“Yeah, but?—”
“More than some others, I’d say.”
“Sure, but?—”
“No buts.” He grinned. “Look, why don’t I drive you backto your hotel? Your car should be arriving in the next day or so, right?”
Here, I figured I could get a word in edgewise. “Port of Delta tomorrow. Someone from the front office offered to retrieve it for me.”
“Great. Well, I’ve got you tonight. Maybe we can eat in the hotel restaurant or in your room.”
I blinked. “Uh, sure.” I had no idea why Claus would want to come up to my room. But if he came up, then I wouldn’t be tempted to Facetime Coach again. Or, worse, show up in his room and kiss him again. Edge him again. Return the favor on that blowjob he’d so spectacularly bestowed upon me. “Give me a minute.”
“Yeah. I’ll meet you out front. I’ll let Coach know you don’t need a ride.”
“Oh, I don’t even know?—”
“Well, this way we’ll be sure.” He tossed his keys in the air, caught them, then strode out of the locker room.
Instead of trying to sort through what was going on, I dressed as quickly as I could, deciding damp hair wasn’t a big deal. Knowing my luck, it’d be pouring rain anyway. I had an aversion to umbrellas because I was always leaving them somewhere, but I was rethinking that. At the very least, I needed to wear hoodies any time I wasn’t required to wear a suit.
About five minutes later, I emerged into the parking lot.
Claus stood by Coach’s SUV.
Talking to him.
When he spotted me, though, he waved.
I thought he was beckoning me over, and I locked gazes with Coach, but Claus made it clear he wanted me to follow him straight to his car. I shrugged to Coach and slid into the passenger seat.
Claus didn’t speak. He secured his seat belt, started theengine, and pulled out of his parking space. We were about halfway to the hotel before I ventured to speak. “This is really nice of you. I appreciate it. I could’ve walked, though. I can’t believe it’s not raining.” The dark clouds portended rain, though.
“Well, not far out of my way.” He signaled and pulled into the parking lot. “I think a little bonding time is a good thing.”
“Uh, sure.” I injected as much enthusiasm as I could.What the fuck is going on?
He parked and cut the engine. “Let’s go.” He was out of the car before I even had my seat belt off.
Okay. Whatever’s with this.I exited the car and strode along with him to the front of the hotel. The doors swished open and, again, a blast of hot air hit me. I hadn’t realized just how cold the temperature was. I made a mental note to check the weather forecast. Abbotsford didn’t get a ton of snow. I had my snow tires on my car but more importantly, I’d learned most people in southwest British Columbia didn’t bother with snow tires and driving was hazardous as much for those crazy people as any treacherous road conditions.
Claus hit the up button on the elevator, and the door opened.
We stepped inside and I hit the button for three. I cast a surreptitious glance as the elevator rose.
He didn’t seem to notice.
The floor arrived, and we stepped out. I gestured for him to follow me down the hall. Soon enough I swiped my card, and we entered my room.
My mother had impressed on me the importance of an organized room to control my focus. If everything was in its place, I couldn’t be distracted. Since I’d managed to get through school without issues, I figured she must be right. Obviously housekeeping had made my bed, but the rest ofthe room was neat and tidy because of my mother’s wise words.
I closed the door. “So, do you want food?”
He nodded. “Yeah. They make a mean tuna poke bowl.” He snagged the phone. “What do you want?”
“Uh…a burger?” I liked tuna, but I wasn’t certain what form it would take in this bowl. I’d observe, and if it looked edible, I’d order it another time.
“Great.” He placed the order. After he hung up, he tossed thirty bucks onto the desk.