I don't have women sleep over. Never saw the point, and I certainly never wanted the awkward morning after. So when Berklee seeks me out, throwing her arm and then her leg over me before burrowing into my chest, I go with it and hold her close. Her breathing evens out once again and I relax into the mattress, enjoying the feel of her in my arms.
As I lie here running my fingers through her wet curls, I realize that I no longer feel unsettled. It's her. She has that calming effect on me. It freaks me the fuck out, but no way am I running from it. Maybe things will look different in the light of day. That's my last thought as I drift off to sleep.
The ringing of my phone wakes me up sometime later. Reaching over to the nightstand, I come up empty. Replaying the night before, it all comes crashing back to me.
Berklee.
Rolling over, I reach for her and once again come up empty. My cell stops ringing just to start again. Climbing out of bed, I peek in the bathroom-no Berklee. Making my way downstairs, I stop in the doorway of the living room and I know she's gone. Her clothes that were scattered with mine are missing. Even her thong that I tore from her sexy little body. "Fuck!" I scream into the quiet house. My phone starts to ring again and suddenly I'm worried it's her. How did she get home? What if something happened? I'm tripping over my own feet to get to my jeans lying on the floor. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I don't even look at the screen before answering. "Hello," I pant into the phone.
"Did I interrupt something?" Zane laughs.
"No," I growl.
More laughter. "What are you getting into today?"
"Nothing," I grumble. I wanted to be getting into Berklee, make her breakfast and maybe lounge in bed all day, but she ran.
"Getting a group together to take the Jeep out. You interested?"
"What time?" I glance at the clock on the wall-it's a little after eight. I wonder what time she snuck out.
"Around noon. Just going to take it out at Mom and Dad's place."
"Yeah, count me in. Meet you there?"
"Yep. See ya." He hangs up.
I immediately pull up Berklee's name and hit Send. It rings and rings and rings before finally going to voice mail. "Berklee, it's Crew. You left. Why? Call me."
I toss my phone on the couch and head to the kitchen to make some coffee. I pop a couple of pieces of toast in the toaster and stare at the pot. By the time I've had my toast and first cup of coffee, fifteen minutes have gone by.
Refilling my cup, I move to the living room, grab my phone and call her again. Again, I get her voice mail. "Berklee, if you don't want to talk to me, fine, but at least let me know that you're okay."
Grabbing the remote, I turn on the TV and scroll through the stations mindlessly. Before I know it another twenty minutes have passed. Again, I call her. "Fucking voice mail," I grumble. "Berklee, pick up the fucking phone. Just tell me you got home safely."
Hitting End, I slam my phone down on the couch. Fuck, this shit. She won't answer, I'll go to her. I assume she's just ignoring me, but what if she's not? What if something did happen to her? That thought alone has me running upstairs to get dressed. I'm out the door and on the road five minutes later.
On the drive over, I call her again. This time it goes straight to voice mail. "Berklee, fuck!" I end the call and toss my phone in the cup holder. I make the fifteen-minute drive in half the time. Throwing the truck in Park, I grab my keys and run to the door. I pound on it, not giving a single fuck if I wake the entire neighborhood. "Berklee!" I shout. Time seems to stand still as I wait for her to open the damn door. When it finally flies open, there's a pissed-off Barry staring back at me.
"What the hell, Crew?" he asks. I can tell he just woke up.
I push past him. "Where's her room?" I ask, walking toward the hallway.
"Who? What the fuck is going on?" he says, following me.
"Berklee!"
"What did you do to her?" he asks, anger lacing his voice.
I turn to face him. "Not a fucking thing she didn't want. Then I woke up and she was gone. She won't answer her phone."
"Maybe she doesn't want to talk to you," he offers, his voice calmer.
"I don't give a fuck," I call over my shoulder. I need to see if she's all right and find out why she left.
"Second door on the right," Barry yells.
I stop in front of the door and try the handle. It's unlocked. The bed is empty but the shower is on. I run my fingers through my hair. She's here. I take a minute to let that sink in. I'd assumed she was avoiding me, but damn, the thought of something happening to her shook me to the core.
I debate on what I should do. Join her in the shower? Surprise her when she comes out? The water turns off, making my decision for me. I kick off my shoes and make myself comfortable on her bed.