Chapter Eleven
Blake
I pulled up in front of the hotel and waited for the valet to situate our bags and park the car. A hot wind blew off the Riverwalk. San Antonio. It had been awhile since I was here. I had tried to buy one of the hotels last year, but decided I wouldn’t get the return I wanted on a resale. Good move on my part. The hotel was poorly managed and in another six months, the owners would be desperate to sell again. It would be the perfect time for me to snag it at the lowest dollar.
Alyson’s hair whipped around her face. She squinted at the sun.
“What do you think?” I asked. “Good place to get over a sore throat?”
She grinned. “I think I could make a speedy recovery here.”
“Not too speedy.” I nodded at a few of the men walking past us. “We’re not headed back to South Padre until tomorrow afternoon.”
“Right this way, Mr. Davenport.” The bellhop waited for us next to the revolving door.
“They know who you are?” Alyson asked.
“I usually stay in the same places when I travel.”
She laughed. “And I thought you preached about being adventurous. Sounds like you are a creature of habit after all.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“Just observing.” She grinned as if she had discovered one of my little secrets.
I tried to defend myself. “This is where I do a lot of business. It makes sense to stay here.”
The lobby was filled with men like me, only significantly older. They wore dark suites, some of their jackets slung on the back of barstools. This is where business deals happened. Not in an attorney’s office or in a conference room. Deals over a glass of bourbon and a strong handshake usually made it to the end.
“Are there any women here?” Alyson’s head swiveled.
“I see the only one I want to see.”
“That’s not what I mean.” She was staring at the bar. “Do you ever negotiate with women?”
“I think you and I have made a pretty good deal.” I winked, pleased we had negotiated terms we both wanted.
She wacked me on the arm. “I’m serious. Where are the women in this place?”
“I’m sure they are shopping or at the spa.”
Her mouth dropped. “That is the most sexist thing I’ve heard. I’m talking about the women who should be here in this underground business world.”
“Sweetheart, there’s nothing underground about this. This is how deals are made. It’s completely out in the open.”
“Exactly. It’s a good ole’ boys club.”
“You’ve walked through this lobby for all of thirty seconds and you’ve already determined how it works?”
Her eyes flared. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
She had me. It was a good ole’ boys club. I hadn’t thought about it much. I didn’t care whom I did business with as long as the deal was solid and would make money. I realized looking around, Alyson probably wouldn’t see it that way. She was clearly outnumbered.
I saw the cigar smoke drifting from the brandy bar. I could hear the pats on the back. The deep chuckles between men. An occasional statistic thrown out about the local quarterback. I shook my head.
“You’re not wrong,” I admitted.
“As long as you see it.” She crossed her arms in frustration.
“I do now.”
The bellhop led us into the elevator and deposited us on the top floor outside of the executive suite. I opened the door for Alyson while he laid our bags out on the luggage racks.
“Is there anything else I can get for you, Mr. Davenport?”
“No, I think we’re good.” I handed him a folded twenty-dollar bill as he backed out of the room.
“This is beautiful.” Alyson looked out of the window, admiring the Riverwalk below us. “Wow. You can see everything from up here.” I was glad she had decided to drop the conversation we started in the lobby.
“It has a nice view.” I stood next to her, watching the tourists mill about while one of the river boats floated by.
“So much better than staring at the peeling paint in my tiny cubicle at the Record.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Can we take a boat ride?” she asked.
“Err…uhh, I’ve never done that here.”
She pinched her pouty lips together. “Never mind. It’s no big deal.”
I grabbed her hand, the spontaneity of her idea taking hold. “No, if the pretty girl wants to do all the touristy stuff, then we’re doing the touristy stuff. I promised you fun, right?”
I loved the smile that spread across her face. “Really? You don’t mind?”
“Depends. Are you going to want to see the Alamo next?” I joked.
“Only if you want to see it.”
I realized I might have awakened something in her. She suddenly looked much younger than twenty-four. Her eyes lit with excitement.
“Ok, the Alamo and a river boat, but then I get to choose the next spot. Got it?”
She nodded. “Deal. You get next pick.”
“Thanks.” I was starting to wonder if I had come out ahead or not.
She threw her phone in her bag. “Ready?”
“After you, Miss Covington.”
I held the door for her as we walked out of the room.
It wasn’t the afternoon I had planned, but seeing Alyson’s face every time we did something new made it worth it. I laughed when she realized the Alamo wasn’t nearly as big as she had envisioned, and I tried not to make fun when our gondola driver filled half the boat with water on every push with his paddle. Her shorts got soaked. These were the things she wanted to try. By the time we made it back to the suite I could see the fatigue setting in.
“Why don’t you take a nap before dinner?” I suggested. “Maybe dry off a little.”
“And what are you going to do?”
“I have calls to make. I need to check in with the Dallas office. Go. Sleep.”
She paused in the doorway, considering my directions. “Aren’t you going to sleep?”
“I’ll sleep tonight. Really. Go. I’ll wake you up before our reservation so you’ll have time to get ready.”
It wasn’t as if I was counting the hours since the morning, but my body responded to the idea of crawling back in bed with her. I gripped at my fists, feeling my hands react with burning to thoughts of her smooth skin. I had already let too many things slide today.
“Ok.” She closed the bedroom door and I sighed.
It might be the only way I’d get any work done—with a solid door between us.
I pulled out my phone to call the office.
***
The conference call ended earlier than I expected. The sun was setting over San Antonio. I tipped the door open. Alyson was sleeping like she did this morning. My heart raced, seeing her under the sheets.
I crossed the room. It was cool and dark. The drapes were pulled together.
I should let her sleep. I didn’t let her last night. But before I could turn back, her eyes opened. She looked at me and I froze. My feet rooted to the floor. My eyes unable to look away.
“Did I oversleep?” she asked.
“Not yet.”
“What time is it?” She began to sit upright.
My chest stirred when her shirt fell off her shoulder, exposing the tiny freckles on her skin. I approached, taking her in with each step toward the bed. My body was drawn to her. I knew it the first time I saw her. I knew it when she showed up at lunch and again last night when I caught her questioning Caleb. There was something about her that drove me crazy.
I maneuvered so I was on top of her. Each knee on either side of her hips, the bed sinking under my weight. She smiled. “How did your call with the office go?”
“I think we’re going to have to establish some guidelines.” I raked my lips against her mouth. I stifled a groan. I tasted the sun on her skin and wanted to drink in the rest of her.
Any thoughts of catching a quick nap disappeared. I wanted her.
“I thought we already did that. Fun, remember?” Her hands skated up my side, dragging my shirt over my head.
“The fun is understood.” I kissed her shoulder. “I need to know that everything between us is off the record.”
“You think I’m going to write about this?” She sounded offended.
“I need to know if you overhear something or see someone, you aren’t going to use the information. That’s all I’m asking.”
I sat on my heels so I could start on her panties. They were tight and cute—like the rest of her. She had slept in them. Her wet shorts were still drying from the gondola ride. God, she was killing me.
“Do you think that’s why I’m here? For the story?” She breathed deeply when I peeled them from her legs.
“No, but I want to make sure it’s part of our arrangement.” This was exactly why I stayed away from reporters, but damn if this one didn’t have me.
“And what if I say I can’t do that?” Her eyes said she was testing me. It was the part that drove me crazy the most. She didn’t back down.
Her hands trailed over my chest, dipping farther below my waist until my eyes closed. Her fingers wrapped around my cock. Her movements were designed to make me tremble. It was working.
“Then we might have a problem, Miss Covington.” I choked on the words. She was dangerously close to having this over before it even began. I rolled on my back, taking her with me.
She looked at me, her hair falling around my face.
“Everything is off the record?” she asked.
“Completely.” I gripped her hips, bringing her against my body, letting her feel what she was doing to me.
“And what happens when I get back to work and I have to follow up on the resort you’re building? You realize I’m still on the business beat.”
“I didn’t say you can’t do your job. You just can’t report anything you learn when we’re together.” I worked the silky tank off her arms and threw it on the floor. My fingers worked the clasp on her bra.
She gasped as her bare breasts rubbed against my chest.
“It’s going to be complicated. I don’t know if I can separate things like you do,” she whispered.
I gently tugged on the skin on her breast with my teeth, watching with hungry eyes as her nipple puckered. She leaned forward and my tongue lashed against it. I grinned when she sighed.
“Tell me now if you can’t do this.” I slid on my back, taking all of her in my mouth. She bowed under the pressure of my tongue. I stopped abruptly and moved to face her. “Because I can stop things.” I focused on her eyes. She was drowning in lust, her body writhing for more. I pulled her knees apart. I had no doubt how she’d answer.
“I don’t know that this is completely fair,” she whispered. “You’re the one with all the power.”
My hands dropped to the side, flattening on the sheet. “It looks like you’re the one on top, darlin’.”
Her teeth grazed the side of my ear. “This is all off the record?” she purred.
“All.”
She rocked over me, her dripping pussy gliding over my cock. Fuck. She was driving me wild. I wanted to slam inside her, feeling her velvety warmth envelop me.
I inhaled sharply when I felt her pull me inside. My hands gripped her hips, so I could drive deeper in her walls, but she quickly pushed them off, shaking her head.
“No,” she toyed. “My turn.”
“Is this your answer?” I groaned as she sank warmth and fire on me. We were both on the verge of diving into a place where words were useless.
Her mouth crushed against mine, and she murmured a yes.
I smiled, knowing these were my favorite kinds of negotiations.
***
I buttoned my shirt and waited for Alyson. It didn’t matter what girl I was with, the getting ready routine always seemed to be the same—it took an eternity. I could buy three companies by the time a woman was ready for dinner.
We had reservations at eight at a five-star restaurant a few blocks from the hotel on the Riverwalk. She didn’t need to know I was scouting one of the chefs for the resort. I found opportunities where I could. It wasn’t worth an overnight trip for two morning meetings alone. When Paul mentioned the chef had started at the restaurant, I knew it was another reason to make the drive.
I looked at my watch again. We were close to being late when I heard the sound of high heels behind me. I turned to see her emerge from the bedroom.
Her hair was long and loose over her shoulders. I liked it down. The green dress hugged her breasts, but the skirt bounced out, short and high on her thighs.
“Wow. You look beautiful.”
“I didn’t really pack for a fancy dinner. It’s just a sundress. You sure it’s ok?”
My eyes hadn’t moved past her legs and the heels. “You better watch out.”
“Why is that?”
“Because someone is going to snatch you up tonight.”
I liked how she blushed so easily when I flirted with her. It made her seem more innocent than I knew she was. There was nothing innocent about that girl.
“We better get going. I have a car waiting for us.” I turned for the door.
“But can’t we walk? I like the river.”
I took her hand and pulled her to the elevator. “We can walk after dinner. I don’t want to miss our reservation.”
“All right. This is your turn anyway.”
“Keeping score?”
She smiled. “Only if you are.”
Her hand slid into mine as we walked through the lobby. I saw how the men at the brandy bar looked at her when we walked by. I nodded at a few of them. Maybe I didn’t have the right to claim her, but in this moment she was mine. Completely mine.
The car waited for us by the curb, and I helped her into the backseat before jogging around to my side. It was only a two-minute ride to the restaurant, but it would have taken twenty along the Riverwalk, especially if she was planning on walking the entire way in those shoes.
“Something funny?” she asked.
“No.” I shook my head. I thought I had laughed to myself, but she heard me. “Just having a good time.” I squeezed her hand.
The car stopped, and I kissed her on the cheek before the door opened. I couldn’t help it. I wanted to touch her. Kiss her.
There was a crowd gathered in front of the restaurant. They were taking pictures next to the stone columns.
“I think it’s a rehearsal dinner,” she commented as we dodged the photographer.
“Maybe.” I pulled her with me into the coolness of the restaurant.
“Ah, Mr. Davenport we are so happy to have you join us tonight. When I saw your name on our reservation list, I chose a special table for you.” The restaurant matitre d’ motioned for us to follow him.
“Thank you.”
Alyson’s eyes grew wide. She tried to push the corners of her dress down.
“You didn’t tell me it was this fancy,” she whispered.
“This place?” I tried to play it off. “Basically a college bar.”
“It is not.”
Our table was next to the window. Like the suite, it offered a view of the Riverwalk, only more secluded and less busy. There weren’t as many people walking the boardwalk at this end.
Alyson’s expression had changed. She chewed her bottom lip. The one I knew tasted like sangria.
I hadn’t figured out how all of this was supposed to work. But I knew two things. The problem was those things were in complete conflict with each other. I needed to keep it casual. I had to. And damn it, I was undeniably attracted to her. More than I should be.
I scooted her chair forward.
“I didn’t realize you were such a gentleman,” she commented.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I settled into my seat across from her, accepting the wine list.
“I don’t know. I guess I haven’t spent enough time with millionaires. I didn’t think you would notice the-the—”
I chuckled to myself while she searched for the word.
“Details?” I offered.
“Yes. Exactly. The little things.”
“You see, Miss Covington, I always notice the details. It’s what makes me so successful, I believe.”
“That’s your big secret to success?”
I laughed. “You could say that. And never give the competition any ammunition. Two rules I always live by.”
“I think you forgot one.”
“What’s that?”
“Stay away from the press,” she added.
I winked. I liked her sense of humor. She was a sexy smartass.
“I thought that was a given.”
“Touché.” She lowered her eyes to the menu. “What do you recommend here?” She had placed her napkin across her lap, covering her knees.
“Why don’t we try one of the specials? I think the filet sounds tempting.” It was how I always judged a chef. The specials would be this man’s signature.
“All right.” Her eyes scanned the page. She leaned closer and whispered, “but where are the prices?”
I spoke low. “There aren’t any. Order whatever you like.”
I dated different of types of women. Some came from families with money. Not my kind of money. The kind that was so much a part of their genetic code I knew they bled green. Those women were hard to please. Then there were they type who knew what was in my bank account and couldn’t wait to add it to theirs. They were easy to please, but I knew their game. They liked restaurants like this one.
And now I faced a woman like Alyson. She didn’t fit into either category. She didn’t seem to care about the money. If I was honest, I thought it made her a little uncomfortable. I looked around the restaurant. Everyone talked in hushed tones. There was candlelight. The waiters wore gloves.
The matitre d’ was planted near the mahogany pillar, stealing glances at us. Anxious for me to approve of the wine and the menu.
Alyson’s brows were almost knitted together in concentration.
“What do you say we get out of here?” I pushed back from my chair. Suddenly, I realized this didn’t fit into my definition of fun. Not with her.
“But we haven’t even ordered,” she protested.
I stood next to her, offering my hand. “Come on. I’ve got an idea.”
I could tell she was trying to hide a smile, but her eyes gave her away. “Ok. Where are we going?”
I tucked her hand in mine and led her through the restaurant. “I spotted a place I think you’ll like.”
She paused. “This is your dinner, though. I agreed. After all, you survived the Alamo today.”
“And I want to take you somewhere else.” My voice was firm.
“Mr. Davenport, is something wrong?” The matitre d’ met us at the door.
“No, something has come up.”
He looked disappointed. “I’m sorry to hear that sir. Please call us again. We would love to have you dine with us.”
“I’ll do that.” I nodded at the man. He was clearly distraught we were leaving.
Alyson’s hand was soft against my palm. We turned the corner and took the brick steps that led to the terrace below. I walked slowly, making sure she had her footing. I opened the iron gate, leading to the boardwalk. Lights floated above us, tied between trees and awnings. One of the gondola drivers was singing in the distance. I wondered if it was the same one we had this afternoon.
“I don’t think they were very happy we left.” She giggled.
“No, probably not. But I think they’ll manage without us.”
We stopped in front of one of the cantinas. I looked at the sign and then at Alyson.
“What about this place?” I asked.
A woman greeted us on the patio. “Table for two?” she asked.
Alyson nodded. “Yes.”
We sat close to the sidewalk. The tables were strewn in no particular pattern. It looked as if they moved throughout the day, and at the end of the night the staff would put them back together.
The woman returned with menus. “Can I get drinks for you?”
“A pitcher of margaritas,” I instructed.
“Isn’t that how we got in trouble last night?” Alyson giggled.
“Exactly what I was thinking.”
I saw her blush. I knew exactly how it sounded and it had the effect I wanted. It wasn’t often I met someone who had the same sexual appetite I had. But I might have met my match. She liked to play. She liked to argue. But God, what she did in bed blew my mind. As soon as we were done, I was ready to take her again.
“Thinking about something serious?” she asked.
“Sorry.” I focused on her. “So, tell me, Miss Covington, why did you want to be a journalist?”
“That’s kind of a heavy question.”
“Is it?”
She began to fray the edge of her napkin. Little shredded pieces drifted through the slats in the iron table. I thought I might have touched on something.
“Have you told me all the real reasons why you decided to get into development and acquisitions?” Her head tilted to the side.
“You had your chance to ask questions,” I reminded her.
“I did. But did I really get all the answers?”
“Your boss was happy with the story wasn’t she?”
“That’s not the same thing.” Her hazel eyes gleamed.
I sat back as the pitcher and glasses arrived. “Are you two ready to order?” the server asked.
“Not quite.” I smiled, wanting to be alone with Alyson.
“Ok, I’ll give you a few more minutes.” She hurried into the restaurant. There were a few tables she was tending inside, but we were the only ones sitting on the patio.
I grabbed the handle and poured the lime mixture into the glasses. “Try this. I bet these will be the best margaritas on the Riverwalk.”
“How do you do that?”
“Do what?” I tasted the drink, brimming with strong tequila.
“Change the subject like we weren’t talking about something important and make it seem completely natural.”
“Maybe in order to keep our arrangement we’re going to need to respect that some topics might be off limits,” I suggested.
She frowned. “Off limits?”
“Yes. With your curiosity I suppose that’s going to be difficult for you.”
She shook her head. “No, maybe it’s for the best. We’re keeping things light, right?”
“Very.”
The waitress returned and we ordered a heaping plate of nachos, tacos, and an extra bowl of guacamole.
“Do you think you’ll be able to walk back in those things?” I pointed to her shoes when dinner was over.
“Yes, I want to walk. It’s completely different down here at night.”
“What do you mean?”
“It sounds silly, but it’s more magical. The lights and the music. It feels different than it did today.”
She was right, I had noticed how the air had changed since we left the restaurant. The stuffiness was gone. The pretentiousness of the priceless menus. The perfect dripless tapered candles. All of that was staged elegance and romance.
The jars that flickered with lobbed over candles. Colored lights that hung on whatever hook was in the path. Music that came from the radio. It was real here.
We strolled in the direction of the hotel, stopping along the way to watch the boats pass under a bridge.
“I’ve never seen San Antonio like this.” My fingertips stroked her shoulder. I had almost memorized the freckles on her skin here.
“Why not?” She studied my face.
I turned her, so her back was pressed against the stone railing of the bridge. The tree branches barely stretched out this far.
“I’ve been asking myself that all night.”
“Maybe you work too much,” she scolded.
“Now you sound like Lea.”
“I think she’s right.” Her hand snaked around my neck, and my breath almost stopped.
I leaned into her, aware that I was getting ready to kiss her. I didn’t give a damn about the street cleaner or the couple strolling behind us. I saw her lips and wanted to feel the firmness of her mouth, taste the margarita on her tongue.
I bent toward her. She tilted her chin and for a second I felt like I was tumbling off the bridge. Her mouth was sweet and warm. My hands circled her back, pressing her against me. She aligned her body, fitting her curves into the open spaces against me. I wanted her. She started to purr and I knew I had to get her back upstairs.
“Come on.” I tucked my hand around her waist, walking next to her.
“It’s really beautiful down here.” She stopped in front of the gate that took us through a private courtyard and into the side lobby entrance of the hotel.
“If I haven’t said it enough, I think you’re beautiful.”
“You might have mentioned it.” She smiled softly.
“I’m probably going to mention it again.” I unlocked the gate, and offered her my hand. The steps were uneven and some were covered in moss.
“I wish I could rewrite my feature article on you.”
“What do you think you left out?” I pulled her into the shadows of the courtyard. As much as I wanted to get to the suite, my need for her was strong now. I cradled her face between my hands.
“I left out the charming part. And the gentleman part. And then there’s the thoughtful part. I need to rewrite the whole thing. There’s more to you than demolition.”
I smirked. “I don’t think I want people to know that. You’re going to make me sound like a philanthropist or something awful.”
I could smell her perfume when the wind picked up her hair. I guided her into a corner where two crumbling walls came together. The branches of an old oak bowed over our heads.
“Afraid your competitors will think that’s weak?” she taunted.
She was driving me wild. Stalling, talking, pressing her hands against my chest, then backing inches away.
We were completely covered in the darkness. The fading sounds of the Riverwalk behind us. “No.” I buried my head in the curve of her neck, blistering rough kisses along her throat. “I take what I want.”
She kicked her head back, and a soft moan slipped through her lips. My hand was under her skirt, rubbing between her legs, feeling the heat from the motion.
“You have to stop,” she breathed.
“Why? No one can see us.” I moved the lace fabric out of my way. My fingers sank into her, and she groaned.
She panted harder as I pushed against her. I kissed her, knowing things were getting out of control.
“Please, Blake.”
“We’re the only ones here.” I looked over my shoulder. The gate was closed. No one used this courtyard.
I moved my hands reluctant to stop, when suddenly her hand landed on mine.
“That’s not what I meant,” she whispered. “I don’t want you to stop.”
My chest tightened. I felt her fingers twine between mine as she moved my hand where she wanted it under the cover of her dress. I nestled my nose in the curve of her neck, listening to her breathing change over to quick pants. She moaned my name as my fingers moved faster, spreading wider, finding ways to take her to the edge. Her hands locked around my neck and a long moan escaped her lips.
Her pussy was swollen and ready for me. I unzipped my pants enough to free my cock.
She pressed her forehead against mine. I felt the dewy perspiration of her skin. Her leg wrapped against my waist as I nestled my cock into her slick heat.
“Fuck, baby,” I growled.
“I want you,” she begged. “Please.”
It was reckless, but I needed her too. I thrust into her with a powerful groan.
Her back was against the wall as I fucked her. Each of climbing the other for our silent release in the shadows. She mewed as her orgasm began to hit her. It was the sexiest thing I’d heard and I couldn’t hold back.
“Fuck, Aly.” I unloaded everything I had as I sank into her, letting my release spill deep inside her. Taking her with another grunt before I was spent.
We were both breathless.
She looked at me as I planted a kiss on her perfect lips. I didn’t want my cock to slide out of her, but the longer we stayed like this, the more we risked being discovered.
“I guess I should get you upstairs.” I grinned.
She nodded.
I helped straightened her skirt. We both took a breath, before walking into the lobby.
As we rode the elevator to the suite, my hand rested on her lower back. I could feel the heat of her skin through the sundress. I had no intention of her wearing it past the living room. My cock only needed a minute before he would be full-strength again.
She stood next to me, while I grabbed the key card from my wallet. The tequila making both of us feel relaxed and eager. Her fingers ran along my arm, I couldn’t get the door opened fast enough.
I pushed on it, drawing her with me into the dark room. My hands ran through her hair. Her mouth was on mine. Hot and fierce. One of my hands trailed along her shoulder, down her chest, cupping her breast. I squeezed until I heard her groan. Her tongue lashed wildly.
As I reached for the zipper on the dress, her phone began to ring. She paused for a second, but ignored it.
“Probably a pocket dial or something,” she breathed. Her fingers began to work the buttons on my shirt.
The ringing started again, and her eyes flashed to mine. “Sorry, I better check it.”
“No problem.” I sat on the couch, while she dug through her purse looking for the phone.
Before I knew what was happening, she answered, walked into the bedroom, and closed the door.
I waited. A few minutes passed, and I walked into the kitchen and poured a glass of water from one of the bottles on the counter. The hotel had delivered a fully stocked basket of snacks and drinks. I could hear her voice, muffled by the door. I sat the empty glass on the bar and stood in front of the door. She was still talking.
I took a pack of cookies and sat on the couch, flipping on the TV. It was instinct. I always searched for the business channel. I didn’t register the stock report when the numbers scrolled across the bottom of the screen, my attention was on the bedroom door.
This was damn ridiculous. We had been in the middle of something I didn’t think needed to be interrupted. I turned off the TV and walked to the bedroom.
“Alyson?” I tapped on the door. When she didn’t answer, I opened it. “Aly?”
She was sitting in the center of the bed, her legs pulled up to her chest, the dress crumpled at her hips. The phone was still in her hand.
“Everything ok?” I was afraid to ask.
“I just need a minute.”
I sat next to her. “You’ve been here for half an hour. Have you been on the phone the whole time?”
“No,” she whispered.
I took the phone from her hand and laid it on the bedside table. “What’s going on?”
She shook her head. “I-I just need a second. I’ll be back out.”
I saw the forced smile on her face. Damn it. Part of me wanted to walk out of the room and pretend she could pull herself together and we’d start off where we left things when the phone rang. Then the other part of me looked at her. Mascara smudged, eyes red, and I knew spending the night with me was the last thing on her mind.
I kicked off my shoes, and laid down next to her. At first she was reluctant to move, but I managed to pull her against my chest. Her head rested over my heart. I ran my fingers through her hair. I didn’t know if I should try to get her to talk, or wait for her to say something.
“Did you get some bad news?” I asked.
She was silent. I don’t know how many minutes ticked by before she finally spoke.
“It’s my sister.” Her voice was almost too quiet to hear.
“Did something happen?” I didn’t expect it, but there was a knot in my stomach. A sense of dread moved in. I stopped playing with her hair and my hand pressed deeply against her hip.
“Yes and no,” she answered.
I was out of my element. I kept my mouth shut while she talked.
“Something happened to my sister.”
“Is she ok?”
“It’s been almost five years since she’s been gone.” Alyson talked slowly. Slower than I had ever heard her.
I had no idea what to say. There was a lump in my throat. “Did she? Is she?”
“She’s not dead,” she stated.
“Oh.” I was confused.
“She ran away. I haven’t seen her in five years. Or my niece.” She straightened her back, until she was sitting up, looking at me. “She’s in hiding.”
“Darlin’, I’m not following.”
Alyson sighed. “It started when I was in high school. She’s older than me. She was dating this guy. Not a good guy. We thought he was hanging around with a bad crowd, you know? Making bad choices. Doing stupid stuff. But Kendal couldn’t see it. She thought he was going through some things and he would change. But he didn’t. He got more involved, and it made him unpredictable. Angry.”
“What was he doing?”
“He worked at the train station, at the ticket booth.”
“Well, that sounds legit.”
Her head turned, so her eyes were locked on mine. “It wasn’t. He used it as a way to sell stolen merchandise. Eventually, it led to drugs. At least that’s what we think.”
“I’ll stop asking questions. You tell me what happened.”
“Anyway, Brian was running this side business, and it was taking over his life. Then Kendal found out she was pregnant. She swore he would marry her and they would raise the baby together and everything would work out.” She closed her eyes.
“What happened?”
“He blamed her for getting pregnant and told her she did it to get money from him. She was devastated. She ended up moving back in with my parents. It was my senior year of high school. She had the baby at Christmas. A little girl she named Cami. That was the picture you saw on my dresser.”
I remembered how she had quickly yanked it from my hand.
“Anyway, it seemed like she and Brian were finished. He didn’t even come to the hospital when she had the baby. We all thought it was over. But then he started showing up again, and he was threatening Kendal. He said she owed him money. He threatened her saying he would get the money from her.”
“What about your parents? Did they get involved?” I could feel my pulse starting to pick up.
“Yes. My dad called the police. He confronted Brian. They filed a restraining order. They did everything they could legally do. But Brian seemed to find a way to Kendal, if she was at the park with the baby, or if they were at the mall. It didn’t matter—he was watching her constantly. Until one day, she came home.”
Alyson stopped. Her eyes fell. I couldn’t tell if she was going to keep going.
“She came home, and her clothes were ripped, she was crying. She had a black eye and a cut on her arm. He had attacked her when she was leaving work. He said it would be worse the next time if she didn’t pay him.”
“God. What did the police do?”
Alyson shook her head. “Nothing. The next morning she and the baby were gone. They left in the middle of the night. We never heard her leave.”
“She took off?” I asked.
“Yes. She left a letter saying it wasn’t safe for anyone. She took Cami and started over somewhere Brian couldn’t find them.”
I sat forward. “Tell me the guy went to jail.”
“No. Without Kendal to press charges for the assault there wasn’t much they could do.”
“That is insane. The guy should be behind bars.” I felt the heat rising in my neck.
“My parents tried. They filed harassment charges. He was out of jail after thirty days. Nothing seemed to stick. It didn’t help that Kendal disappeared. She wasn’t there to testify against him.”
“But where is she now?” I needed to know.
“I don’t know. She called my parents tonight. That was what the phone call was about. My mom wanted to let me know.”
“Do you ever talk to her?”
“Sometimes. She uses disposable phones. I don’t get to call her. It’s whenever she wants to check in.”
I could hear it. The anger in her voice. The resentment. The hurt and confusion all of this had caused.
“When is the last time you two talked?”
“Almost three months ago.”
“I don’t really know what to say.” I was dumbstruck. How was this beautiful, driven girl carrying this secret with her?
“There isn’t anything you can say. It’s been close to five years. This is how she wants things.”
“And you? How do you deal with it?”
Her shoulders relaxed slightly. “I try to focus on my life. I can’t convince her to go home. I can’t promise her she and Cami will be safe.”
“So you moved to a different state and threw yourself headfirst into a new career.” It made sense. I doubted the painful memories of her sister were in South Padre. Although I knew how memories could haunt no matter where you were.
She nodded. Her body relaxed against mine as she slid against my frame. I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her tight. I had this sudden urge to protect her. Shield her from the hurt and the pain. Block it from touching her.
“I couldn’t stay there any longer. My parents live by their phones. Every time one of them rings, my parents jump, hoping it’s Kendal. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I had to get away.”
Her voice sounded tired. Her hand rested against waist, and I laid my hand on top of hers.
“Until he’s in jail for something stupid he does, she won’t come back.”
“What did your mom say tonight?”
Alyson yawned, her body growing heavier next to mine. “That Kendal said to tell me hello. That Cami is reading now. And then she started crying. All the calls are the same. They never change.” Her shoulders slipped under my grip. “I wish it was different.”
I reached toward the lamp and flipped the switch.
“I know you do, baby. I know,” I whispered the words over her head. I would hold her as long as she needed. I didn’t know what else I could do.
I held her close until we both fell asleep.