Rent Me By The Hour (25 page)

As I’m speeding down Interstate Ten, the drunk bastard next to me crosses my lane, hitting me with his fat tires. My Mercedes flipped, doing summersaults. The eighteen wheeler slammed on its brakes finally realizing he was in my lane, but it was too late. My head pounded on the steering wheel knocking me out. I would occasionally open my eyes, and I’d see the firemen, then I’d close my eyes again. I could hear them telling me not to move. But I couldn’t. Both legs were jammed against the steering wheel. I keep telling myself to wake up. Don’t close my eyes. Think of Jocelyn and Jordan.

I whisper, “Open your eyes. My babies need me. Jordan and Jocelyn need me.” I force myself to open my eyes, but it’s just so hard. I want to sleep. I went through little moments where I was alert then sleepy again. I hear a familiar voice. It’s Jeremiah. He’s crying and screaming. Why is he crying and screaming. What’s going on? I try to look for him moving my head around. The firemen and Jeremiah yell at me, telling me not to move. Why can’t I move? Then I realize, my Mercedes is titter totting on the concrete barrier. If I continue to move I’ll fall over. I start thinking of my babies again. They’re going to lose both parents. Why did I let them down? Tears flood my face as the firemen try to pull my car. I look into Jeremiah’s eyes and he’s crying. He’s reaching out for my hand. With every strength I have left, I stretch out trying to touch his fingertips. My eyes slowly shut and I force myself to open. I refocus on the image of Jeremiah reaching his arms for me. Wait hold on. That can’t be. Then I realize, the man I thought was Jeremiah isn’t. It’s my husband. Max is watching over me. I lip out the words, “I love you.” And before he can say it back to me, I close my eyes and go to sleep.

Title ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...1

Copyright …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2

About the Author …………………………………………………………………………………………………..4

Chapter 1 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5

Chapter 2 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..21

Chapter 3 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..43

Chapter 4 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..55

Chapter 5 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..81

Chapter 6 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..90

Chapter 7 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..99

Chapter 8 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..118

Chapter 9 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…140

Chapter 10 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………153

Chapter 11 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………166

Chapter 12 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………173

Chapter 13 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………181

Contents …………………………………………………………………………………………………………....190