Maybe I Don't Hate You

Chapter 7

Nex's pov:

The cops must have had something important to do because they didn't seem to notice me.

"Thank god."

Even though I wasn't in any immediate danger, I was still spooked.

It wasn't getting any brighter outside.

I looked up the nearest, cheapest, hotel.

"There's no way I can walk there."

Scarlett had given me her number a few days ago so that we wouldn't have to use snap chat.

"This is probably a bad idea," I said to myself.

Taking a deep breath, I pressed the call button.
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Scarlett's pov:

My eyes opened slowly and I groaned. I reached my hand around on my bed until I could find the source of my abrupt waking, my phone.

I answered the phone without checking who it was.

"Oh thank god," the caller exclaimed.

I shot up in my bed. "Nex?"

"Yeah I know it's late and we're not friends or whatever but...I had no one else to call." Her voice was shaky like she was in distress.

"What happened? Are you alright?," I found myself asking.

I couldn't help but be concerned, even though I knew that I shouldn't be.

"I need you to pick me up and drive me to Grand Stand hotel," said Nex.

"That hotel? No way."

Grand Stand hotel was known to be a shit hole. It was crawling with junkies and criminals.

"I don't have enough money for a decent hotel and I have nowhere to go. Please..." Nex's voice was frantic. "Please," she repeated.

"I'm gonna pick you up, okay? Where are you?"

Nex didn't beg so I knew that whatever this was, it was serious. And I wasn't asking about the situation until I knew she was safe.

"The bus stop on Pecan road."
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I pulled in near the bus stop and let her get into the car.

We sat there for a minute until she turned to look at me.

"Are you gonna take me to the hotel or..."

"No! Are you insane? You know what that place is like," I shouted.

I hadn't meant to raise my voice, but it just came out.

"Scarlett, why do you care? You've made it very clear how much you don't give a fuck in many different ways."

Even though she was putting on a tough front, I could tell she was hurting. For whatever reason, I wanted nothing more than to help her.

"How could you think that still applies? I drove my ass out here, half asleep, to make sure that..."

"Make sure what?"

I turned my face away from her. "That you were okay."

Nex patted my thigh lightly. She retreated her hand to rub her face. I knew she was exhausted.

"Look, I'm sorry. Tonight has been really shitty to say the least. I shouldn't be taking it out on you."

I began driving without saying a word.