“Aw, well, that just ruined my night.”
“You’re flattering.”
He chuckles. “It’s where my son gets it.”
I smile, and get back to work. By midnight, I’ve made more than $100 in tips, mostly from Jon. I wait around with Colt as he closes up the bar, and then I get changed and tuck my tips, plus my first night’s pay into my pocket. All up, I have over $200. Colt didn’t question why I needed cash-only jobs, but I’m grateful for that.
“You need someone to walk you home?” Colt asks, walking out with a set of keys in his hands.
I stare around the empty bar, and I yawn. It’s probably not a bad idea. I’m exhausted, and I’m in a strange city.
“That’d be great. I’m only two blocks down.”
“You hungry?”
My stomach grumbles at the thought, and I nod, sheepishly. Colt laughs and we leave the bar, stepping out into the warm night.
“I know an awesome place that’s open twenty-four hours. It’s only a few blocks away, too.”
“Sounds good to me,” I say, letting my eyes scan the roads. No Axel. Just breathe.
Colt and I begin walking down the street, the opposite direction to my hotel. We pass bars and clubs that are still pumping. Girls stop and grin at Colt as he passes them, and I roll my eyes. Not that I can entirely blame then; he’s a good-looking man.
“So, you got yourself a boyfriend, Meadow?”
I snort, and shake my head. “No, they’re too much hassle right now.”
He laughs. “I agree. When I was travelling, I didn’t like having something holding me back, either.”
“I don’t imagine you’d ever have a time when women weren’t throwing themselves at you?”
He looks at me with shock. “Are you saying I’m beautiful?”
I laugh loudly, and it feels good. “Stunning.”
He chuckles, and grips my hand suddenly. I turn to him, confused, but he nods his head to the left. “This is the place.”
I lift my eyes, and see a big flashing sign hanging above a small shop. The smell coming from it has my stomach twisting with need.
“It smells amazing,” I groan.
“It is. You like burgers?”
“I love them.”
“Sit, I’ll get us something.”
I shake my head. “You don’t have to do that, Colt. I have money.”
He waves a hand and turns, not letting me argue. I find a table and take a seat, letting my eyes scan the streets again. It’s habit; I can’t just shake it off. I’m always watching, even when I’m relaxing.
I’m deep in a daze by the time Colt comes back out. I hear the seat skid, and I squeal, leaping out of mine.
“Whoa there,” Colt says, putting the plates down. “Just me.”
“Sorry,” I mumble, shaking my head. “I was off in a world of my own.”
“Can see that. Here.”
He slides a plate toward me, and I stare down at the large cheeseburger and fries. Oh, yum. I lift the burger and I take a bite, groaning loudly as the flavor dances on my taste buds.
“Oh my God, it’s so good,” I moan between mouthfuls, looking at Colt.
He laughs, shaking his head. “Damn, girl’s got an appetite. Not often you find a chick who can eat and is good looking, all in one.”
I flush. “Sorry. I must look like a starved animal.”
He shakes his head, biting his burger. “Naw, you look kind of cute.”
I roll my eyes, and take another bite. We eat in silence, and I am enjoying every single bite of this delicious burger. When we’re done, I take my can of soda and Colt and I begin the walk back to my hotel.
“So, where to next, after this?” he asks.
I shrug. “Wherever the road takes me.”
It’s not entirely a lie. I really don’t know where I’ll go. I’m supposed to be heading to L.A, but I don’t even know if what I’m looking for is there.
“You got any friends to meet up with on the way?”
I shake my head. “I meet new people all the time. That’s the beauty of doing it alone. It’s my own hours.”
God, I’m such a bad person. I’m lying as if it’s second nature to me now.
Colt nods in understanding. “I met some crazies on my journeys.”
“Oh? Tell me the best.”
He chuckles. “I met this man who’d had his penis cut off in an attempt to become a woman.”
I giggle. “Nice.”
“He...or she...was the funniest person I’d met in my life. To this day, we still talk.”
“So he’s a she now?”
He laughs, and runs his hand through his hair. “Yeah, he’s a she. Bert is now Berta.”
I laugh loudly, and notice we’re already at my hotel. “This is me.”
Colt looks up. “Good choice.”
“It’s not bad,” I say, turning to face him. “Thanks for giving me a chance.”
He shrugs. “No problems, any time.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He winks at me. “Later.”
Then he’s gone. I smile, and walk into the hotel, feeling good for the first time in a long while.
I made a friend.
~*~*~*~
AXEL
“We’ll take a few days here, and then we’ll hit the road again,” I say, unlocking the door to the compound.