So Rare (Boys of South Chapel #3)

7. Kabir

Chapter 7

Kabir

NOW

“You’re certain?” Deftly, I pull a piece of American currency from my money clip and hold it out to the attendant behind the counter.

He snatches it faster than a viper striking its prey.

“Uh, lemme check again for you,” he offers.

Unfortunately, “checking” involves flipping through a paper ledger, mumbling unintelligibly whilst sniffling, and clumsily searching through a lockbox of keys. I’m left to stand at the counter as the only employee of the Moon Mist Motel attempts to earn the hundred American dollars I just handed him.

Garrett and Levi are still out in the vehicle, so I send them a quick text directing them to hang tight. No sense in having them come in while I attempt, for the third time tonight, to find a vacancy.

We can’t go any farther until a few more pieces of my plan fall into place. The boys are exhausted, as am I. Despite their insistence that we keep going, I made it clear that sleeping and starting anew in the morning was nonnegotiable.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find a single available reservation in this area when I searched online. Turns out, there’s an event known as a “polar bear plunge” happening at a nearby lake tomorrow. Every hotel, motel, and vacation rental we’ve tried is fully booked.

“Yahtzee.” With a grin, the man behind the counter procures a single key attached to a scratched-up purple plastic tag and offers it to me with a flourish.

I stare at his unkempt fingernails and rack my brain for context. Yahtzee? I have no idea what that colloquialism means. Before I can inquire, he continues.

“It’s the only vacant room left on property—the Mystical Master Suite. I can give it to ya for the regular rate since you’re checking in so late. It’s even got a king bed.” With that, he waggles his overgrown brows.

“One of the beds is king-size?” I confirm.

“There’s only one bed, but it’s a king. That means it’s big, and the pillowcases are extra long, too.”

Bloody hell.

Before I can form a proper reply, my phone buzzes in my hand.

Garrett: Levi’s zonked out. Any luck?

I swear that boy could fall asleep anywhere, and under the direst of circumstances.

“Right.” Reluctantly, I accept the key and produce a credit card to pay for the room. “You take Mastercard, I assume?”

I unlock the door and hold it open as Garrett helps a drowsy Levi navigate into the room.

Before either notices or comments on the arrangements, I take charge.

“You two take the bed.”

With the door closed behind us, I fasten the comically rusty security chain and turn the deadbolt.

“Wait, there’s only one bed?”

Garrett’s voice is higher than normal—from stress or nerves or anxiety, I’m not sure.

I steal myself with a cleansing breath, then I turn and lock eyes with him. “There is. This is the best I could do for tonight. Might I remind you of the annual polar bear plunge happening tomorrow?”

Holding my gaze, he gently lowers his mostly asleep friend onto the king-size bed.

“Pull back the comforter first,” I hiss, marching across the room and stripping off the cesspool of the shared blanket.

There may only be one bed, but at least the sheets appear clean.

“Hey.” Garrett brushes a hand over my forearm, stopping at my elbow, where the sleeve of my Oxford has been pushed up. “I wasn’t criticizing.” His eyes search my face. After a breath, his tongue darts out to wet his lips. “I can sleep on the floor, no problem.”

I rear back as if I’ve been slapped.

“Absolutely not,” I vociferate. “You’ve been driving for hours. He’s still recovering from major surgery. I’m still on London time, and I have to be up for a call in three hours anyway. You’ll take the bed, Garrett. It’s not up for discussion.”

Brows raised, he scrutinizes me, as if he’s preparing to argue. Instead, he clamps his mouth shut, nods once, and sighs. “Thank you.” His expression quickly morphs to one of sincerity, and a pain that matches the ache inside me swims in his eyes. “Thank you for everything. Try to get some rest, too, Spence. It’s been a long day for all of us.”

With that, he turns his back to me and heads toward the water closet.