Herophine: All Good Things

Chapter 21

Hero's POV:

I need to get back to my room. I need to go to bed. I was fucking exhausted when I landed in NY more than five hours ago and I'm even more so now.

But I'm pissed. No. Fucking livid. Don't get me wrong, I love that Jo's having fun. We'd been cooped up in her apartment for so long, I was starting to wonder if we'd both forgotten what fun was. In the outside world that is. I appreciate Kath taking Jo out tonight. Making her let down her hair a little. But the Instagram post that I know wasn't posted by my girlfriend per se is enough to drive me over the edge. I trust her. I really do. It's just everyone else that can fuck off for all I care.

I know how guys operate. I.E: I am one. I wasn't a player really before I met Jo, but I've got plenty of friends back home that fit the mold. Two girls, alone in a bar? They might as well be holding a neon sign with the words 'Come Talk To Us' plastered on the front. And Jo of all people? You can't not help but find her attractive; ask me how I know. And once you engage in conversation, you might as well pray to your lord and savior above to make sure you can keep her attention. Again; ask me how I know.

As soon as I left the Hotel bar, without another word to Vivian, I quickly made my way straight for the elevator. While exiting, I run my hands up and down my face as I walk down the dimly lit corridor of my floor, to the end of the hallway. Room 1924. Nearly the top of this twenty story hotel.

Nearing the end of the eerily silent hallway, I reach around to grab my wallet out of the back pocket of my jeans. Thoughts of taking a quick shower before I call it a night cross my mind but I'd have to find the energy to do so first. I've got a slight buzz going from the drinks I had in the hotel bar, meaning I'll probably be asleep before my head hits the pillow. And thank god for that. Hopefully I can go the whole night without dreaming of what the hell that guy in the video whispered in Jo's ear before the video cut off.

As soon as I open my wallet, I do a double take inside. My credit card I used minutes earlier is front and center but the key card is no where to be found. I search every pocket before sliding it back in my jeans, including the one in the front of my hoodie. Awesome. I find myself retracing my steps up until this point when I suddenly remember briefly setting it down on top of the bar when I went to pay for my drinks. Right in front of Vivian.

"Mother fuck," I whisper as I lean up against the wall next to my door and close my eyes. I have no choice but to take the elevator down to the lobby again. Even though it took a minute to get back up here in the first place. I push off the wall and hang my head as I stalk back down from where I just came from, all the while not meeting a soul I sight. I can hear a few muffled voices and the sounds of televisions playing behind closed doors as I pass by. Just as I'm about to round the corner to where the elevator doors for this floor sit, I hear the familiar ding and can't help but be thankful that someone is more than likely getting off on this floor at the exact perfect time I need to get back on.

Just as I lift my head up, my small smile is immediately wiped away as the shiny metal doors open and there stands Vivian in the center of the small space, with a key card in hand.

"You left this in the bar," she smiles as she steps out of the elevator and slowly walks towards me, the heels of her shoes muffled by the sudden change in carpeted flooring. Her arm is extended out towards me, offering me the key to my very own room, and without thinking twice I take it from her and turn to leave again.

"Thanks," I offer over my shoulder under my breath.

"Hero.." she begins to say, but I've already turned the corner to begin back down the long hallway.

"Hero! Wait!" Her voice is more urgent and I can hear her trailing behind me.

"Night, Vivian," I say loud enough so that she gets the hint. I can hear her taking two strides for every one of mine, as well as the zippers on her leather jacket jostling around with her movements.