“So you’re not going to talk to me?” Steve asks.
I stare straight ahead. I’m not making chitchat with this guy. He thinks he can waltz into my life after seventeen years and order me around? Welcome to parenthood, Steve. You’re in for a bumpy ride.
“Ella, you can’t honestly believe I’d allow you to continue living with the Royals with your boyfriend down the hall.”
It’s probably childish, but I continue to give Steve the silent treatment. Besides, if I open my mouth, something bad’s going to come out. Such as, Where the hell were you when my mom was dying of cancer? Oh, that’s right, you were hang-gliding with your evil wife.
He sighs, and we finish the ride up to the penthouse in silence. The doors open into a wide hallway. Steve leads me down the hall, rolling my suitcase behind him. He presses the keycard against the door at the end of the hall.
Inside, I find a living room, a dining room, and a set of stairs. I’ve spent my share of time in crappy, low-budget hotel rooms, and the stairs have never been inside a room before. I try not to gawk, but it’s hard.
Steve picks up a leather pad from the table. “Before I show you your room, why don’t you have a look? We’ll order room service while you get settled.”
“We just ate an hour ago,” I remind him in disbelief.
He shrugs. “I’m hungry again. Should I order a salad for you, Dinah?” he yells.
Dinah appears at the top of the stairs. “That’d be fine.”
“Why don’t you call this in while I show Ella around?” He waves the menu and then sets it back on the table. Without waiting for an answer, he places a hand on my back and pushes me forward. “I’ll take the T-bone. Rare, please.”
Past the dining room is another door. Steve opens it and gestures for me to come inside. “This is your room. It has an exterior door that leads to the hall. You’ll need your key to get up to this floor.” He holds out a plastic card, which I reluctantly pocket. “There’s daily maid service and twenty-four-hour room service. Feel free to order whatever you like. I can afford it.” He winks. I’m too busy looking around to respond. “Do you want someone up here to unpack for you?” he continues. “Dinah can help you if you’d like.”
Dinah would probably rather drink a bottle of bleach than help me.
I muster up a, “No, thank you,” which generates another big smile from Steve. He apparently thinks we’re getting along swimmingly. I’m wondering if I can get the front desk to create a new keycard for Reed. Exterior door? Maybe I won’t hate it here.
“All right. If you need anything, just holler. We’re in tight quarters here, I know, but it’ll only be a couple of weeks.” He taps the top of the suitcase before leaving.
Tight quarters? Granted, the room is smaller than my bedroom at the Royals’, but it’s still larger than any place I’ve ever lived before. Definitely larger than any hotel room I’ve ever stayed in. I didn’t even realize they made hotel rooms this large.
Ignoring my suitcase, I throw myself on the bed and text Reed.
I have an exterior door.
He texts back immediately. I’m on my way.
I wish.
I can b…
Steve wld lose it.
Don’t kno whts up his ass. He’s had more women than a rock star.
That’s a lovely thought. Pls stop with the ur dad is a dog comments. It really grosses me out.
Kk. Virgin. How is everything else?
I’m a virgin bc u won’t give it up.
I will, baby. U kno I’m dying 2. Wait till this is all cleared up.
I’m not visiting u in prison. BTW.
Not going to prison.
Whatevr. What ru doing?
In response, I get a picture of him and his brothers sitting in my bedroom.
Why?
Why what? Why r we in ur room? Game’s on.
U have a media room.
We like it here. Besides, E says ur room is full of good luck.
I groan. Easton has gambling issues. A bookie once attacked us outside a club and I had to pay him off.
E betting on anything?
If he is, he’s winning bc he’s not shitting a brick over the score. I’ll watch ovr ur little East, don’t u worry.
Ha. Thanks. I miss every1.
A knock sounds at the door.
“Yeah?” I’m not happy at the interruption and make no effort to keep the irritation out of my voice.
“It’s Dinah,” comes the equally irritated response. “We’re ready to eat.”
“I’m not eating,” I call back.
She laughs cruelly from behind the door. “As you shouldn’t. You could stand to lose a few pounds. But your father has requested your presence, Princess.”
I clench my teeth. “Fine. I’ll be right out.”
Gotta go. Eating with Dinah & S. 8-)
* * *