20 Days In His Bedroom

Chapter Twenty one

He finishes his shower just as I finish my cup of coffee.

"Here's yours," I say, pointing to the cup I made for him.

"Thanks," he mutters, taking it and sipping.

"You ready?" he asks.

"Yeah, I've been waiting for you."

"I hope you find them today," he says, stretching, "so I can finally have the room to myself... maybe bring in some bitchy chicks."

I roll my eyes, already used to his sarcasm. "I hope so too."

"You hope I bring some random chick?"

I laugh softly. "I hope I find my parents."

"Ah, right." He nods. "Me too."

I take a deep breath. "And... I'm sorry if I annoyed you the past few days. Really. Thank you for everything."

"No need. You had nowhere else to go," he replies with a grin. I can't tell if he's being kind or just indifferent.

"Once I find Mom and Dad, I'll pay you back. For everything—the food, the stay..."

He exhales sharply. "Shut your fucking mouth. I don't want anything from you."

There's a short silence before he adds, "What are you gonna do? After you find them? Or... if you don't?" His voice lowers. "I still don't get why you're here, staying with me."

"I guess I'll stay a bit longer. I'm not ready to see Dad. Or anyone, really."

"Not even your girlfriend?"

"Fuck. I told you, I don't have a girlfriend," he snaps, checking his watch. "Anyway, we gotta go."

I nod and take one last glance around the room. I'll miss it. But I miss Mom and Dad more.

The elevator carries us to the lobby, and there—thank God—I see Nena sitting with a young man. Her son, I assume.

"Wait for me here," I tell Kyle.

I approach her and hand her a small bag. "Nena?"

She smiles when she sees me. "Twi?"

"The dress is inside. Thank you so much for everything."

"Oh no, honey. It's a gift. I won't take it back."

"I can't accept it. You barely know me—"

"It's for you. I hope we can be friends," she laughs, then softens her voice. "Or... you can think of me as your mom. Unless you don't want to stay in touch."

My heart tugs. "I'd love that," I say, smiling.

"Then take it."

"But—"

"Take it," she insists firmly.

I nod, giving in. "Thank you," I whisper.

"Daughters don't thank their moms."

"Thank you," I repeat again without thinking, and we both laugh.

"I'm going now to search for Mom and Dad. I'll really miss you." I hug her. God, I needed this hug.

"Hey, you're not leaving without getting my phone number, right?"

"I don't have a phone. But you can write it down for me?"

"Of course. Son, write it on this napkin." She glances at me apologetically. "Sorry, no paper."

"No worries," I smile.

Her son scribbles something and winks at me. "First one's Mom's. Second is mine."

I smile politely and turn back. Kyle's watching me, eyes unreadable.

"Sorry for the wait."

"Want to say goodbye to Jace, too?" he snarks.

"Yes. Thanks for the reminder," I say, half serious.

"Are you fucking serious?" His tone sharpens. "If you don't leave now, you'll miss the next ship."

I get it. I hurry. "Don't forget to say hi to him from me."

"Sure," he grumbles. I know he won't.

He gets us a cab, and we arrive at the dock by 5:30.

"Did the ship come yet?" he asks one of the men standing around. They all look like fishermen.

"Not yet," one replies.

Thank God. I didn't miss it.

"We'll have to wait," Kyle says.

"Yeah," I nod and look out at the water.

Two hours pass. Nothing. No ship. No sound. No sign.

"I'm scared," I whisper. My heart won't stop racing. Panic climbs up my throat like vines.

"Calm down," he says, rubbing my back gently.

I'm sitting on a rock, hugging my knees to my chest.

"Trying," I breathe. I can hear my own heart pounding.

"You'll find them," he says softly.

"I don't understand why they didn't come three days ago. Unless... unless they landed somewhere else? Or they came and I didn't know?" My voice breaks. Fear floods me.

"They're safe. No matter what happened." He guides me to lean on his shoulder, and I do. I tell myself it's just comfort. Nothing more.

"What about Alex? She didn't show up at the hotel like she said in the letter, right?"

"She did," he replies, and I pull away from his shoulder.

"She did?"

He nods.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You were with that Jack guy."

"His name is Jace," I correct. "And that's no excuse. You could've told me later."

He shrugs. "Why do you care so much about her?"

"I have her clothes," I say—stupidly. That's not why. Not really.

"You wanted to see her for that? Just that?"

"Of course not. But it's one of the reasons."

"I'll say hi to her for you."

"Fine," I sigh, focusing again on the endless water.

"You're concentrating so hard. You wanna swim?" he teases.

"Shut up." I don't know why I'm talking to him like this—as if we're friends. He's not a friend. Not really. Not yet.

He chuckles. "I could toss you into the water. Over my shoulder."

"No thanks. I don't have extra clothes."

"That's the only reason?"

"Biggest one," I say coolly.

He laughs. "So you'd let me lift you?"

"It's not like it'd be the first time," I murmur, remembering how he saved my life.

"Don't you ever feel like this is all just a dream? A nightmare? Everything feels fake—unreal. Like some badly written movie no one would ever pay to watch."

I finally look at him. He's sitting beside me on the rock, leaning back on his arms.

"Perfect description," he says. "But I think some people would still pay. Even if it's silly as fuck."

"I doubt it," I say, looking away again.

"But the most unbelievable part?" He pauses. "That I didn't fuck you these past three days. Or even try. While we were under the same roof."

I don't answer. I look farther left, hiding my face. I don't know why I'm smiling. Someone slap me.

"Must be the liquor," I manage to say.

He laughs softly, leans his head back, and closes his eyes.