Slip away with sunrise (excerpt from a trash novel)

The sun rose and crept in gently through the bottom of the blinds. My eyes fluttered with fatigue as I rolled over to greet the morning’s kiss. I looked around me, taking in my surroundings, finding myself misplaced. With haste, I sprung from the bed and nearly shouted,

“Where am I?”

A lump rustled from beneath the covers and soon, his crown of rooster plumage emerged. His sleepy, bright blue eyes peeked from below the blankets and he stretched, fully revealing his naked torso.

“Christ,” he grumbled, rubbing his eyes, “calm down. There’s no need to be actin’ about at seven in the morning. Go back to sleep.”

He flopped down against the softness of the mattress and swallowed me into his arms, pulling my body tightly against his. I fought him for a moment, struggling to wriggle free from his sweet, yet iron, grip. He only grasped me tighter.

“I have to go,” I said.

He shook his head, eyes closed, and nuzzled against me.

“You’re not,” he insisted.

I pulled away from him, finally, and sent him backward onto the mattress. He sighed and rolled over onto his side, watching me as I got dressed. His eyes roamed my body, taking in every detail as though it would be the last chance he’d have to do so.

“When will I see you again?” he asked, propping himself up on his elbow. I shrugged as I slid my boots on.

“I don’t know. Do you really think that’s a wise idea?”

He furrowed his brow.

“Well, why wouldn’t it be?”

I met his bright blue eyes.

“Because. You know as well as I what this is. Besides, you can find easy skirt anywhere you tour. No need to cling to me.”

His eyes grew fervent and hot with rage.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he snapped.

I placed my hands on my hips, haughtily.

“Oh, come on, Matt. Everyone knows your track record. You may think you’re a one woman man, but we’ve all seen you in action. That’s why she left you, after all.”

His lip trembled and his eye twitched at my words.

“How dare you say that to me. Get the fuck out. Should have known you’d be just like the rest. You’re all cold at heart.”

I grabbed my coat and my purse, saying nothing as I opened the door to exit.

“Wait,” he said, now stricken with a hint of unrest. I turned to face him and folded my arms.

“What?”

“Don’t go, please,” he insisted.

“You know, you sure are fickle. You accuse me of being coldhearted for pointing out the truth and you can’t even make up your mind about what you want. I’m not going to let you use me as a rebound, Matthew. You don’t rebound with royalty. It’s been lovely, but this is as far as it’s going to go.”

His face remained stoic, yet I knew that, inside, he was breaking. I took one last look at him before composing myself and opening the door once more and walking out into the foyer. I waited a moment with my back against the door, listening.

Silence was the only song that filled my ears. I exhaled, relieved, and made my way to the elevators, taking refuge behind their massive golden doors as they carried me down to the lobby. On my way out, I nodded, casually, to the man behind the desk, flashing him a sweet, bright smile before making my way out through the revolving doors. I halfway expected to find Matt chasing after me, shouting my name, begging me not to go. He didn’t.

As I crossed into the morning sunlight, I pulled my shades down over my eyes and took a look at the world around me. The sun’s gentle rays warmed my skin as I took my first steps into the empty street. Silence was the only song that filled my ears, but emptiness was the feeling that filled my heart, and his.