Fight, Jamiee - Ellie R. Hunter Page 0,2
They’re about to announce the winners. Let’s focus on winning.”
“If we lose to him, I’m slitting my wrists,” I huff.
Shit. I was so pumped to see Jamiee.
Leaning across the table, I reach for the bottle of whiskey and chug it from the bottle. People expect the rock and roll persona, and tonight, I have no problem delivering.
“There’s a party over at the Golden Bay Hotel after this. You up for it?” Baz asks.
It wasn’t how I wanted to end the night, but it’ll do now. If I drink enough, maybe I’ll be able to sleep tonight without her haunting me.
Digging my phone out of my pocket, I’m scrolling through my contacts list when suddenly, Jamiee’s name flashes across the screen.
In all these years, she hasn’t once returned my calls.
Not even a text.
Swivelling around on the chair, I turn my back to the table and answer, my heart pounding against my chest when I hear her voice.
“Freddie? Are you there?” she sobs down the line.
“I’m here.”
“I’m at the Rose Hotel. I need you.”
Finally. The words I’ve been longing to hear from her.
“I’m on my way.”
I’m on my feet, sliding my phone back into my pocket while looking for the exit before anyone can ask questions.
The hotel she’s at is halfway across town. Hailing a cab, we pull up twenty minutes later outside the hotel.
Digging out my phone, I call her back, thankful when she answers.
“I’m here. I need your room number, sweet thing.”
“Three-seventy-two.”
She doesn’t sound as upset now, but I still move quickly. Walking into her room, I find her sitting in a long tee, her bare knees pulled up to her chest in the middle of the bed, blood trickling down her chin, and a bruise forming over her perfect cheekbone.
Rushing over to her, I climb on the bed and tip her head back to get a better look—being as gentle as possible—as her eyes flutter closed.
“What the fuck, Jamiee?”
“Please, get me out of here. I don’t want to be here when he gets back.”
When she opens her eyes, they’re full of sadness.
“Are you saying Deacon did this to you?”
“I’m asking you to get me out of here. Then, I’ll tell you everything,” she pleads.
“I packed my things while I was waiting for you.”
I look over to the two bags sitting by the door and turn my attention back to her. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”
Shaking her head, a single tear falls. But before I can catch it, she swipes it away and climbs off the bed.
Following her, I grab hold of her bags while she shrugs into her coat. She can barely look me in the eye, but when we leave, she comes to my side and I wrap my arm around her. If she needs to be close to me to feel safe, I’m here for her, and I need her to know it.
As we step out into the corridor, she tenses against me, like she’s afraid we’ll bump into Lockheart. I can’t distinguish if my heart’s breaking for her, or if it’s my blood boiling with rage, wanting to see him.
We make it out onto the street where the doorman flags us down a cab. Jamiee keeps her head down, hiding the marks on her face from everyone who passes by. Once the cab slows to a stop in front of us, I move us forward and usher her into the back seat before handing her bags to the driver. Slipping in beside her, she snuggles against me. For a split second, I forget why she’s clinging to me and breathe in her cherry-scented shampoo, bringing back memories of showering and washing her hair with the stuff. Before I can get lost in those memories, the cab is pulling up outside my hotel. Shit! I gave the last of my cash to the cabby who drove me to her. Seeing my dilemma, Jamiee digs out two twenty-dollar bills and throws them over the driver’s shoulder.
Walking briskly through the lobby without incident, and up in the elevator to our floor, I swipe the key card and lead her into our suite. Once inside, I take her into my room and sit her down on my bed.
Crouching before her, I ask, “Do you need anything?”
Her head nods slowly. As I stare into her eyes, her hand latches onto mine.
“I need to wash him off of me.”
Tugging my hand away from hers, I head for the bathroom and turn on the faucets, adding the hotel’s luxurious bubble bath to the