Ditched

Chapter 5

I cried my way through the remainder of Minnesota and the entire state of North Dakota. That’s right, a little over eight hours of seemingly endless tears. I lowered the passenger seat back as far as it would go, curled up as much as I could and drenched my bunched up cardigan with teardrops. I managed to keep the sobs to a minimum but the tears seemed endless. Max never said a word and I never appreciated his friendship more. He simply turned the radio to a respectable volume and let me be.



***



“Holly, you awake?” Max asked. His hand settled on my hip as he gave me a shake.

I nodded, squinting. I closed my bleary eyes for a moment as I rolled myself into a sitting position. I realized I had dozed off. I felt bad. This should’ve been a nice, quiet, relaxing drive for Max. Instead, I’d turned it into a crying-fest. I didn’t even have the decency to stay awake and keep him company during the long haul after the sun had set. Then again, he was probably glad that I’d drifted off.

It meant he didn’t have to listen to me anymore.

The first thing I noticed when I sat up was that it was dark. A glance at the glowing dashboard clock confirmed it was after midnight.

“Where are we?” I asked. It was clear we were in a parking lot.

The sickly yellow beams of the parking lot lights glowed around us. In the beams of the headlights I could see the brown wood siding of a building.

“Middle of nowhere.” He let out a little laugh. “Actually, we crossed into Montana a little while back. This is the first town with a hotel.”

“Oh,” I said with a little nod. I added a yawn as Max reached for the door handle.

His expression was full of concern. “Maybe you want to wait here while I check in? You’re looking kind of…out of sorts.”

“Is that a polite way of saying I look like hell? And that you’d rather not be seen with me?” I asked, forcing what I could of a smile. I couldn’t blame him. I felt like hell. My skin burned from where my salty tears had been eating away at it all day. My eyes felt gritty and puffy. My nose felt swollen and sore. If I looked as bad as I felt, I didn’t want to be seen.

He grimaced but looked slightly amused nonetheless. “Yeah, it kind of is. Then again, maybe you should come in with me. It’s late and I’m not sure I want you out here alone.”

I shrugged. “I’ll be fine. I can wait.”

“Keep the doors locked. I’ll be right back.” He climbed out of the car, clicking the locks shut with his key fob. He glanced around the parking lot and somehow, I found it amusing. I wondered if he was scoping out the place for danger. When he reached the doors that led in, he glanced back. I gave him a little wave and he disappeared inside.

I craned my head around, taking in the parking lot myself. It seemed as if Max had taken the last available parking spot. The place we were staying was small. It wasn’t a chain hotel. At least, not one I’d ever heard of. What little I could see of the town gave me the impression that it was…well, little.

With nothing else to do, I had my phone in my hand before I could think it through. It took what felt like forever to power up and find a signal. Once it had, I was wishing I hadn’t bothered. The number of texts and missed calls were a bit overwhelming. I noticed most were from my mother, a few from my friends.

Not a single one was from Collin.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. I wasn’t going to dwell on it. At least, not right then.

There was only one missed call from Lanna. As far as I was concerned, it was the only important call. It was for sure the only one I felt it necessary to respond to.

“I didn’t think you were ever going to call me back!” Lanna cried in greeting.

“I’ve had my phone off,” I explained. “Just like you told me to do.”

“Good girl. So where are you?”

“Montana, I guess. We just got to the hotel. Max is checking us in,” I explained.

“So, how are you doing? No, wait,” she cut in. “Don’t answer that. I already know how you’re doing. Tell me something I don’t know. How was the car ride?” I hesitated and she jumped in again. “Please tell me you went easy on Max? Please tell me you didn’t burden him too much with your woes?”

“My woes?” I asked. Despite myself, I smiled.

“You know what I mean. That boy didn’t hesitate to whisk you away. I don’t want you to make him regret it.” She paused. “I mean that in the kindest way possible, you know.”

“I know. You’re right. It was nice of him to let me tag along. I don’t want to make him regret it, either.” Then and there, I promised myself I would do my best to be in a better mood in the morning. What Collin had done wasn’t Max’s fault. He shouldn’t be forced to be the one that had to listen to the fall-out.

“Good.”

“So…um…” I started.

Lanna knew exactly what I wanted to ask, despite my inability to get the words out.

“It broke into complete chaos. Dexter pretty much attacked Collin right there in the church. There were punches and screams and some tipped over flowers. I think he was more pissed off for you than he was himself. This is definitely the most scandalous thing to hit Chamberlain in ages! It was awesome,” She stopped herself abruptly. “I mean, the whole thing is tragic, really.”

I sighed. “Is Dexter okay? I mean, the tramp was his girlfriend.”

She snorted at me. “Was,” she agreed. “Her walk of shame from the church was epic. It’s a good thing that people didn’t have access to garbage or tomatoes. I’m pretty sure they would’ve thrown them at her. Then again, that would’ve been fitting for the sleazy tramp.”

As if sensing I didn’t really want to discuss the aforementioned sleazy tramp, she abruptly changed the subject. “Have you talked to your mom?”

“Nope,” I replied.

“Good.” Her tone was firm. “She called me when she couldn’t get through to you. She found your note. I assured her you were well taken care of. I also told her that she should back off and give you some space.”

I groaned. “I bet that went over well.”

I could picture her shrugging on the other end. “Eh, she already hates me. What did I have to lose?”

This was true. Mom had never liked Lanna. My mother believed women should be soft-spoken and demure. Lanna was neither.

“How’s Max doing?” she wondered.

“Um, I don’t know. Fine?” I thought it was a strange question for her to ask. “I mean, he’s putting up with me. If that’s what you’re wondering.”

“Of course he is,” she cheerily replied.

“He’s being really sweet,” I tacked on. I wasn’t sure what answer she was looking for.

“He’s always really sweet,” she said. “That’s the kind of guy that should be stealing your heart.”

“You do realize I just walked out of my own wedding. Today, in fact,” I reminded her. “Don’t you think it’s a little soon to be thinking about anyone stealing my heart?”

Not that Max would want it.

But that wasn’t really the point.

“It’s never too soon for love.”

I would’ve rolled my eyes in response. But they were too worn out from all of the tears.

“Holly?” Her tone had changed, softened.

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad you didn’t marry that dirt bag. What kind of guy cheats on his fiancé right before their wedding with his brother’s girlfriend? That’s practically incestuous.”

I couldn’t help but shake my head at her reasoning.

“I know today probably seems like the worst day of your life. And I know how hard it was for you to walk away. Not just from Collin but also from what your parents wanted. But honestly, I don’t just think it’s for the best. I know it’s for the best. You deserve so much better than him.”

I had thought I was done crying for the day. I was wrong. The tears poured down in a gush. I tried to say something to Lanna but only managed to emit a strangled, gasping sound.

“Oh, babe, I didn’t mean to make you cry,” she said. “I just want you to know I stand behind you. Completely. I wish I could’ve been the one to take you away. But you’re lucky you have Max.”

“I know,” I finally choked out.

“Okay, I’m going to let you go. You need to pull yourself together before he comes back. But keep in touch!” she ordered. “Make sure you call. No texting. Or at least, not a lot of texting. Texting is lame.” I had to smile at that. Lanna was the only person under thirty that I knew who had an aversion to texting. I was sure it was because it hindered her intrinsic nosiness. “I don’t get enough details when you text.”

I wasn’t sure what details she was looking for but I agreed and we disconnected.

I rested my head back in the seat and took several deep breaths.

No more dumping on Max. Starting now, I told myself.

I blotted away the tears and tried to think happy thoughts. At first I didn’t think any would come to me. Then I started thinking ahead, to California. To a house on the beach. To days far, far away from Chamberlain. To just being with Max. I let out a little sigh because just thinking about Max made me feel better.

By the time he emerged from the office, with a keycard in his hand and a frown on his face, I was fairly sure I didn’t look any worse than I had when he went in. Obviously, that wasn’t saying a whole lot about my current state.

“Small problem,” he said as he dropped himself back into the seat.

“What?” I wondered.

“Well, when I made the reservation, I just made it for myself.” He stopped, probably to let the words sink in. “My room only has one bed. I thought about it earlier, figured once we got here, I could just get you your own room. Or at least upgrade to a bigger room. But it’s the weekend and it’s tourist season and they don’t have anything else. I even asked if they could check around, see if there was anything else in the area. That’s what took so long. But there’s not.”

“Oh. I can sleep on the floor.” I made the offer, not really thinking it through. As soon as I did think it through, I changed my mind. Hotels were usually gross enough. I’d heard about the terrifying things that made their homes in hotel bedspreads. Floors had to be just as bad, or worse. “Or here,” I quickly added. “I can sleep here. In the car.”

“You’re not sleeping in the car. Neither am I,” he said. “We’re sharing the bed. I just wanted to give you a few minutes to get used to the idea.”

“Okay,” I said with a nod. I was relieved, actually. I already had a cramp in my neck and my body ached from spending so many hours in whatever position I’d been in. Not to mention the leather of Max’s seat felt sticky. I was wearing shorts and a tank top and it was not at all inviting on my bare skin.

He got out and I followed. When he opened the trunk he took a step back. “How much of this do you need?” he wondered as he eyed up my enormous suitcase.

“I’m good with this,” I said. I plucked out what was supposed to be my carry-on for the flight that never was. It had enough to get me through the weekend. By that time, we should be in California.

He grabbed his duffel bag and we made our way inside.

I was pleasantly surprised with the hotel. It wasn’t fancy but it seemed clean enough. It didn’t smell bad, which is always a perk. The room was small with one double bed. There was one rickety dresser with a tiny, ancient looking television on it. Max flipped it on as he tossed his bag down onto the plaid comforter.

My hair was a mess from too much hairspray and the rain. I just wanted to wash away the feeling of ick that the day had drenched me in. “I need to take a shower.” I placed my own bag on the bed and started rummaging through it.

“Uh,” Max said with a frown. “You do that. I’m going to just…go for a walk.”

He was out the door before I could respond. I wondered when Max had started taking walks. My mind was hazy and worn out but I finally realized maybe he thought it would be too awkward. Him sitting here in the tiny room, me just a flimsy wall away. In the shower…not wearing anything…

Yes, okay. I kind of understood his sudden desire to flee.

I hurried into the bathroom, wanting to be done before he got back.

I was.

I was tucked into bed when he returned. I was staring at the grainy picture on the television. I had no idea what was on because I wasn’t really seeing it.

Max knocked on the door, hesitated and then opened it a crack. “Are you, you know, dressed and stuff? I mean, can I come in?”

“Yeah, come in.” I shifted in the bed, pulling the covers up tighter. One of the many things I hadn’t thought through when I left in such a rush was the choice of pajamas I’d tossed in my bag. I’d planned on being on my honeymoon. Not on an escape mission. I was just grateful that I’d tossed something somewhat decent into the carry-on. Decent. Cotton. Yet still a little flimsy for my current circumstances.

Max poked his head around the corner. “Okay, well, you should try to go to sleep because we have to leave early.”

I nodded. It was well after midnight now. I didn’t even want to know how early we needed to get a start on the day.

I heard the bathroom door click shut. He reemerged a few minutes later, smelling all minty and fresh. He flipped off the television and I heard him shuffling toward the bed.

“Are you doing okay?” he asked as he edged himself in. He bounced around, readjusting the blankets. I could tell he’d scooted himself to the outer edge. It still didn’t put a lot of distance between us because Max was a big guy. And the bed was small.

“Mhhhmm.” It was the only response I could muster. Now that the lights were off, my exhaustion was wearing down my resolve. Being here, in a strange place, I felt completely alone. I knew it was absurd to think that way. But I was too drained to think rationally.

“You better not even think of crying,” Max softly warned. I felt a tear trickle down. I wanted to refute him. Instead, I wondered why he had to know me so well. “Holly,” his voice floated through the darkness. “No crying in my bed. That just wouldn’t be right.”

“Sorry,” I managed to mutter. “I just…”

“What?” he demanded when I faded off.

“It’s stupid.”

“It’s not stupid,” he said. His tone was consoling and it made me feel even worse.

I gave a shrug he couldn’t see. “I just feel so…alone.” Or abandoned. Maybe that was a better word.

“Holly,” he said and the mattress dipped as he moved toward me. His arms slid around me and I didn’t question how good it felt when he hugged me to him. “You’re right. That is stupid. You’re not alone. I’m right here.”