Stage Fright

Chapter 58 ~ Hideaway

Heather

I wake up in a large bundle of bedsheets, but the room smells neutral, these sheets aren't the same thread count as mine at home. Then I remember where I am, stuck in hotel hell until they can figure out how to keep me safe.

I reach around in bed trying to find Josh but he's not near me, I squint my eyes open to find that I'm alone in bed, cool morning light coming through the window. I'm almost naked, only wearing a pair of underwear. I don't remember going to bed last night, I don't remember getting undressed.

I'm just confused now, did Josh really leave me alone to sleep? I thought he'd stay right by my side all night. I just look around the room, trying to put the pieces together. I see what looks like two suitcases piled up in the corner of the room, were those ours?

Just when I start to think about getting out of bed, the door opens to the bedroom. I instantly draw the covers up over my chest, worried it was my father or worse one of his security people. But instead, I watch Josh carefully open the door, only wearing a pair of boxers.

"Oh hey." He says and stops looking secretive or like he was trying to keep the noise down. "Sorry baby, I didn't mean for you to wake up." He whispers, shutting the door and I shake my head, running my hand over my forehead.

"No, you didn't." I assure him. "I woke up on my own." I then let the death grip on the sheets go slightly. "W-where are my clothes?" I ask and he smiles.

"You took them off to shower." He reminds me and suddenly I remember the robe I was wearing. I look to the floor and sure enough there it was, I must have pulled it off in my sleep last night.

"When did we go to bed?" I ask, leaning back against the headboard. "The last thing I remember was watching TV with you." He chuckles slightly and slides into bed with me, letting me settle into his side.

"You fell asleep." He whispers, kissing my forehead. "We were watching and you were out like a light." I laugh slightly and he smiles. "You're dad came back a little later, you were dead asleep so I shuffled out from under you and helped him take our bags in. He asked how you were, if you'd eaten."

"Of course he did." I mumble and he smiles.

"I brought you in here afterwards, let you sleep while I turned out the lights and got ready for bed." He tells me and I smile.

"Sorry, I tend to fall asleep when I've got a lot on my mind." I admit and he smiles. "It's about all I can do to relax."

"I don't mind, I just crawled in next to you." He says and I smile. "How do you feel today?" He asks and I shrug.

"About as good as I can knowing someone might be stalking me." I sigh and he gives me a good squeeze. "But I have security and I'm just planning on doing some shopping and spending the day at home. I'm not too worried."

"I'm glad to hear that." He tells me and I nod, pressing my face into his chest. "I'll give Owen a call later today and cancel tonight-"

"What?" I ask, pulling back and he furrows his eyebrows.

"I....thought you'd want that." He says with a confused stutter. "I-I don't want you to be alone."

"No, don't cancel for me." I insist and he gives me a worried look. "I'll have Eleanor, my dad will be working in the house and there'll be tons of security everywhere. Go hang out with your friends, I'll be fine."

"What about sleeping?" He asks and even I almost get weak in that moment and give in. "I know you don't want to sleep alone."

"I'll be okay." I assure him. "I'll bring in a few extra pillows to make it feel like you're there with me." He sighs and looks at me, pressing his lips together.