Accept

Chapter 11- Lexie

A dull thudding in my head awoke me to complete darkness. Anxiety crept through me as I rolled onto my side and stared at the hotel curtains, wondering what I had done.

I closed my eyes and felt as if I was in high school reliving a nightmare. Memories flooded back to the humiliation of vomiting in a parking lot in front of Rocky.

As the dark-haired man rolled out of bed and walked towards the bathroom, I felt the same humiliation of not remembering what had occurred. The details of the evening were hazy, and I was embarrassed to find myself dressed in only my bra and panties. Pulling the sheets tightly around me, I closed my eyes, trying to recall how I had gotten here and who the stranger was.

"I hope things work out with you and Chris. You're still in love with him and hope you listen to the advice I gave you last night," he said, touching my forehead before walking into the bathroom."A taxi will be here in 15 minutes to bring your home. I'm putting some money on the nightstand to cover it. It was a pleasure meeting you, Alexandra."

I was shocked by the reference to my full name. My parents were the only people that used it, and I wondered how much I had shared with him. Sitting up in bed, I wrapped the sheets around me and tried to remember the advice he had given, and what had happened. I never told Chris I loved him or even admitted it to myself.

I reached for my phone to call Kate; it was dead. The sound of the shower started, and I spotted the money on the nightstand. I had no intention of taking it, but couldn't remember how much money I had spent last night and how much money was in my account. Reaching for the money, I gasped at the four, hundred dollar bills. This was not taxi money but appeared to be prostitute money.

The embarrassment of only wearing a bra and panties disappeared as I stormed into the bathroom to confront him. The cold marble floor felt good on my feet, and I wanted to lay my throbbing head on the floor.

"I don't want your money," I yelled, throwing it on the floor. "I'm not sure what happened last night or even who you are, but I will not accept money for it!"

 I could barely see through the steam-filled room but saw his arms resting on the marble-tiled walls, looking down at the ground. Sweat streamed down his face. As I stepped closer, I noticed they were tears. I wasn't sure the reason for the somber look but assumed it had something to do with me.

"Nothing happened," he whispered. "You wanted revenge on your boyfriend for cheating on you, but as soon as you took off your clothes, you passed out."

Peering into his solemn face, I wondered what I had done to cause the sadness in his eyes. I felt obligated to make amends and my initial anger disappeared.

I stepped into the steamy shower, slipping my arms around his waist, and resting my head on his shoulder. His body relaxed, and strangely it felt comforting to hold him.

We stood in silence, letting the steam build around us. Finally, he removed my hands from his waist and turned to face me."Why are you here?" You don't need to stay. The money wasn't meant to mean anything."

I felt woozy from the heat and dehydration and replied, "I can't remember what happened and wasn't sure if I did something to hurt you. If I did, I apologize".

"You didn't do anything. I'm just feeling sorry for myself," he replied. "I travel all the time and am always alone. It was nice having you next to me, even if your body was lifeless," he laughed.

I smiled at the comment and looked at him through the steamy shower. His hand steadied my back as I started to fall backward.

"As I said, nothing happened, and I didn't know how much you needed for a taxi. I don't even know where you live." He hesitated and lifted my chin to draw my eyes to his. "By the way, my name is Brian if you can't remember."