Hiding off the Grid

Chapter Twelve

When I woke up again the bed was empty. No Jaxton sleeping beside me, no Dallas knocking on the door. I didn't hear anything. 

I got up out of bed and walked into the bathroom where I put on some semi clean clothes and made myself look somewhat presentable. Before I left the bathroom I looked at myself in the mirror and I could say I didn't even recognize me. I wasn't that traumatized little girl running alone on the streets, or that ravaged teenager who got paid for sex, I was a young woman who found shelter. 

Should I give up this newly found shelter?

Take the risk and stay? Or continue what I've always been doing and run? That's all that has been on my mind recently.

-

I walked down the stairs of the quiet house and into the living room where no one was. Then I made my way into the kitchen, where it was still empty. Then I figured that Jaxton went to work. I should really go too but whatever. I'm already ditching after the first day. 

I grabbed an apple off the spotless center island and then headed out the front door. I was right, Jaxton's car is gone. Did he leave a note back inside and I didn't see it? Or did he just leave?

I started walking down the street in the direction of the beach and I made sure to put my hood up so no street cameras will see my face. The road to the beach takes me past Jaxton's gym so I decide I should stop in there. 

When I get to the glass windows outside the gym I stop and look inside. 

Dallas is at the front counter flirting with some hot chick while gym members hustled around exercising. Then my eyes wandered to the back where I saw Jaxton, he had 3 kids about the age of 5 all around him. They were playing with a weight ball and they were all laughing including Jaxton. His smile was to die for.

Just then I made my decision.

I can't ever take Jaxton's happiness away from him. He doesn't deserve someone who is only going to cause trouble for him in the long run. I will take all that laughter out of his life because of my background history. 

I have decided to leave Charleston. The FBI already knows I'm here and if they catch me with Jaxton his life will be ruined. I can't push all my wrongdoings on Jaxton who doesn't even know who I really am. 

Knowing this, I quickly turned around and ran back to the house. I went up to my room and packed all my stuff away. I grabbed my bag, slung it over my shoulder, and ran downstairs. I wrote a thank you note to Jaxton for all he has done to help me and set it on the counter so I know he would see it. 

I reached the front door and took one last look at this brief shelter I have found. But now I have to go back on the run, I have to leave. I sighed as I opened the door and ran out into the day.

-

It didn't take long for me to find Naomi's motel I stayed at the first night I was here. I am going to tell her I'm leaving and see if she still has some more of the food I left here a while ago. 

I walked in the front door and was shocked to see Chase standing there at the counter talking to Naomi. They both look over at me expecting to see a customer.

Naomi's eyes got wide and her smile grew, in no time she was in front of me giving me a huge hug. "Darling! You haven't visited, I was starting to worry!" She said as she let go of me. 

"I know I was busy." I said, giving a lame excuse. I had enough time to stop by, I just forgot to.

"Jaxton is a handful." Naomi said with a light smile.