Something About Vegas
Equilibrium
Standing in the car rental line, she took in her surroundings, hoping for some distraction to take her mind off Tim, but so far nothing helped. Having thoroughly screwed up her head, he remained first and foremost on her mind and had been since she woke up. She impatiently tapped her foot, her bags now down by her side. She was tired, thirsty and jarred from that horrible flight. It was as if the past 24 hours had completely thrown off her equilibrium.
'That really didn't go well,' she thought guiltily. 'I shouldn't have spoken to him like that, he was just concerned and trying to help. But did he have to be so stubborn and arrogant about it?'
Clearly he was frustrated, there was no mistaking that. It rolled off him in waves and she suspected she was at the root of it, but there was nothing she could do to help him. She couldn't explain what she didn't understand and she couldn't tell him what she wanted, because she simply didn't know.
'This hold that Tim has on me today must be due to the after effects of a surprising night of drinking and great sex. That and exhaustion. That's all it is,' she thought absently. 'But, how do I explain this connection I feel to him, the one that far exceeds the work relationship we had before this trip? I guess it's just a physical one. Still, something was going on between us that night, something before we got into bed, something I can't quite define. I never make rash decisions, ever. I carefully think through every thing I do. So what exactly was the reason behind waking up this morning a married woman?' she pondered as she waited.
Tim, as well as the flight, had jostled her normally calm interior and exterior and left her feeling unsettled. There was a push, pull she felt towards him that was akin to the up and down jolts of the turbulence. And like her hesitancy to get back up in the air on another flight, she was hesitant to spend any more time alone with Tim. She was afraid of where it might lead them.
She didn't want to be with him, yet she was inexplicably drawn to him. She was relieved he left, but at the same time, more disappointed than she'd care to admit. To top it off, they couldn't seem to go a few minutes today without arguing. They definitely needed time apart, so why was she now standing in this line miserable, trying to think of anything but him? It was settled, she was making the right decision, she needed solid footing to regain her equilibrium and she wasn't going to get it up in the air with Tim.
"Ma'am. Ma'am, can I help you? Do you want to rent a car today or not?"
The voice of an irritated gentleman speaking to her from behind the rental car counter snapped her out of her reverie. She quickly recouped, made her way forward and instantly showered him with all the southern charm she could muster, the charm apparently reserved for anyone but Tim.
Waiting for the clerk to finish her paperwork, drumming her fingers impatiently, she was startled by the appearance of a large cup of iced coffee on the counter in front of her. It's powerful aroma was a welcome treat. At the same moment, she sensed Tim standing behind her and her heart gave a sudden, unexpected lurch.
"Three sugars, just the way you like it," he whispered. The gravely sound of his voice right by her ear caused a shiver down her back and made her lose her train of thought. "I have more if you need them," he continued softly. "I'm going with you. I know you're not happy to hear that, but you'll have to make the best of it." He moved from behind her, his body grazing hers and stood by her side at the counter. She hadn't said a word since his arrival, still overcome by his unexpected appearance and the sensations he created just standing next to her.
Motioning to the gentleman finishing her paperwork, he politely asked, "Excuse me sir, can I have a map, please?" He took the procured map, the luggage that was on the floor by her side and made his way to the nearby seats. She was still staring at him when she was startled once more by the voice of the impatient clerk helping her.
"Ma'am? Excuse me, Ma'am, do I need to repeat the instructions or were you listening?"
Calleigh turned her focus to the paperwork spread out on the counter in front of her instead of watching Tim study the map. This preoccupation with Tim had to cease, she needed to get her head together and stop feeling so flustered by everything he did. She listened intently to the repeated instructions and quickly signed the necessary papers. Tim looked up from the map as she approached, car keys in hand.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked. "Because it's not too late for you to get on another flight to Miami." He nodded his response. "OK, I guess. Thanks for the coffee," she quickly added. He nodded again, then went back to his map, anxious to share his findings. He seemed to be as excited as he was when he discovered previously missed evidence and she couldn't help but smile at him, but the smile faded rapidly once he began to share his findings.
"I found a shortcut that will help us avoid the traffic getting out of Denver. It's rush hour after all," he told her while he checked his watch. "We should be able to pick up the interstate without much difficulty. This takes us a little out of the way, but it'll be worth it in the long run. I'll drive the first stretch," he offered.
She shook her head at him. He was only trying to help, but this was her trip and she was perfectly capable of getting them out of Denver without his map reading skills. Sipping on the quenching ice coffee he brought her, she realized he meant well, he just needed to understand that she didn't need his assistance.
"Thanks, but I feel like driving the first leg and I think I'll follow the signs taking me out of the airport and pick up I 70 out of Colorado as soon as we hit it. No shortcuts, I don't want to risk getting lost and wasting time in Denver. The heaviest traffic will be over soon," she reasoned.
Incredulous, he took his time answering. She could tell from his expression that he was trying very hard not to lose his temper. "What makes you assume I'll get us lost?" he finally asked with just a bit of defiance in his tone.
"Tim please, let's not argue about everything. I never said you would get us lost," she replied, picking up one of her bags.
"Fine," he answered roughly and grabbed the larger bag before she could argue with him about that. They silently made their way out of the building.
The bright sunlight and warmth outside was both a shock and a delight after being pent up in an artificial environment all day. It immediately lightened her mood and his as well, since he was trying once again to be pleasant.
"Calleigh this will work out fine and if you change your mind about flying, we can hook up with tickets at one of the airports on the way, like Kansas City. Until then, we can divide the driving and split the cost of gas and motel rooms..."
Almost to the car, she stopped abruptly and interrupted him to blurt, "I'm not sleeping with you again, I hope you know that." A look of shock briefly registered on his face, then his eyes flashed anger.
"You don't need to worry about that happening," he shot back and continued his way to the car.
He waited by the trunk until she opened it, threw the bags inside, then walked to the passenger side and got in with a slam of the door. He took out the map and busied himself studying it. Calleigh stood outside the driver's door wondering why she kept saying all the wrong things to him and when the ground under her feet would feel steady once again.
tbc
