Tori stepped forward. “Meet me in the conference room. I’m ready to go over tape.”
And by the time she was finished reaming us out, showing us all the ways we’d screwed up last night, as well as where we might be able to actually beat Belleville, I was beyond exhausted.
As Lous predicted, Hairs took off as soon as we got back to the hotel. Where the fuck he was going in this town, I had no idea. I’d played here any number of times and hadn’t heard of any hotspots worth visiting. Which maybe wasn’t fair. Perhaps Belleville had a thriving nightlife.
I always pronounced the name incorrectly.
Or correctly, depending on one’s perspective. I saidvillelike it was a town in France rather than the English pronunciation. I heard Mom’s lilt when I said it.
I flopped on the bed and eyed the clock radio.
5:57.
So I could catch the six o’clock news. And I could pick between English and French because Hairs wasn’t here to annoy. In all truth, though, I doubted he’d be annoyed by French. He’d be too busy trying to figure out where to go to party. Hell, he was probably getting laid as well.
A knock sounded at my door.
I padded over, expecting Lous.
Or maybe Claus.
Nope. Fucking Jack.
At my door.
Looking adorably sexy with his hair a little disheveled.
I eyed him. “What do you want?”
“I’d like to discuss that play you suggested.”
I blinked. “What play?”
“Can I come in, or do you want to go down to the restaurant? I need to discussthat play.”
I glanced down at my socked feet. “Let me put on shoes. No way are you coming into this room.” Not only because Hairs had left it a pigsty again, but because nothing good would come of the two of us in a room together.
Alone.
I shoved my feet into my running shoes and tied them in a way that would make my mother shudder. Shoe tying had not been something I took to, and we’d spent hours of her precious time teaching me. Meanwhile, skate laces were the easiest things in the world to do up.
Another memory.
Thanks, Mom. I promise I’ll do the right thing.
I ensured I had my keycard, and then I stepped into the hallway.
Jack stopped his pacing.
I gestured toward the elevator.
He pointed to the door leading to the stairwell.
“Sure. Whatever.”
He went through first and held the door for me.
I almost started down the stairs before it dawned on me why we werereallyin the stairwell. It had nothing to do with an aversion to elevators.