AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I set the items down on the counter and reach for my wallet.
He waves a sympathetic hand. “On me tonight, pal.”
I pause. Guess he remembers me just fine.
I’ve encountered this kind of thing plenty before. In the end, it’s best not to turn it down. It fills my stomach and makes them feel good about themselves. Win-win.
He eyes the patch on my jacket. “Thank you for your service,” he says.
“Thanks.”
I take the water and sandwich and walk out with them back to my car.
There’s some trash on the backseat. I gather the empty bottles and food wrappers and toss them in the trashcan outside the gym. I grab an extra blanket from the trunk as well. Can’t have too many of those.
I toss it onto my backseat on the way in and close the door behind me. Only a little bit of light from outside manages to slip in through the window covers. I won’t need much anyway.
I set my watch to go off at seven as another hunger pang rattles my gut. I tear open the sandwich wrapper and take a quick bite of the corner. The bread is a bit moist but it’s food. Free food. Won’t complain.
I lay down on the seat with bent knees, resting my head on the small pillow against the door.
This time next week, I could be anywhere but here. It’s hard not to get excited.
Even harder not to think about Nora Payne.
I want to submit to you.
Blood spreads a little faster through my limbs. Good. If those six little words get me through another day, then I’m happy. Six little words until six o’clock tomorrow. I can do that.
I’ve been through much worse.
