
I turn to face him completely. “Look, I’ve got a lot of hookups and people who owe me favors all over the island. It isn’t a problem. I could easily get you a free room at the Sunnyview up by the pier. Free breakfasts included. A bed. Shower. TV. Fluffy towels and pillows. That sound nice?”
He lifts his adorable eyes to mine and says nothing.
I take that as his way of saying yes. “Come with me. It’s up this street a few blocks.”
I take a sharp turn and make my way. He follows some distance behind me, understandably guarded. It’ll take a lot of time for him to trust me, but that’s okay; as long as he’s with me, he’s off the streets.
When we reach the Sunnyview, however, I’m less than happy with my buddy Taj’s reply at the front desk: “I’m so sorry, Coop, but I can’t swing anything this weekend. All of the rooms are booked. Even the economy ones.”
“Even the economy—?” I huff, frustrated. “What about the sister motel next door?”
“Same problem. We actually had to send our overflow to them. It’s packed with all the Pride stuff going on. Plus everyone here’s hooked up with tickets to the Hopewell Fair thanks to Marty. Can’t budge, no vacancies.” He pouts dramatically, looking as if he might break down into tears. He always gets overly upset when he can’t help me out.
I nod slowly and pat his shoulder. “It’s okay. No sweat. I can still hit up the Elysian.”
“Sure, but you’ll probably run into the same issue.” He notices my companion for the first time, and his whole face changes. “Oh … You’re entertaining someone tonight. I … I understand the urgency now. You need a room-room.”
I peer back at the kid—who returns a blank, uncertain expression—then snort at my friend, shaking my head. “No way, no, no, that’s not what this is.” I nearly laugh. “I’m just … helping out an acquaintance.”
“You sure?” Taj bites his lip, studying him. “He’s cute. I’ve never actually seen you with anyone, come to think of it. This is much more of an Adrian move, really.”
I pat Taj more vigorously. “Okay, thanks, appreciate it, gonna go try another hotel.”
“Good luck,” he says distractedly, staring at the kid.
We depart the Sunnyview and head on down the road, though I’ve got a lot less energy in my walk. I was almost certain I could’ve hooked him up at the Sunnyview, which always has at least one or two spare rooms for emergencies or unanticipated overflow. Hell, I’ve heard the owner even keeps a room set aside for “specific sexual interests” of his own, which I only know about because everyone tells me every damned thing that goes on around the island. Being the main focal point of all gossip around here has its perks.