Cultivate

4Chip Shot

Collin woke up startled by the beeping of his alarm. It took a second to register where he was, until he looked to his right to see Jada, still sleeping. Then the memories of the night before came flooding back, along with the initial symptoms of a hangover. He got out of bed, careful not to disturb her, and walked into the hotel bathroom. He closed the door, started the shower, and looked at himself in the mirror. He needed to shave, and he needed a haircut, but that would have to wait. He needed to get home and pack. He stepped into the steaming shower and let the water run over him. When he stepped out, Jada was sitting up in bed, with a thin hotel sheet pulled over her, and greeted him with a knowing smile.

He leaned over the bed, kissed her, and then looked around the room for his clothes. His pants were in a jumbled pile on the floor, and his shoes were by the front door. He got dressed, trying to avoid Jada's sad stare. If he allowed himself to look at her, he'd get lost in those seductive brown eyes and never make his flight.

“I have to go,” he said, scanning the room to make sure he didn't leave anything behind. She pouted. He resisted.

“I'll only be gone a few days. It'll be fine. I'll call you when I can,” he assured her. She sighed, and he winked as he closed the hotel room behind him. He checked his phone, got into his car, and drove home.

When he arrived ...