I WOKE UP THE NEXT morning to the sound of someone snoring. I rubbed my eyes still groggy from the night before, and blinked past the bright light from the patio door. There, laying beside me was Morgan. She had bags under her eyes, and her hair was a disheveled mess, but she was tucked beneath the comforter sleeping peacefully.
I glanced around the room then, remembering that Owen never came back last night. Or, maybe he had? I fell asleep soon after I climbed into bed, the events of the day more than just emotionally tiring. Morgan stirred beside me, and when she opened her eyes I quickly closed mine.
“I know you're awake.” She said, with annoyance.
I opened my eyes slowly then, and soon we were face to face. Only inches apart, we had no choice but to acknowledge one another.
“Hi.” I said, awkwardly.
“Hi.” She said, back.
“I'm sorry!” We both blurted out at the same time, before laughing at ourselves.
“I shouldn't have said the things that I said last night.” I started, extending an olive branch.
“Yes, you should have.” She sighed. “Ronnie, I know I could've been a better friend to you.”
“I can't blame you for everything though. You didn't force me to do anything, I have free will. I just chose to let you make all the hard decisions in my life for me. I guess it was easier that way.”
“I always felt like I had to protect you from the world.”
“Why?” I laughed.
“Honestly? You're better than me, Ronnie Locke. You deserve a better friend than me, that's for damn sure.”
“I'm not better than you.” I said, softly.
“Everyone leaves. I've not had one constant in my life besides you, and I guess I felt like I had to protect that. I needed you to need me so that you wouldn't be the next person to walk away.”
I reached for her hand, and gave it a little squeeze.
“By keeping me on a short leash, you're only making me want to pull harder.”
She nodded, as she wiped a stray tear from her face.
“I understand that now.” She whispered.
A loud thud from Morgan's room suddenly caught my attention. I looked at her with question, and she gave me a small apologetic smile.
“Morgan?” I asked, as I sat up in the bed.
She quickly sat up beside me, and held her hands out in front of her.
“Before you get angry, let me ex-”
“You ladies decent?” Owen called from the other side of our adjoining door.
My eyes grew wide, and I could feel the anger rising inside of me.
“You didn't!” I snapped.
“What? Of course not!” She snapped back.
“What the hell is he doing in your room then?” I whispered.
“Ladies!” Owen called again.
Ignoring my question Morgan climbed over me, and made her way towards the door to unlock it. A few seconds later, she returned with Owen on her heels. I slowly pulled the comforter up, and over my chest, and he winked at me. He winked at me? What the hell?
“Morning, Ronnie.”
“Morning?” I said, with question. “Care to explain what you're doing here?”
He laughed. “By the time the police left it was late, I was tired, and you were already asleep. Morgan was nice enough to offer me her room for the night, so she came to sleep with you.”
I instantly felt like shit for accusing Morgan, but after what she tried to pull last night she couldn't exactly blame me. I nodded slightly, and he sat down on the love seat at the end of the bed. Morgan quickly excused herself back to her room, leaving Owen and I to our own devices.
“Do the police have any leads?” I asked, breaking the now awkward silence.
“None.” He said, with defeat.
“I'm sorry.”
“It wasn't your fault, Unicorn.”
I rolled my eyes. “So, what now?”
“Looks like I'll be hanging here a bit longer than I intended.”
“You could rent a car?” I offered.
Morgan came bursting through the door then, and I spun around so fast that I thought I may have whiplash. She smiled apologetically, before getting a massive grin on her face. This was her 'I have an idea' face. I never knew if I should be afraid, or excited?
“I couldn't help but overhear your conundrum.” She said, addressing Owen.
“My conundrum?” He arched a brow.
“You've lost your ride to New York. We have a ride to New York. It makes perfect sense that you come along with us!”
I opened my mouth to speak, but Morgan turned to face me next.
“Come on, Ronnie! It will be fun. Besides, it gives the two of you some more time to explore... whatever this is.” She said, motioning between the two of us.
“I'm not sure that there's anything to explore.” I said.
“I'm not so sure there isn't” Owen countered.
“You can't be serious? You've been playing hot, and cold since the day we met.”
“I thought we cleared that up.”
“You two are missing the point.” Morgan chimed in. “Clearly we met for a reason, why not bring him along! If anything it will piss your mom off, and that's always a great idea.”
I couldn't help but laugh at her reasoning, as I looked over at Owen. She was right. My mother would absolutely lose her mind at the sight of him. The tattoos, and piercings would be enough to send her into cardiac arrest.
“I appreciate the offer.” Owen started. “But, my time line isn't as lenient as yours. I'll just rent a car, it's no big deal. Really.”
“We can move our time line up!” Morgan said, practically begging. “It's a three hour, and forty minute drive to Maryland from here. If we leave
