2 Hours and 37 Minutes

Chapter 6

Cassidy's POV 

            I was currently sitting on the plush bed within our suite fiddling with the tassels on the gold blanket at the foot of the bed while Jack paced the length of the room seething and muttering curse words worthy of a sailor. When he caught a glimpse of me, his tension seemed to leak out.

            “Cass, I’m sorry, I just worry about you,” he said. Coming over to sit on my left, he placed a calming hand on my shoulder.

            “I know, and I love you for it, but sooner or later you’re gonna have to let me do my own thing,” I replied calmly. Always the mature one in this relationship. With a resigned sigh, he nodded his head sadly clearly defeated. Pick your battles wisely, brother.

            “You’re right, and I know you’re right, but if you need anything, you can come to me,” he added softly. I didn’t respond; I just wrapped my arms around him in a hug. There was no hesitation on his part; his arms can around me instantly. My small frame was practically swallowed by his larger one.

            “Now that that’s done and out of the way, I don’t know about you, but I want to hit the pool,” I said brightly with a wide grin on my face. He had a wicked grin that matched my own and nodded. Squealing, I leaped off the bed and tore my suitcase open to find my swimsuit. Once I found my intended target, I bounced to the bathroom to change.

            The bathroom was just as spectacular as the rest of the hotel: more marbled floor, stand in shower, Jacuzzi tub, twin sinks, and a whole wall covered by a mirror. Holy fudge, my room back home could fit in here.

            Stripping down my attire, I put on my swimsuit: a black bikini top and graphic printed swim trunks. I took off my jewelry and lathered myself in tanning lotion. I exited the bathroom. Jack glared at the amount of skin that was showing, but it subsided when I put on my white cover up. I slipped on my Yellowbox flip-flops that I brought and grabbed my shades and Clockwork Prince for poolside. I don’t even really plan on swimming that much right now; I just want to read and work on my tan. With a glance at the mirror on the opposite, I was pleased with what I saw and looked at Jack expectantly who was sitting in a white t shirt and orange swim trunks on the couch flipping through channels on the flat screen television.

            “Oh, you go ahead I’ll be down in a minute; I familiarizing myself with the channels,” he added cheekily after he noticed my look, “I’ll tell Mom and Dad when I head out.”

            “See ya later alligator,” I threw over my shoulder as I exited the room, but not before snatching my purse off the back of a chair in the in the dining area where I left it at. Walking towards the elevator, I noticed a guy around my age maybe a little older approaching the elevator from the other end of the hall. He had dark brown hair that looked like he’d been running his hands through and piercing green eyes that widened in recognition when he looked at me. Who is this guy? I’ve never seen him before in my life. He looked like some kind of skater with his dark jeans that weren’t quite skinny jeans but close to it, blue v neck t shirt, and purple Vans. I noticed that he too had a little hoop that looped on his bottom lip. It looks better on him. I thought with a smirk as I thought about Nick earlier.

            I reached the elevator first and pushed the down arrow. When it dinged, he motioned for me to go first. I greatly accepted and entered the elevator for the second time today and punched the button for the lobby. The doors closed, and we stood there in silence for a moment before the lights started flickering. Oh dear.