Page 90 of Bad Intentions

“Can I find you if I can’t get a hold of you? What’s your room number? In case I have any information?”

She hesitated for a minute. “I’m in room 204. Why are you helping me?”

That required a smart answer. I mulled it over, waiting for her to get impatient.

“I think your guy is in town with another woman,” I said. “And if he’s married, he has no business doing that.”

“I knew it!” She angrily slammed the steering wheel.

“I know,” I murmured. “I hate when men do this. Think they can get away with stuff like that.”

Cheating. That cut deep into every woman’s heart. If Derek wasn’t with her anymore, he wasn’t cheating. And if he wasn’t in a relationship, he could do whatever he wanted. I promised myself that he would be mine. This woman had no business ruining my fun.

“Thank you,” she said. “What’s your name?”

“Alysha,” I said without thinking.

“Thank you, Alysha. I need to see Jimmy and talk to him.”

Jimmy. Not Derek. The woman might be a looney tune.

That very night, when I got off my shift and got in my car, I called Derek right away.

He didn’t answer.

I had to play smart. So I texted.

Me: call me back

Then sent another text.

Me: jimmy

I had only just pulled onto the road when he called. “What game are you playing?” he asked sternly.

“What happened to ‘Hi, how are you?’” I quipped, smiling to myself.

“Hi, Mal. How are you?” he gritted out, oh-so-obvious with his irritation.

“Your past followed you to Burnville,” I said.

“What are we talking about?”

“I’ll come over,” I said.

“I’m not home.”

That could be true, but I didn’t care. He’d have to play by my rules.

“Someone from out of town is looking for you,” I said. “Suit yourself, Jimmy.”

I hung up and held my breath. My phone lit up right away with a phone call from Derek. I waited long enough for it to ring, then picked up.

“Don’t you dare hang up,” he hissed.

“I don’t have time for bullshit, Jimmy,” I said.

“Mal,” he warned. I knew he was getting anxious, so unlike him. “Meet me at my place in ten.”