“Robby,” I said breathlessly. His name slid sweetly off my tongue.
“I love you, Joss,” Robby whispered into my ear. “I love you so much.”
We fell asleep in each other’s arms. It felt like morning came much too quickly.
I blinked several times to clear my vision. Robby was still in bed with his head to the side. His breathing slow and steady, and there was a hint of a smile on his lips.
“Robby,” I said lightly shaking him.
“Huh?” he grunted without opening his eyes. He shifted slightly and fell right back asleep.
“Robby, you’re going to be late,” I said.
The word was like the buzz of an alarm clock. His eyes popped open and he sat up.
“Dammit,” he said. He stretched his arms but he didn’t get out of bed like I thought he would. His finger massaged his temples as he groaned. “Got a bit of a headache.”
“They call that a hangover,” I said.
Robby shook his head. “I don’t get hangovers. Do we have any headache medicine?”
“I don’t think so,” I said.
“I need to get more sleep,” Robby said.
“Is Rex going to be mad?”
Robby’s head moved side to side. “I don’t think so. Let Caleb know. He can stop by and tell Rex I’m not feeling well.”
“Okay,” I said pulling on dry clothes.
I left the room, looking in both directions before crossing the hall. My hand felt stiff as I curled it into a fist to knock.
The door opened and Jenna looked at me through narrowed eyes. “Took you long enough.”
“Where’s Caleb?” I asked.
“He left earlier,” Jenna said placing her hand on her hip. “You know, like they always do. Caleb knocked on your door but no one answered.”
“Shoot. Sorry,” I said. “Robby isn’t feeling well.”
Jenna snorted. “Too much to drink, maybe?”
“He has a headache.”
“Like I said, too much to drink,” she repeated.
“I guess I’ll have to go talk to Rex,” I said. “He wanted Caleb to pass on the message. It’s okay, I need to see if I can find some headache medicine or something for him.”
Jenna hesitated. “Want me to go with you?”
“Nah, that’s okay.” I scratched the back of my neck with my shaking fingers. I didn’t want her to see my nerves or she’d insist on accompanying me. “Any chance you’d keep an eye on Robby? I’ll let you in before I head out.”
“Yeah, I can do that,” Jenna said glancing over her shoulder. “Let me just grab my book.”
We silently walked across the hall. I opened the door and tapped my lips with my index finger. “He’s probably asleep. Lock the door, okay?”
“Okay,” she said.
“Be back in a bit.”
Jenna offered me a quick nod. I spun on my heel after the door closed and headed toward the stairs.
When I stepped out of the building and into the rain, it hit me hard that I was out alone for the first time since I’d left town with Bill. I was tempted to turn around and go back up to the room.
Rex would eventually send someone to ask about Robby or maybe he wouldn’t care at all why he hadn’t shown up. I could just run to the little store down the road and see if they had some headache medicine, then call it a day.
Then again, I was already halfway there. It wouldn’t take long to pop in.
“Hey there, girly!” Ashton called out, waving at me from across the street.
He must have been out in the rain for a long time as his hair was soaked and plastered flat against his forehead. Ashton ran over to me with a big smile on his face.
“Joss, right?” Ashton said squinting slightly.
“That’s right,” I said.
“I knew it,” he said snapping his fingers. “Where you headed? I heard you were no longer working out here but taking care of that pregnant girl.”
I nodded. “That’s right. Just heading over to talk to Rex.”
“Oh, cool. Is he expecting you?” Ashton asked.
“No,” I said.
“Here,” he said placing his hand on my back. He turned me into a small alleyway between two buildings. “This is a shortcut.”
I gulped as I turned and tried to get back out onto the sidewalk. “Oh, I don’t mind going—”
“Less rain falling here,” Ashton said.
I took two steps before he pushed me against the wet brick building. His hands were pressed against the wall, one on each side of me.
“Dang,” he said looking me up and down. “I think you might be the finest woman in this entire town.”
“Um, thanks,” I said trying to step to the side. He reacted quickly, blocking me. “I should hurry. Rex is waiting for me.”
Ashton chuckled. “Thought you said he wasn’t expecting you?”
“Well, he knows I’m coming,” I lied.
“He won’t mind waiting a little longer,” Ashton said. “I can be fast or slow whatever you prefer.”
“I prefer to be on my way,” I said.
Ashton frowned. “Aw, baby, don’t be like that.”
“I just want to go,” I said trying again to get away.
He was rougher. His hand was on my shoulder, pressing me against the wall.
I heard the zipper on his pants and my heartbeat pounded. My voice was stuck in my throat. I needed to get away.
Ashton touched my cheek and I cringed. It almost seemed as if it had excited him more that I wasn’t interested.
“Let me go!” I said louder.
His hand covered my mouth. He smiled at my wide, panic-filled eyes.
Leaving the room had been a huge mistake. I should never have gone out on my own. Now, I was going to pay the price.
11
Adam
I knocked but she didn’t respond. My fist tightened with
