Free Runaway Love by Pamela Washington

they belong. We end up just buying a few things for Scottie; I’m no longer in the mood to find a fabulous new outfit. What’s the point? When we return home, I make an excuse to go upstairs so I can get my thoughts together.  I must’ve dozed off because I barely heard Tony saying he was heading out to get Scottie from karate before the door closed.
    Knowing I’m alone, I grab my phone and text Scott asking him what hotel he’s staying at. He replies back right away that he’s staying at a nice, five-star bed and breakfast place and gives me the room number. I seriously need to talk to him. I get up and write a note to Tony telling him I forgot that I promised Kimberly that I would attend one of her book club meetings, and I’d be home later. I call a cab since I’m not in the right mind-frame to be driving and head straight to Scott’s hotel to settle whatever is going on between us.
    I walk to his suite and knock on the door. To my horror and surprise, Maxine opens the door.
    “Oh, hello. You must be the cute red head who has Scott ruining his career,” she snidely greets me as she gives me the most disdainful look her overly Botoxed face can handle. I look at Maxine and take in her blonde hair pulled in a tight bun, jeans and low cut shirt, and pearly white teeth. No wonder Scott is interested in her! She smiles condescendingly at me and slides out the door telling Scott, “I’ll be back later, hon!” I walk in and slam the door behind me.
    “WHAT THE FUCK IS HER PROBLEM, SCOTT?” I walk over to Scott who’s drinking whiskey. He looks up at me with sad hazel eyes and shrugs his shoulders. Why is he moody and drowning his sorrows in alcohol?  I’m the only one who should be emotional!
    “What can I do for you, Grace?” The weariness in his voice catches me off-guard as I sit on the bed next to him. I watch him down his drink in a big gulp before pouring even more.
    “I’m here because I need to know what you want from me,” I respond, unsure of myself and my feelings. I don’t know if I’m ready to hear his response.
    “What do I want from YOU? What do you want from ME?” Scott’s eyes blaze like he’s about to lose control. I don’t care. We have to settle this once and for all. Now.
    I stand up and start pacing the floor. I look straight at him as I explain, again, through gritted teeth, “You left ME! You changed your last name so I couldn’t find you. I hated myself for so long because I thought you didn’t want me! You know what you did to me!” 
    He stands up in an instant and places both his hands on my face to make sure I can’t look away from him. “Grace, I cried so much when I couldn’t see you. I was in England being a complete asshole. I desperately wanted to come back for you, but my contract was so fucked up at the time that I had to follow what they told me to do! I had to choose between you and my career! I obviously chose my damn career over the love of my life, and I’ve regretted that decision every day of my life! Look…” He releases his hold on me to lift up his shirt.
    I gasp as my eyes settle on the left side of his chest where there’s a tattoo. It’sa drawing I drew of my name with a heart dreamcatcher. I had given him my special drawing on his seventeenth birthday, right before he left Ms. Allen’s. I had wanted to give him a piece of myself to take with him so he’d never forget what he was coming back for. I reach my hands out and trace the tattoo like I’m in a trance. I look into his eyes and see such sadness behind all the tears that are falling down his face. I can’t believe he tattooed a piece of my heart onto his body!
    I kiss his lips and taste the whiskey he’s been drinking. His wet tongue enters my mouth so deeply and intensely that I start to moan from everything I’m feeling in his kiss. Scott’s assault on my mouth is rough with a little bit of passion, so different from Tony’s passionate gentle kisses. Oh no! Tony! I pull away