Rocked Up

“You didn’t notice this vehicle until just now?” The cop questions.

“Oh, that one. Okay, yeah, I noticed that one. I thought you meant the one next to it, that Corolla there. No, yes, I noticed that one. Sure, yeah.” Lael’s strange accent sounds different than when she began.

I look at her in complete bewilderment.

“Where are you folks from?” the cop asks, sounding suspicious. I have to say I can’t blame the guy.

“Australia. My name is Mildred and this is my husband…Tom,” Lael replies in a very non-Australian accent.

“Sir, did you witness anything in regards to this vehicle?”

I clear my throat. “When Mildred was in the restroom I saw some teenagers park this vehicle here. I think they ran off in that direction. They seemed to be drinking.” I try to match her crazy accent which has me sounding like both an Englishman and a Jamaican. Maybe with a bit of Norwegian thrown in. I’ll blame Roar for that one.

“Could you describe them to me?”

“I’m afraid I cannot. They seemed pretty wild, and I didn’t want to get their attention so I did my best not to look at them.”

“Right,” the cop says after a few long beats, looking us over. “All right, well, enjoy your dinner, folks. I hope you enjoy your stay here in Santa Fe.” As wary as the cop seems, he thankfully puts his attention back on the dune buggy that is now being loaded onto a tow truck.

“What the hell was that?” I whisper to Lael. Her face is beet red and terrified. “Why the accent and fake names? Australia? That accent wasn’t even close.”

“I don’t know, I don’t know,” she says, and doesn’t blink as she downs a full glass of champagne.

“You’re nuts,” I say with a smile.

“I think I’m going to have a heart attack,” she says.

“You’re going to give me a heart attack,” I chide her.

“I must tell you now, I’m not a very good liar.”

“You don’t say,” I answer while laughing.

Lael covers her mouth, trying to hold back her laughter. “Oh my god, I don’t know. I got nervous.”

“Alright, Mildred. I’m taking you home.” I put some money on the table and we begin the short walk to our hotel. We walk arm-in-arm, breaking in and out of whatever accent Lael was performing earlier. Since it’s rare that I drink, I’m definitely feeling the effects of the champagne.

In our hotel, riding up the elevator, Lael hugs my arm as if it were her pillow. My concern about what is right or wrong concerning Lael are all but gone as I look down at her.

Her teal hair over the tanned skin of her shoulders is a beautiful sight. I want to press her against the wall and kiss her. I’m finally in the moment and it’s all I want, all I care about.

I don’t give in, but I do hold her close, and I know she can feel my affection.

The elevator door opens and we step into the hall.

“I’m this way,” I say, pointing down the hall.

“I’m this way.” Lael points in the opposite direction.

Neither of us turn to walk away. We stand in the hall in silence holding eye contact. I know I’m going to kiss her, but I take my time. I like the way she’s looking at me, and I can feel my lips curling into a smile. We haven’t touched yet, but something has already begun and there’s no turning back.

I reach out and hold both of her hands as she begins to run her fingers softly against my palms. I pull her in and she puts her hand on my chest. Our eyes are still locked on each other, and with every passing second the intensity increases.

I don’t have to make an effort; rather I submit to the gravity pulling me into her. I grab the back of her head. Her soft lips are open and we melt into each other. I’m becoming desperate to feel her skin on mine, our breaths are deepening, our hearts are racing, and our eyes are closed. Gently, I bite her bottom lip, and she responds by kissing me harder.

Ding.

The elevator door begins to open and we plummet back to reality. We take a step back from each other, trying not to make it obvious to Arnie who is standing there awkwardly with a pizza and a six-pack of beer.

“Don’t stay up too late now. Big day tomorrow, aye?” Arnie says, his eyes darting around as he shifts his shoulders. He’s clearly aware he interrupted something.

“Goodnight, Arnie,” I say as he passes by. “Goodnight, Lael” I say to her more forcefully so that Arnie takes note.

I take in a slow, deep breath, trying to settle down. Arnie is fumbling with his room key only steps away and I try not to look at him.

“Goodnight, Brad,” she says, one eyebrow raised. Arnie has the door open but he’s struggling with the pizza, six-pack, and the self-closing door.

Lael struts down the hallway, swishing her hips side to side like she’s performing a seductive dance. I watch her disappear around the corner—she never looks back.

Arnie’s door finally snaps shut, and I’m alone. I’ve been wondering what kissing her would be like since the audition when she surprised me with her force and commitment. I can still feel her lips on mine. I want nothing more than to knock on her door and pick up where we left off. Whatever is happening between Lael and I is something new to me, and the way she kissed me has left me high. The image of her face is burned into my brain. I can still feel her lips and her touch. Her smell is still in the air, and her energy is inside me, running through my veins and exploding in my heart. I walk back to my room with a smile on my face.

I feel weightless.





Chapter Ten





Lael




Holy fucking shit.

What the hell just happened?

I have barely any time to process the thoughts before I’m zombie walking across the hotel room and flopping over like deadweight onto the bed.

After the insane and ridiculous day I’ve had, I should be passing right out. I’m beyond exhausted and that kiss with Brad made my legs feel even weaker.

But I can’t pass out. It’s late and I can’t sleep. I can’t do anything but lie here and replay everything in my head, over and over again.

Never mind how the day started out. That crazy Norwegian fucker Roar showing up and then all of us piling into that SUV with the sawed-off roof and the seats that aren’t actually seats but somehow a couch. Then us being shuttled off to his compound in the desert where I fired a gun for the first time in my life.

Then the walk through the desert with Brad, which lead to moments I’d only dreamed about, a closeness I’ve been craving. I know I’ve been bold with him, terribly bold, but it’s the only way I know how to be. He just does something to me that brings it out, that makes me stop being afraid. I swear I could do anything to him, say anything (and from the way I was blabbering, I’m pretty sure I have) and it wouldn’t matter. Brad can take what I’m giving.

And I can take what he’s giving.

And I want more of it.