Tahoe (A Jeremy Renner story)

Sweet Dreams

"Lisa?" There was a gentle knock at her door. "Can I come in?" Sam's voice carried through the door.

Lisa rolls over onto her back and sits up before saying. "Yeah."

Sam opens the door taking in the sight before her. Lisa's head was hung low, picking at her fingers. Her body was shuddering slightly as a sniffle comes from her direction. Sam walks over to the side of the bed taking a seat next to her.

"Talk to me girlie" She whispers to her as she places her hand on Lisa's back. The cold leather against her hand was a slight shock, but she presses her hand down against her.

"I don't know why I'm being like this Sam, I'm sorry." Lisa looks up at Sam with dark streaks down her face. Her make up was a mess and the tears were washing away the mask she hid behind.

""Don't be sorry!" Sam scoots over and pulls her down into her lap. Lisa lays her head in Sam's lap as a short shuddered breath comes from her. Sam starts to run her hands through Lisa's hair as she tried to calm her down.

"I'm not here am I? This is just an amazing dream that I'm going to wake up from." Lisa turns her head to look up at Sam.

"Lisa, this is real, but you need to focus on what you want. What do YOU want?" Sam smiles down at her friend.

"What I want will never happen, and I'm not this hussy that hooks up with strangers on vacation." Lisa turns her head back and starts to pick at the sleeves of the jacket.

"You don't know that. This is good for you. I've not seen you this happy in a long time. Even when you were with that jackass." Sam pulls Lisa's hair back behind her ear exposing the purple bruise on her neck. "Um, what's that?"

"What's what?" Lisa breathes out.

"This." Sam pokes it with her finger.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Lisa flinches as her hand covers her neck.

"Come here." Sam slips out from under her, pulling her off the bed.

"What? I just want to wallow in my sorrow." Lisa drops her body as dead weight, causing Sam to grunt as she pulls her off the bed onto the floor with a THUD! "Damn you Sam!" Lisa stands up following her friend out of the room to the bathroom down the hall.

Sam steps in the bathroom turning on the light. She pulls Lisa in font of the mirror, pulling back her hair exposing the dark mark. "THIS!" She points to it again.

Lisa's hands fly up to her face as her eyes became as big as dinner plates. What the fuck?"

"Seems like he likes to mark his territory." Sam laughs as she wraps her arms around her.

"I can't go out like this! What if people think I'm some tramp?" Lisa's voice was high and breaking from all of the crying earlier.

"You don't look like a tramp. Just marked." Sam makes eye contact with her in the mirror, winking at her, and then grins.

Sam pulls back from her and turns to walk out of the bathroom. Lisa grabs her left arm stopping her. "I'm scared." She whispers.

"I know sweetie. I just want you to be happy, whatever that means." Sam turns back to the hallway, heading down to her room.

Lisa looks in the mirror once again, and then jumps as her pocket starts to vibrate. Pulling out her phone she notices an Instagram notification. Opening the app she sees it's a message. Probably her crazy ex, not something she wanted to deal with, but as she was about to close her phone it goes off again. Another message! She was about to loose it as she opened the messages, but nearly dropped the phone when she sees that it was not her ex messaging her. There it was plain as day, JR's name at the top of her messages.

"Oh boy." She sighs as she turns the light off and walks back down the hall to her room.

She lies on her bed, pulling the jacket closer around her as she opens the chat.

Hey, I know you probably are asleep, but I wanted to apologize to you for earlier

I hope to see you tomorrow

She stares at the messages holding her breath. He was apologizing to her for being there for his daughter. Finally snapping out of her trance she replies.

It's totally fine. You take care of that sweet little girl.

As she was about to put her phone down she notices the 'Seen' under her chat. Pulling her pillows up behind her head she watches as the chat bubbles moved. She rolls over onto her side as her phone dings again.

She's better now, asleep next to me. How are you doing?

Lisa stares at the message as her mouth opens slightly. He was worried about her and was taking the time to check on her. This was something she wasn't used to. Most BF's of hers would just ignore her.

I'm fine. Don't worry about me.

She mentally kicks herself as she sends that, but it was true, why should he worry about her?

Don't talk like that! You are an amazing, sweet, caring and compassionate person. It's a breath of fresh air to have someone who understands.

Lisa stares at her phone as her face twists up into a goofy smile. He couldn't possibly be talking about me, someone who he knows little to nothing about.

Thanks! I try

She quickly replies as her cheeks flush from the complement. She lays her hand down on the bed as her eyes start to hang heavy. She had no idea how much the excitement of the day would wear her out. The phone dings as Lisa flutters her eyes open looking down at the chat.

I do wish to see you tomorrow, if you will still have me?

Have him? One thing she had only dreamed about.

Sure, plus I need to give you back your jacket

Her hand drops to the bed again as her head lays back on the pillows. Sleep was calling her and she was having a hard time keeping it at bay.

Don't worry about that, I just want to see you.

She looks down at the phone, pulling it back up with all of the energy she had left.

Well to be honest I'm laying here with it on.

She fights her heavy eyes as she tries to sit up.

Oh really now?

She giggles to herself as the smile grows on her face.

Mmhmm! Still smells like you too.

She sits up crossing her legs doing her best to keep her body from winning.

Ha ha I bet.

She bobs her head down as her vision becomes fuzzy. She really needed to get some sleep. Sam was sure to be up early wanting to go get breakfast in town. She just didn't want to stop this conversation.

As much as I want to stay up talking, I can barely keep my eyes open rn.

She feels a pang of guilt, as she was being selfish.

Get some sleep sweetheart. I'll get with you tomorrow when I'm free.

She goes to lay the phone down as it dings one last time.

Sweet dreams. I'll see you tomorrow.

She types a short reply as she lies back onto the pile of pillows behind her.

You too hun!

Her head hits the pillows as the phone falls from her hand onto the bed next to her. The void of exhaustion had taking over her.