Page 23 of Bleed Me

CHAPTER SIX

Art’s voice traveled into my head, pounding through the skull trying to contain my brain. “Here’s some water and Advil.” My sandpaper eyes refused to open, nor could I lift my head. “Puking on your Sergeant at Arms wasn’t your slickest move. Get up. Now you pay.”

“Sergeant in what? Pay?” croaked my desert-dry vocal cords. “I don’t have money.”

“Don’t need cash for this payment.”

“Where were you last night?”

“Damn. How tore up were you? I got laid by a bunny, then was partying with you, dipshit.”

Rolling over, I winced for a few reasons. Pain being one of them, but I was hungover as hell and also envisioning Art fucking a rabbit. “A bunny? What are you talking about?”

He chuckled. “You know. Tail. ‘Fucks like a rabbit’. Club girl.”

I rolled to the side of the bed, hung my head over the edge, and puked.

“Dude! Crawl to the bathroom! You’re fuckin’ up your room!”

Wiping my mouth, I peered around. “I already have my own room?” I was back in the room I had woken in the night before.

His cell vibrated in his pocket. “Hello? What? Your brother didn’t tell you?”

Even through the nausea, my body froze. Viola.

“No. We’re in Austin… Is—” Art stopped when eyeing me. He put his back to me as if that would stop me from hearing him whisper, “—she okay?”

My eyes closed so I could continue with my new mantra. I am James Gunn Dalton.I am James Gunn Dalton. I took a deep breath and pushed forward…

In my bathroom, I looked around at the ivory tile and walls. The bathroom was considerably nicer than the dark bedroom. There were clean white towels folded on the counter and a little travel set of supplies like a toothbrush and razor. I threw the razor in the trash. I was to grow a beard. The mirror reflection showed I was already well on my way. My unbandaged hand rubbed at the scruff I’d never let grow out before. At least it was helping cover the bruises. The thought of why I deserved them, and the overdose of alcohol, had me rushing to the toilet and purging some more.

After brushing my teeth, I stared at the shower. It was time to rinse away my past.

Stripping out of the clothes Art had given me felt so… wrong. It was as if I was removing my last memories of a life I had treasured. One I would never get back.

Luckily, the hot water had me relaxing and breathing easier. There were full bottles of shampoo and soap. There was even a loofa thing to scrub with. Delilah used to have one just like—

I slammed my hands over my face. I had to stop thinking of her!

The wet bandage now touching my face annoyed my exposed nerves to the point I ripped it off in haste and threw it out of the shower, not caring where it landed.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“What?” I grumbled at Art, who would soon be driving back to a little town that I was already missing.

“I’m sorry,” said the gentle voice I heard the night prior when I woke in my room. Through the door, she told me, “I have some fresh clothes for you.”

“Sorry. I thought you were someone else.”

“Can I come in?”

Checking the curtain was properly closed, I answered, “Uh, yeah. Sure.”

Through the curtain, I watched her petite shadow set folded clothes on the counter. She bent over and grabbed my dirty ones.

“No,” I insisted, “I can clean up after myself.”

She also tossed my wet bandage in the trash can. “It’s my job. Each girl has certain members they take care of. You’re one of mine. I’ll wash these.” She walked toward the shower. “If you ever need anything… just let me know.”