The Broken Road - A Zac Efron Novel (18+)

Chapter 39 - Back in Cali

I was up at my usual time – 8 AM – despite our late-night efforts.  I rolled onto my side, looking at Zac as he lay peacefully sleeping on his stomach with his face buried in a pillow.  I gently climbed out from under the covers, trying not to disturb him.  We only had a short amount of time before we needed to head to the airport, but I wanted to let him sleep in.

Since the night at the Rangers game, my hotel suite had become our hotel suite.  I wandered from room to room, gathering belongings and folding our laundry as I packed both of our suitcases.  After completing packing, I went down to the kitchen, and memorialized our time in that suit. I changed into airport clothes and carefully pulled back the comforter on the bed.  Unable to resist the temptation, I planted a trail of kisses along Zac's perfectly sculpted shoulders. His eyes fluttered open, then instantly closed as he buried his face deeper in the pillow.

"5 more minutes," he grunted.

"I can give you 5 more, but we still need to leave in 15."

"Shit!  I have to pack!" he said as he shot up out of bed. I laughed as he darted around the room, completely naked.  "Where's all my stuff?" he asked, still disoriented.

"I already packed," I said, trying to catch my breath from laughing.  "But I did greatly enjoy that little episode."  He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he became more aware of his surroundings.  "There are clothes for you on the chair, the car will be downstairs in 15 minutes," I smiled as he dressed himself.

"Are you wearing my shirt?" he smiled as he pulled a t-shirt on over his head and walked over to me, bending down to kiss me.

"Yes," I said returning his kiss.  I had put on one of his denim button downs over a a simple white t-shirt.

"Oh, you think you can just start stealing my clothes now, do you?"

"Mmm hmm," my lips brushed his as I nodded my head up and down.

"Good thing I like it better on you then," he kissed me lightly again.  "I'm going to go brush my teeth so I can kiss you properly."

He emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later as I was slipping my white Converse sneakers on.

"Ready good-lookin?" I asked, standing up.

"But first," he cupped my face in his hands planting a firm kiss on my lips.

"Do you think we're going to a need a cart?" I said looking at the pile of suitcases.

"Nope," he said as he handed me my Louis and a small roller bag.  "You take those little ones, and I'll take these" he said as he hoisted up the remaining bags. 

"God you're sexy," I said as we made our way to the door.  We both paused, turning back to look over the suite.

"I'm going to miss this place," Zac said.

"Right?  I thought it was just me...but I'm sad we're leaving.  We made a lot of memories here. I fell in love with you in this hotel suite.  I know that sounds really stupid, but I did.  Over the course of many, many late nights staying up talking, I realized I loved you," I said as I leaned on my suitcase.

"But, now we get to make more memories in a new place," he kissed me on top of my forehead. 

"Goodbye Empire Suite," I waved as he shut the door.  It was a sweet moment between the two of us and the perfect way to end our time there.

We made it to JFK where we were greeted by an airport employee at the front door and whisked away to security.

As we waited in the Delta lounge until it was time to board our flight, we both scrolled through our phones, catching up on hundreds of text messages after we had "officially" confirmed our relationship the night before.