My Spy

The Hemming House

I pull the plush white comforter up to my face and my head sinks into the luxurious plump pillow. I hear Austin murmuring on the phone outside the hotel room door and Ryan is still washing the day's events away in the shower. I tried to sneak in and talk to him while Austin was out of the room but Ryan locked the door to the bathroom, knowing I would try to pounce on him.

He hasn't let me tell him what I've wanted to tell him since I was bound in the schoolhouse and I am becoming increasingly impatient. Even if he doesn't feel the same way, I want him to know how I feel.

There are undercover F.B.I agents wandering the halls and lobby of the hotel so I feel safe falling asleep here tonight. Simon would have to be a criminal mastermind to break through all the F.B.I swarming about and get through the two agents shacked up in here to get to me. And from what I have learned about him, Simon may be a criminal but he is certainly no mastermind.

I close my eyes hoping to fall asleep with ease but my ears remain on alert while the water continues to run in the bathroom. I'm hoping Ryan will come out before Austin comes back in, but he's suspiciously taking a longer shower than usual.

I hear more murmurs from Austin and my heart speeds up when I finally hear the squeak of the shower knobs turn off. I bite the inside of my cheek, anxiously waiting for the door to swing open and I bolt up in bed when it finally does.

"Can I please talk to you?" I say in hushed tones hoping Austin doesn't come waltzing back in. Ryan fastens the small white towel around his waist and finally looks to me.

"Talk about what?" He says quietly. I look to him, unsure of what to say first. I bite my lip as my eyes quickly flit from him to the ceiling as I wonder what to say. I should have prepared a better speech.

"Sawyer look-" Ryan starts with a defeated expression. I quickly interrupt before he can shut me down.

"I think I kinda love you, Ryan. It's silly I know, I've known you for two weeks but all I could think about when I was tied up in the stupid room today was how I regretted not getting to know you more. That if I died, I would be sorry that I never learned all the things I wanted to know about you. Or sorry that I almost ran away to Philly because I was too scared to go after who I really wanted. Because for some unknown reason, my heart has fallen for you in the little time we've had together and it will kill me if you leave me alone in this. Or maybe, I have watched too many movies and I sound batshit crazy right now, but I know my feelings for you are so much more than lust." Ryan looks to me with shock splashed across his face. He quickly wipes it off by rubbing his palms down his forehead to his chin. I slap my hands against the comforter when Austin comes back into the room interrupting my big moment.

"Sawyer, we gotta talk," Austin says and Ryan immediately starts rummaging through his small gym bag, changing into new clothes and ignoring Austin's presence.

"Okay, about what?" I answer. Austin glances to Ryan before crossing the small room over to me.

"The Captain has spoken with the Hemmings. Because you called and warned Jackson today, they feel like they owe you something in return. They have agreed to let you stay on their premises until Simon is in custody. We are going to play it like you still caught your flight to go see Tate in Philly and hope Simon tries to follow your trail. Once we have Simon, you are free to return home." My hands shake in frustration.

"Why that house? Why are you making me go back there? You heard that pompous ass today, he didn't even deserve to be warned." Austin comes and sits next to me on the bed while Ryan plops into the small chair across from me. He doesn't meet my eyes.

"This isn't ideal for...anyone," Austin says while glancing to Ryan, "But it does make sense. Sawyer, we gotta keep you safe and this is the best solution." I nod my head reluctantly while Ryan twists his hands together.