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"Hey, Ayd" All I wanted to do was hang up and go find Asa, but I couldn’t do that to hi but care about s with the rocker don’t seeive me a call"

My hand clenched reflexively on the phone The idea of going back to Adaiddy He was the picture-perfectwith anyone who didn’t have black-velvet eyes and a voice thatto be it forto have to learn to live with the fact that I had let hi to be ready for any kind of relationship anytime soon"

"Well, even if you need a friend, I’m here"

I ended the call and tossed the phone onto the passenger seat I felt turned inside out but things were bright and clear, and the direction I had to go was sharp and defined For the first ti a lie

I drove across town to the other side of the interstate, where all the hotels and motels next to Sports Authority field were located The entire way, I kept an eye on the rearviewme The hotels here weren’t as nice as the places don, but they were right up Asa’s alley I found the hotel Adaive me h to know that if there was a pretty girl behind the counter, she would undoubtedly have fallen victim to his charms by now

There was a redhead who looked a couple years younger than me who fit the bill perfectly She looked fresh-faced and sweet, the perfect victim for all of Asa’s machinations I plastered a pleasant smile on my face and waited until she was alone at the desk I crossed my arms on the counter and tried to look as innocent and unthreatening as possible I made sure my accent was on in full force so that there would be nothat Asa and I were related

"Hey there I’ot into town and I forgot what roo in Do ya think ya can help me out?"

I saw her look at h that anyone would know Asa and I were brother and sister, but the different hair color could beShe bit her lip and looked from side to side

"What’s your brother’s naer

"Asa Cross He’s a handsorateful if you helped er than the city we co a little overwhelmed so any help would sure be appreciated"

I made sure to layer on the yokel as thick as I could and battedanother person as as

She fiddled with her hair and continued to look around, like she was afraid of getting caught doing soive out room numbers, but I can call up and let him know you’re here, and you can ask him what room he’s in"

I didn’t trust Asa as far as I could throw hi to want to hear what I had to say, so I nodded in agreen of trouble The girl made the call and it only took a moment for her to s her on the other end of the phone She giggled, whichon a piece of paper

"He said he’s been expecting you and he’s so glad you finally made it" She put a hand over her chest and leaned a little over the counter, ht in my face "He is so cute, and nice My name is Heather Feel free to let hiritted my teeth and forced my smile to stay friendly and not turn nasty

"Well, thank you, Heather, I’ll be sure to pass that along You were just a doll"

I snatched the paper with the room number on it and almost ran to the elevator I knehere he was, now I just had to get him to let me in The ride to the floor he was on felt like it took forever and soot on, and kept apologizing for the kid I wanted to tell her that I understood, because on the inside I was just as upset, crying just as loud as her baby, but I just sed at her to let her knoas just part of life

When I found Asa’s roo to decide the best course of action, if he decided not to letJust as I was raising my fist to pound on the door, it opened and I foundyanked inside by h, and I wanted to slug him on principle alone

He had on sweatpants and looked rury bikers all over his ass, de on, sis? Took you long enough to find me"

I shoved him away from e of the unmade bed

"Silas is here"

I saw his eyes open wide and he began to pace back and forth in front offor you to show up He toldWhat were you thinking, you idiot?"

Eyes that looked just like lared atthat book has every marker, every debt owed, in every county in the south Do you have any idea how much power that is? Do you knohat I can do with that inforet-out-of-jail-free card; it’s a -boys card It was one of the ss I’ve ever done I can take care of Mama with it, I can ain with it You could coain with it"

I wondered if he actually cared about Mo that as an excuse, and I had no idea he thought I was ever returning to Woodward Asa was a pretty man with pretty words, and that hat had always erous