“I, er – I’m on duty this afternoon. I need to – you know …” Eloise gestures toward her bedroom, her words trailing off.
“Yeah, I gotta get going too.” I know it makes me a dick, but I’m thankful for the chance to escape.
Getting to my feet, I hold out a hand to help her up. She follows me to the front door, unlocking it when we reach it.
“Thanks for yesterday. I had a great time hanging out with you –”
“I had a good evening –” Eloise says at the same time, and we can’t help laughing. Thankfully, it breaks the weirdness. “Here, give me your phone,” she continues. With a frown, I unlock the device and hand it to her. She taps some keys, then hands it back. “That’s my number. Call me sometime.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that.” I look at the number for a long moment before relocking my phone and tucking it back in my pocket. “Take care, princess.” I lean down and place a lingering kiss on her cheek, then take my leave. Despite how eager I was to leave a few short seconds ago, I want to turn back for a last look but force myself to keep walking.
Just as I reach the elevators, I hear the door close softly behind me. Relaxing muscles I’d unconsciously tensed, I hit the call button on the elevator and wait impatiently for the damn thing to arrive. It’s only as I walk out into the lobby of Eloise’s building that I remember I don’t have my truck since we got a taxi home last night.
Cursing a blue streak, I call Lucky.
“Hey bud, what’s up? You good?”
“Hey. Yeah, I’m okay. I need a favor.”
“Sure, shoot.”
“I need a lift to back to my truck. If you aren’t busy, that is.”
There’s a short silence. “Where are you that you need a lift?”
“Bit of a story. I’ll tell you when I see you,” I reply.
“Sounds like it’s gonna be good.” Lucky chuckles. “Send me the address. I’ll head out in a minute. Just want to say goodbye to my girl.”
“Thanks, man. Appreciate it.”
Sighing, I disconnect. I should probably have thought that one through a little more before making the call. But it’s done now, so I’ll just have to man up and face the inquisition. Because, make no mistake about it, Lucky will be in full-on interrogation mode. There’s no hope of avoiding it.
I look around the neighborhood now that it’s daylight and spot a small coffee shop a short way down the road. A cup of coffee wouldn’t go amiss while I wait for my lift, while also giving me a different address to send to Lucky. I don’t know why, but something doesn’t sit right about sending him the address to Eloise’s building.
The small shop is empty. A pretty young girl gives me a smile and directs me to take a seat anywhere as I step inside. I sit with my back to the wall at the back of the room, and I study my surroundings with interest. The space is bright and cheery, and I can imagine students and housewives meeting friends here for a cuppa and a chat.
The girl, who looks to be in her mid- to late teens, appears at my table, a menu in hand. She’s a chipper little thing, with a ready smile and friendly banter. I order a coffee in a to-go mug, just in case Lucky gets here before I’m done, and she chats the entire time she’s prepping my java.
Two thirds of the way through enjoying a damn good cup, I spot his truck pull up to the curb almost right outside the door. I drop some cash on the table, along with a healthy tip for my sweet server, and make my way outside. Hopping in, I return Lucky’s greeting.
“Looking a bit ragged this morning, bud. You okay?” Lucky eyes me speculatively.
“I’m fine, just didn’t get much sleep last night is all.”
He grins over at me. “Is that right?”
Instead of answering him, I simply reach over and punch him on the arm.
He cracks up laughing. “Ouch,” he chokes out through his mirth. “Bit tetchy this fine a.m.”
“Fuck you, asshole.” My grumpiness simply adds fuel to the fire, and he laughs harder.
“So how come you’re so far from home, needing a lift this morning?” he asks when he finally has himself back under control.
The question I’ve been dreading. I couldn’t tell you why I’m so reluctant to tell him, but for some weird ass reason I am.
A spark of inspiration hits. “I bumped into a friend last night, and we both ended up drinking too much, so I organized a taxi for her and then went along to make sure she got home safely. Since it was late and I’d had a fair bit to drink, she offered for me to crash on her couch. So now I need a lift back to my truck.”
