“Dammit, Shane, stop calling me sir,” Barrett grunted.
“I’m sorry, but the bus’s engine has been having issues for a few miles. I think it’s best we stop for the night.”
“Sure. Whatever.”
At the feel of his chest rumbling beneath my ear, I realized I had somehow fallen asleep on Barrett. Quickly, I popped straight up. My mortification intensified at the sight of a wet stain on Barrett’s shirt where my face had been. Oh God. I had actually drooled on him.
Barrett glanced down at the puddle before looking back at me. I gave him an apologetic look.
“I’m so sorry about that.”
He grinned. “Don’t worry about it. I’m used to chicks drooling when they’re around me.”
I laughed. “God, you’re such an egomaniac.”
“I like to consider it stating the facts.”
After a quick look at my phone, I saw it was after midnight. Inwardly, I groaned. I knew we’d back on the road by seven, so that didn’t give us much time to sleep. I pulled myself up off the couch, slung my purse over my shoulder, and headed for the door.
After stepping off the bus and getting a look at where we were staying, I had serious thoughts about turning around and getting right back on the bus. Ohio was famous in the campaign circuit for its eclectic roadside hotels and motels. Most were charming little mom-and-pop places, and although most of the décor was outdated, they were still nice. While I’m certainly not a five-star hotel person, I would have to say our digs for the night probably didn’t even qualify for one star.
The one-story motel was painted Pepto Bismol pink with teal accents. A giant teddy bear-shaped sign that looked like it had been designed in the 60s sat in front of a swimming pool not much bigger than most kiddie pools.
Barrett got off behind me. “The Teddy Bear Motel? Charming.”
Shane grimaced. “I’m sorry, sir—uh, I mean, Barrett, but there’s not another hotel for a hundred miles. I don’t want to push the engine too much.”
“It’s okay, Shane. This will do for the night.”
While Ty and Shane unloaded the luggage, Pete worked on getting our rooms, standing outside a booth since the motel didn’t even possess a lobby. With our roller bags trailing behind us, we crossed the parking lot to meet up with him.
Pete’s forehead was lined with concern. “We’re on opposite ends of this hellhole, which is going to be a security nightmare for Ty.”
Barrett snorted. “Since this looks like the last place on earth I would be at, I think we’re fine.”
Ty crossed his arms over his massive chest. “I’ll still be putting you into your room, and I don’t want you leaving without calling me. Then I’ll come get you in the morning.”
“Fine, Mom, whatever you say.”
Pete flashed a teddy bear-shaped key in front of Barrett’s face. “They only had one room with a double bed. The rest were twins.”
Barrett and I cut our eyes over to each other. If anyone needed the twin beds, it was us. We might’ve shared hotel rooms over the last few months, but we sure as hell hadn’t shared a bed. Maybe there would be a couch one of us could sleep on, perhaps even a pull-out.
Reaching his hand out, Barrett took the key from Pete. “Thanks. Six AM wake-up call?”
Pete nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. We need to be on the road by seven.”
Shane cleared his throat. “Yeah, about that. There’s no way I can get the bus seen by seven. I’m going to have to call around for a mechanic. It’ll be at least eight, if not nine.”
“Son of a bitch,” Pete groaned.
“Take it easy, man. Worst case scenario, we rent a car, and then Shane can meet us at the convention center.”
Pete tilted his head, weighing Barrett’s suggestion. “That could work. Okay, I’ll find a rental car for backup as soon as I get inside.”
“Good deal. The best thing we can do right now is get some rest,” Barrett said.
“I’ll call you in the morning with the revised itinerary.”
“Thanks. Night.”
“Night guys,” I said.
True to his word, Ty walked over to our room with us. Sliding the teddy bear key into the lock, Barrett opened door. After fumbling on the wall for a switch, light flooded the room. We both stared at the double bed.
Shiiiiiit.
I mean, it would have been slightly easier if it had been a king or even a queen-sized bed, but no, it had to be a double.
There was nothing else in the room but two uncomfortable-looking chairs that no one could sleep in. After dropping his suitcase, Barrett walked over to the bed and grabbed a pillow before turning back to me. “I’ll sleep on the floor.”
I shook my head. “That’s awfully chivalrous of you, but you don’t need to do that.”
Barrett’s brows wrinkled in confusion. “Wait, you want it?”
“Of course not. I meant neither of us is going to sleep on the floor. We can sleep together.”
“Are you sure you really want to do that?”
“After all these months together, I think we’ve reached a level of intimacy where we can deal with sharing a bed. You’ve helped me pee for goodness sake.”
With a laugh, Barrett replied, “I didn’t actually help you pee. I just stood there in case you passed out.”
“Same difference.”
It was then I realized Ty was still standing in the doorway, and the expression on his face told me he thought Barrett and I were entering dangerous territory by sharing a bed. I imagined he was thinking the minute we went horizontal, we would attack each other out of pent-up sexual need.