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CHAPTER 6
It was around 7:30 that night when Sawyer pulled up to the motel parking lot. He'd been there, or rather, woken up there before, a result of a drunken night when he was too drunk to drive and even tell the woman where his apartment was. It would normally take him no more than 20 minutes from where he lived, yet on this day it took him nearly an hour to get there. For the first time in his life, he was driving the speed limit. Not because he felt like obeying the traffic laws that day, but because the last thing on his mind was some highway patrol jerk-off.
As Sawyer sat in his car, he was torn between leaving and never looking back, to going up to that door and seeing what would be behind it. One on hand, Sawyer hated what this was doing to him—what she was doing to him. No woman had ever affected him in this way, and even though he wouldn't dare even admit it to himself, this terrified and angered him. On the other hand, however, seeing Kate that day of the wedding, seeing her sitting there with strands of hair falling over her eyes as she would look at him, all Sawyer could think of was that there was no other place he wanted to be more than right there. It took every ounce of strength in him not to touch her, just to see if she was really there or if this was another dream of his. That meeting was.. awkward at best. Their usual verbal jabs alongside their natural chemistry felt like they were back on the island, but there was something new, something just below the surface. Sawyer could feel it, and he knew that Kate could feel it, but like everything else in her life, she instinctively ran away from it.
Sawyer took a deep breath before getting out of his car and making his way up the front stairs of the motel. When he got to the top, he looked to his right and spotted it-- Room 56. He looked to his left and behind him down below one last time to make sure this wasn't some prank Jack was pulling, and then walked the few feet to the door. He brought his fist up to knock but then stopped, smiled, and moved a few inches to his left so he could not be seen through the peephole. Sawyer knocked three times.
"Uhh, who is it?" Kate was still learning not to panic when someone would knock on a door to a room she was in. For years she was used to hiding or crawling out of a window even before the third knock came. Even when she was in prison she was still hyper-aware of her surroundings. Now someone was at the door she wasn't expecting and who didn't answer her. She went up to the door, stood on her toes a little to reach the peephole and looked in; no one was there. She called out again.
"It's me Marco," Sawyer said in a deliberately louder voice, "the escort you ordered for tonight. I know I'm a bit early but I heard you like to go --" Sawyer stepped back and snickered a little as the door opened quickly. Kate had an annoyed look on her face, but a hint of smile also came through. Sawyer was almost breathless, she looked beautiful as always.
"Very funny." Kate said dryly but still with a smile on her face. For some reason, while looking at him standing at her doorstep, her heart began to race. What's going on? This hasn't happened since..
Sawyer noticed that Kate was no longer looking at him in the eye and was acting a bit nervous. He didn't know whether to ask her if he could come in or to see if she'd just walk back inside and expect him to follow. He decided to keep his act up to see what she would do. "Remember it's 200 an hour or --"
"Get inside," she said forcefully yet playfully and grabbed Sawyer's arm to pull him inside, "the last thing I need is more attention, especially with those two teenage boys staying two doors down."
"Darlin', if those two guys are by themselves in a motel room," Sawyer turned around to face Kate, "I don't think you're exactly their cup of tea, if you know what I mean." He could see her cheeks flush in embarrassment. Sawyer couldn't help but smile before turning back around to survey the room. "I almost forgot how nice these rooms were." He walked along the foot of the bed when at the corner of his eye he noticed some small pieces of clothing on the floor. He immediately recognized the lace and satin fabrics which propelled him to clear his throat and turn back around to see Kate with her arms crossed.
"What are you doing here, Sawyer? Actually, wait, how did you know I was here?" He shot her a glance that only told her she should already know what the answer would be. "Jack told you."
"Yeah, I was a bit t'd off that he found out where I lived. Showed up at my doorstep this morning practically beggin' me to come babysit you." Without looking at Kate for her reaction, Sawyer sat down on the edge of the bed. He then pushed down on it a couple of times. "Hmm, nice."
"I don't need a babysitter." Kate watched as Sawyer put his legs up the bed. He was sitting up now and then looked up at Kate as he clasped his hands behind his head. "You comfortable?" Kate asked sarcastically.
"Sure am." Sawyer said with a mischievous smile on his face.
"Good. I'm leaving." Kate took a jacket that was draped over a chair and put it on.
"Wait, what are you doing? Where you going?" Sawyer quickly stood back up.
"It's none of your business. I don't have to tell you where I'm going or what I'm doing, Sawyer. Like I told Jack, I don't need anyone's help or concern. I can take care of myself. You can stay here for awhile if you want, just make sure you lock the door on your way out." Kate bent down and grabbed a faded green messenger bag.
"Look, I didn't even wanna come here, alright?" Sawyer said angrily, not sure whether it was at her or himself. "So you can quit that attitude with me, girly. I was just asking a simple --"
"Why did you come here then, Sawyer! Huh? It sure as hell wasn't a favor for your good ol' friend Jack, I know that." Kate was looking at Sawyer, who was now looking down at the floor. "Look at me, Sawyer." He looked vulnerable, almost lost. The only other time she had ever seen him like this was when he told her about his parents. He finally looked up. "Why did you come here?"
They stood there, not saying a word, for what seemed like forever. Sawyer didn't know whether he should tell her the truth, and Kate didn't know if there was something she wanted him to say. Finally, she just turned around and left the room. He sat back on the bed, resumed his lying position, and then lit a cigarette.