Proclivity For You

Panic.

I woke up to sun streaming through the blinds. I hadn't slept well. Not that this surprised me. I hadn't slept well in years. I rubbed my eyes and stood up. Grabbed some clothes and went to the bathroom to shower.

I made my way out to the front to see Mary standing there again. She looked up and smiled when she saw me "How'd you sleep?"

"Fine. Thanks. Is there a decent place to get breakfast here, that potentially has Wi-Fi?"

She laughed "Too small a town for that kind of thing but, we have Wi-Fi here if you want to go grab breakfast and come back after. Go down the street to Sal's on the left. Always have a good special."

I nodded as I started to walk out "Thanks. Be back shortly." I walked down about a block and couldn't miss the diner. It has a huge sign announcing its presence. I walked in and it looked like it hadn't been updated since 1967. I sat down at an empty booth and ordered coffee and the special when a waitress came by. I felt tense. I wanted to be halfway to Sacramento by now. Hopefully, Chris had a good update for me about my car today.

I ate my food quickly, avoided too much eye contact, paid my bill, and started the walk back to the bed and breakfast. Once there I went to my room and grabbed the laptop I had bought 5 days ago. I sat down in the common room and started looking at news in Alexandria. I didn't find anything about a missing man, but I hadn't really expected to. Not yet anyway. He would try to find me on his own first.

I checked the email I created a few weeks and hit reply to the job offer I had accepted last week. I sent off an email explaining my car troubles and that I was sorry for the delay but was hoping to be there by the end of next weekend.

I wasn't supposed to start until the following Monday but better safe then sorry. I couldn't have this job fall through.

"Chris said you were travelling through on your way to the west coast. Relocating for a job or a lover?" I jerked my gaze up and met Marys gaze before looking away. A lover. What a funny thought.

"Just relocating." I said with a fake smile before I closed my laptop and made my way back to my room.

________

About 5:30 pm a knock at my door made me jolt. I tried to breathe, slow my heart rate.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Chris. I just wanted to come give you an update on your car."

I opened the door and met his gaze. I thought I briefly saw some heat in his eyes but looked away. I wasn't here for that and I didn't need it. I stepped out and closed the door.

"We can sit out here if you'd like."

"How was your day?" he asked.

"Fine. So, what's the news on my car?"

You could tell that he was a bit surprised by my abruptness. I should probably relax slightly. I didn't need he or his sister to be suspicious. I relaxed my shoulder slightly.

"Sorry. My day was fine. How was yours?"

"Oh it was busy. Good. Thanks for askin. So. Your car. Like I said the engine block is cracked, so I ordered what I needed to today, and I also called one of my friends who is a mechanic at another shop and he's gonna help me speed up the process a bit. So, I estimate that your car should be done on Friday. I know that's a week from now, so I apologize for that."

I waved my hand slightly as I felt panic trying to take over again. "Not your fault. Thank you for the update." I couldn't afford a week of delay, but I guess I didn't have a choice. I had money, but not enough to just buy a new car. Especially not after the cost of the repair.

I made to stand up and he moved a little bit "Oh. Uhm. I did have one thing I wanted to ask ya."

I tensed up "Yes..."

"Well yesterday I noticed you had some tech equipment and it reminded me that we don't really have nobody here in town that is good with that kind of stuff. I've been needing some help and was wondering if you'd be willing to help me in return for some labor cost?"

I looked at him suspiciously "What kind of stuff?"

"Oh, well uhm...just some financial software and my website. I'd really like it to be in better shape. You could even work in my office over there this week while we fix your car?"

"Can I think about it and let you know Monday?" I stood up again, and at his nod went back to my room.

Work for him? It seemed genuine but I didn't really need the distraction. But I also didn't have anything else going on. I pulled my laptop out as I started thinking about it.

____________

Chris POV

I watched Nik go back in to his room and looked over at Mary.

"That boy is running from something." she said without looking up at me.

"What makes you say that?"

"He reminds me of me 10 years ago. When I was running from our parents."

I winced. Shifted. I looked back at his room and wondered if she was right. He did seem tense. But some people were just like that. I'm not too sure what made me think of the tech help, but it just popped into my head on the way here. I know there was a part of me that just wanted to see him, and I slightly hate that part of me.

"Also. Tech help?" I looked over at her smirk and told her to shut up.

I kissed her on the cheek and went out to my truck. Part of me hoping I would see him on Monday, and part of me hoping I wouldn't think of him at all.