On The Run

Chapter Seventeen

I wake again to darkness, but it is more of a peaceful kind, and I can make out the shape of a room, and a figure next to my bed.

Reaching around for anything, I found my phone under my pillow.

Perfect.

Turning it on, I shine the light around to find myself in my bedroom.

My bedroom in New Jersey, at least.

Not the one back at my real home.

How'd I get here? Last time I checked I had been hours from home.

I shine my light on the figure next to me to find AJ, his head propped down on my bed, and gentle snores erupting from his nose.

Where is Joey? What had Chrome and his wife done to him?

I prop myself up so that I am leaning on my headboard, only to be repaid with a pounding headache, causing me to lay back down.

AJ must of heard my groan, because a few seconds later his head shoots up, his eyes wide.

"Rosalie!" He wraps his arms around me tightly, and I smile, leaning into his warmth.

"That's the first time you haven't called me princess in a while," I note, and he laughs.

Pulling back, I notice his eyes are filled with tears.

Was the bad boy crying?

"Are you crying?" I asked in awe.

AJ swipes viciously at his eyes, shaking his head and turning away.

"No. I- I just... I have something in my eye..."

I laugh at his pathetic excuse and shake my head.

"Hey, how long have I been asleep?" I ask, rubbing my head.

That's weird. It isn't swollen, as I had thought it would be.

He fidgets nervously, and that's when I notice the machines behind him.

I touch the back of my head, to find a few cords hooked there.

Panicking, I sit up quickly, causing a throbbing pain to start up in my head.

"AJ," I prod. "How long?"

Looking away, he runs a hand through his hair.

His next words are so quiet, I almost miss them.

"Erm... a little over a month."