Thursday, August 10th, 8:34 PM
Casper, WY
Like earlier today, Evan parked near their motel room door again. “We weren’t able to meet with Dana, but at least we’re by our room.” He turned off the Ram and relaxed his head onto the seat’s headrest. “Unbelievable. I’m so sorry, Neraeh.”
She let out an exaggerated sigh. “Yeah, wonderful! Sorry. I’m still very upset. I can’t believe she became that sick to cancel her fans away!”
“I know.” Freddy leaned forward. “And to end the concert a half hour early?”
“Tons of people were taking videos,” Evan said. “Security cameras took videos. After that reporter showed me on camera, calling out Syrrah…Dana’s security will go over it, or have already. Sorry, guys. It was a dumb thing to do. I simply acted on impulse.”
“Dude, you don’t know if that’s why they cancelled it! If anything, it’s like that tall dude said, it sounded like you yelled out Zypher. Like on my video, although it’s harder to hear from behind the glass window.”
“I know. I’m glad you and Neraeh took videos.” He looked at Freddy. “You really think I should still apply for that security job?”
“Yes, since it’s the only way to get the inside scoop on things, though you’ll have to figure out about your dad, Bison practice, Master Ren and Bob’s, and of course our band. But yeah, she totally may have been sick, and that’s why she paused in her steps, and then cancelled the meet and greet. And if anything, that guy, Carter Lorenzo will probably reprimand you on calling her Zypher and then hire you anyway. He sounded desperate, right?”
“Yeah, maybe. I don’t know.” Evan took hold of the steering wheel with his right hand, gliding his inner palm along the top of the steering wheel, back and forth, a few times. “But you’re right. With all the stuff in our lives, I’ll have to give it some thought. Think about it tonight.”
“I still think something happened when you called out her name,” Neraeh said. “And I’m glad you did it.”
Evan smiled at her. “Thanks, hon. And I understand how you feel.” He glanced around out the windows. “No sign of our stalkers.”
“No, dude. I think we’re fortunately in the clear tonight. Still pretty light out and I didn’t see them.”
“Nor did I,” Neraeh said. “We drove around twice again, and I didn’t see the van anywhere, although that didn’t help much the other time.” She turned and looked out the passenger side windows. “But I still don’t see them now.”
“Same with me.” Searching one last time, Evan observed a similar result. No Art, Kamal, or their goons. Anywhere. “Well, thank the Lord. Let’s go inside then.”
They each exited the Ram, though Evan immediately walked around until near Neraeh and then followed behind her until all three of them arrived by the door. Felt great not to have to be concerned with that other room. All of Neraeh’s belongings were in their room, as it should be. And besides, it was cheaper. He used the keycard and gestured for Neraeh to enter first, next Freddy. He closed and locked the door, all of them safe and sound in the room.
Neraeh started up the conversation again about what they could do now, since they didn’t meet with Dana. And the poor woman’s desperation, her absolute need to find out the truth about Syrrah, only fueled Evan’s own need as well. However, after seeing the weariness in her face, and with Freddy too, he suggested it would be best if they discuss this in the morning. She agreed.
Even though he found it comfortable, even enjoyable sleeping near Neraeh last night, in the same type of platonic, yet close positions as the night before, tonight felt different. He walked near her after she stood up from the bed. “Neraeh. I was thinking of using that rollaway they gave us, so you can have the entire bed for yourself tonight.”
She shrugged a bit and gazed at him with her head tilted slightly. “I don’t mind sleeping next to you again, if you don’t mind.”
“Honestly, I sort of need my own bed tonight. I have a feeling I’m not going to sleep the best. I’m worried about moving too much, and waking you.”
“Well, okay,” she said rather dejectedly. “It’s all right.”
“I mean, I slept great by you last night,” he told her reassuringly, placing his hand on her shoulder. “It’s just tonight I have so much on my mind. I feel restless. Okay, hon?”
She laid her hand on his arm, gently. “Okay, sure.” She smiled at him. “I understand.”
After setting up the rollaway, Evan, and next Freddy, made sure the curtains were closed sufficiently and the door was definitely locked securely. Each of them took turns taking showers and putting on their night clothes.
At around 10 PM, when they were all done with these usual nighttime routines, Evan suggested they lie down on their respective beds and try to get some sleep, since they must all be tired from the hectic day. And thankfully, neither Freddy nor Neraeh wanted to watch TV, since they could quietly view or read things on their phones instead.
But yeah, Evan found he was correct. They were all quite tired. Freddy began snoring first, after only about five minutes, his phone no longer held above his head, and then he heard Neraeh breathing steadily, quietly, her phone placed on the bed too.
With the AC making a soothing background hum, his two great friends sleeping soundly, Evan began juggling options in his head, on what to do next. Yet before he knew it, his mind was just too weary, and he couldn’t help but doze off himself.