Free Don't Turn Back (Coming Home Book 1) by Amy Stephens Page A

Before leaving, I am issued two sets of basic light blue uniform shirts, without my name of course, and two pairs of shorts. Walking outside towards my car, I throw my hand up and offer a wave to Jared. Thank goodness I have secured a job. It’s not exactly the job I’m looking for, and I know I’m not going to be getting rich from it, but it’s going to be a paycheck until something better comes along.
     

 
     

     
     
    I roll over in bed and pull the covers up over my head. I lay this way for a few minutes before turning over to lie on my back. Not wanting to get up, I look over at the clock on the table and realize it’s almost one in the afternoon.
    “Oh my goodness, I can’t believe I slept this long.” I mumble to myself. Placing my feet on the floor, I stand up slowly and head to the bathroom. I turn the hot water on in the shower and step underneath the steady flow. Thoughts of last night and Brian quickly fill my mind. I wonder where he is now.
    As I wrap my towel around my body, I hear my phone ding, indicating a missed call. I grab it from the table and see it’s from Rebecca. For a brief moment I wish it were from Brian, but then realize I never gave him my number. Sadly, he hadn’t asked for it, either.
    I return Rebecca’s call and sense her chattiness coming from the other end. “‘Bout time you decided to get up. I’ve only sent you a dozen text messages.”
    “Sorry, I didn’t hear my phone go off. What are you up to?” I feel as though I am still half asleep, despite having a shower.
    “I just wanted to see if you might want to grab a quick bite to eat before I head to work tomorrow and you go to class.”
    “Sure, my biology class isn’t until three, so why don’t I meet you somewhere for a burger?” I add.
    Rebecca doesn’t have to be at work until four, so that will give us plenty of time to talk about Saturday night.
    I change into a pair of yoga pants, pull my damp hair back into a ponytail, and throw on some tennis shoes. I don’t have any plans for the afternoon, so I put on a load of laundry and head outside for a run. Hopefully, it will wake me up. 

    The next morning, I clean up the apartment and finish putting away the laundry from the previous day. I pretended to be lazy when I got back from my run, and called it an early evening. Since I plan on going to class immediately after meeting with Rebecca, I grab my backpack and toss it over my shoulder before heading out the door.
    On my way to meet Rebecca, I decide to ride by the hotel parking lot, hoping to catch a glimpse of Brian’s car. I know I saw him drive somewhere Saturday night, but I can’t help but wonder where he’s been sleeping the last two nights.
    For some reason I can’t explain, I am drawn to him. I know he should be somewhat of a turn off to me; a new guy in town with a rocky background and no job, but I feel like he was put in my life for a reason. Oh well, I may never see him again. No sense in getting all worked up over it.
    As I pull into the parking lot at the restaurant, I see Rebecca sitting at a table out on the patio. She’s wearing her work polo shirt and khaki pants, ready to begin the evening shift. “I didn’t know what you wanted so I held off on placing our order.”
    “Thanks. I think I’ll get a big, juicy hamburger with tater tots and a Cherry Coke.” I tell her.
    “That sounds delicious; I want the same.”
    We both place our orders with the waitress, and I get the feeling she’s ready to start asking me a million questions about Saturday night. “What?” I ask her.
    Looking at me with a grin and curious eyes, she asks, “So, did he ask you out?”
    “No, he didn’t.” I reply.  She can tell by the expression on my face that I wish he had asked, though.
    “Well, maybe you will run into him. He is supposed to be looking for work around here, right?” she offers encouragingly.
    “That’s what he said. Poor guy. I kind of feel sorry for him. First, he gets dumped