Hell Town

Chapter Two

After Calvin left, apologizing again for losing the paperwork, Lani went upstairs to her room, still in shock. She clutched the check in her hand, afraid to let go of it in case it vanished.

Six years on the road with her dad, they had lived hand to mouth. She had never asked for anything from him, didn't want anything. He had always made sure she was fed and happy and that was all she needed. He spent his life looking out for her and even now he still was. He must have set up the policy when he found out he was ill.

Ten thousand dollars.

She went up to the map she had hanging over her bed and traced the line of thumb tacks she had used to plot her journey across the country. She could picture all the dive bars and clubs the band had played in, vividly, in her head. Maybe she would run into some of the guys. They kept the band going in her dad's memory.

"I'm finally going, Dad," she whispered.

"Lani! Some help down here," Audrey yelled.

She couldn't wait to see Audrey's face when she told her. Hesitating at the door, she thought of Rick. How was she going to tell him?

She would have to break it to him tonight. He would understand, he knew how much she hated this town. She'd miss him, a lot. But she needed to go.

*

Lani opened the front door to let the smoke escape. Choking, she waved a dish cloth trying to disperse it faster.

She looked back to see Rick lifting the flaming pan and throwing it into the sink. He doused the flames before joining her at the door.

"Okay, so I think we've established that I can't cook," he wheezed.

"It's my fault, I was distracting you," she said, buttoning up her shirt.

"I guess dinner's off. Come on, I'll drive you home. Maybe we can grab a pizza on the way."

"Oh, okay," she said, disappointed. Things had been getting interesting. She was trying her best not to think about the money. She would tell him eventually but now she was just enjoying being with him. Why give that up before she had to?

They hopped into his truck, a red pickup. Rick turned the key but nothing happened.

"What's wrong?" Lani asked.

"I don't know. I just had her serviced." He popped the hood and got out to take a look. Lani followed.

"Anyone would think you were doing this deliberately so I would have to stay," she teased.

"I swear I'm not. I'll walk you home right now," he said, closing the hood.

Lani looked out at the trees surrounding his cabin. A mist was spreading over the ground towards them. She shivered.

"You want me to walk through there? No thanks," she said going back inside.

"I guess I will have to stay here. In your bed."

"Of course. I'll take the couch," Rick said.

Lani rolled her eyes, "I meant both of us in the bed, dummy."

She kissed him and he finally caught on.

"You sure?" he asked.

She took his hand, led him into the bedroom and began unbuttoning his shirt. His lips found hers, hands on her waist then under her shirt. He lowered her onto the bed and pulled his shirt off, letting it drop to the floor.  Lani's own shirt followed.

"You are so beautiful," Rick murmured.

He cupped her breasts, making her moan. She wanted him so badly. Not wanting to wait any longer, she shed the rest of her clothes and helped him out of his jeans. Pulling him down on top of her, she kissed him deeply, forgetting all about the money and leaving town.