Page 69 of Beautiful Deceit
After breakfast Beau tells me to get dressed, "I hate to say it, but you gotta put some clothes on sweetness. I've got some stuff to do, and I was hoping you'll come with." I throw on jeans and a pale blue sweater, braiding my hair over my shoulder while I look for my gray short biker boots.
I run to the bathroom before we leave to add mascara and lip balm and check myself in the mirror.
Beau is dressed as I walk back into the room. He’s grabbed the same shirt from yesterday and is sliding his shoes on to his bare feet.
"I gotta get my bag," he says absentmindedly.
"You know you don't have to keep staying here," I say truthfully. I'd like it if he did.
He looks up,"I was kinda hoping you'd let me stay. I'm not going back to Tasha's." He seems unsure. It's strange to see Beau hesitant.
I try and hide the smile that wants to erupt, "Sure. Yeah, I don't mind at all." His demeanor shifts, and he's back to the cocky rake.
He leers at me before adding, "I wasn't going to leave if you asked. I would have just convinced you to let me stay."
"Maybe I should have held out. I think I'd like to see how you'd motivate me." I can tell I've shocked him by the look on his face, but he throws his head back and laughs.
"You never fail to surprise me Sweets." he laughs.
The smile on my face must be huge, and I don't want it to ever go away.
We walkthrough the city with no destination in mind for the time being. He asks to see some of my favorite places. A few people notice him, but no one stops us. He holds my hand as the crowd grows thick. Sometimes when it gets too much, he wraps his arms over my shoulder keeping me close to him. I steer him to a few less populated areas and side streets.
It's early evening when he finally tells me he needs to get the rest of his stuff from Tasha's.
"You don't have to come in, I'm not sure if she's even still there." He looks down at his phone. It's not the first time today I've seen him check it. I'm conflicted because I want to go in to make sure nothing happens, but I don't want her to cause another scene if I do go with him.
He solves my dilemma, by saying, "She's called and texted a couple times. She said her flight out was at one. She won't be there. Do you mind coming up? I'd rather you stay with me."
"That's fine. I'll come up," I say as we walk through to lobby and to the elevators. Without her around there's no reason not to.
I'm still apprehensive about all the alcohol so I decide to just ask him. As we get on the elevator I ask, "So that fridge had tons of beer. Do you usually keep that much on hand?" I peer at him out of the corner of my eye. That sounded a bit too obvious.
"Mmm?" He hums distractedly.
I finally ask directly, "Do you drink all the time, like everyday?" There I said it. The doors to the elevator opens, but he doesn't move to walk out. I step forward thinking he's waiting for me, but his hand grasps onto mine so I look back.
"No Sammy. I do have a beer sometimes, but I'm not that person. I would never hurt you, no matter how messed up I was."
I wave my hand dismissively, "I know. I'm just being crazy."
"Don't do that. Don't act like it doesn't bother you if it does. Just promise to talk to me. Okay?"
I nod and answer, "Yeah okay." It seems simple enough when he says it.
The doors start to close. I push the hold button so we won’t be stuck.
As we approach the door Beau admits, "I didn't even realize I kept the keys until I showered at Brian's, I mean your place where Brian is staying. I'm glad I did though because I don't want to deal with this shit again. I'll just leave them on the counter on our way out." He unlocks the door as he finishes speaking.
Everything looks exactly like yesterday. The rooms we can see are mostly empty. He doesn't waste time with drinks, just walks down the hallway to go to the room he was presumably staying in.
I follow behind him slowly. An open door to the left shows a small bathroom. Another door on the same wall is closed. He moves to the only door on the right and opens it, revealing a dark room. He flips a switch, illuminating a small bedroom done up in the same minimalistic way. The bed is huge and low to the ground with a wide wooden edge surrounding it. I turn my head from the mussed-up sheets, wondering if it was only him sleeping in them over the last few weeks.
Beau walks through an open doorway to a bathroom and walks back out quickly with a small leather shaving kit in one hand and a bottle of what appears to be shampoo in the other. Next, he opens the only other door in the room, exposing a small walk-in closet. I hear a few clings as he pulls things from hangers before he walks out with a large suitcase. I don't see any other items around the room. Does he have no personal possessions?
"Shit," he curses.
"What wrong?" I ask, stepping further into the room.
