Chapter 4: The Motel Stakeout

04

Dad was still sprawled on the couch, grumbling about some soap opera villain on TV.

I wiped my eyes, looking at this poor, clueless man.

Today was my second time tailing Mom. Same Starbucks, same route, but this time... why was it an old man?

I was pressed against the window, shading my eyes for a better look, when a shadow bumped into me.

“Sorry...” “Sorry...”

That voice?

“Benny White?!”

Even with my wild imagination, seeing this punk in person, I realized Mom’s affair target wasn’t him, but his dad!

“Ahem, since we’re both stuck in this, let’s join forces to break them up.”

I nodded, feeling like we were in some weird buddy comedy.

“We have to nip this in the bud. My dad has no idea. Hopefully they’ll both come to their senses and get back to their families. Don’t tell your mom either.”

I put on my best adult voice, trying to sound wise. He suddenly looked downcast. “My mom passed away when I was little.”

I was about to offer comfort when it hit me.

“If your mom’s gone, why don’t you want your dad to date my mom? You think my mom’s not good enough?”

What kind of question was that?

“A guy like my dad, only my mom would want him. Any other woman’s probably up to something.”

Ouch—talk about savage honesty.

Still, he wasn’t wrong. What did my mom want?

“Ben White, that’s my name.” He introduced himself, making me cringe—I’d already stalked him online.

“Samantha Miller.”

But I was overthinking it. This punk had zero filter. The next second he muttered with a smirk,

“So basic.”

“So girly!”

He glared at me. I glared right back. I’m five years older—no way I’d let this punk get the last word!

I was about to fire back when he suddenly hugged me, face so close I could see the peach fuzz on his cheeks.

I have to admit, 25-year-old skin is unfair—smooth and flawless, those long lashes, the kind that make you want to...

Before my brain could go off the rails, I shoved Ben White away. How could I, like my mom, fall for a guy from the same family?!

Ben White looked annoyed, pointed at his mouth and said, “Hey, you’re drooling.”

I wiped my mouth, mortified. There was nothing there!

Looking up, I saw him stick his tongue out at me. Realizing I’d been tricked again, I was about to scold him.

“They’re coming out. Let’s go!”

I snapped back, spotted the empty table, nodded dumbly, grabbed my bag, and followed him out.

“This is...”

Watching Mom and Ben White’s dad go into the Maple Heights Inn—a place with a reputation for old-school charm and a slightly outdated neon sign—we waited outside for almost twenty minutes, totally at a loss.

“Shameless!”

Ben White muttered, face red.

“Who are you calling shameless? Your dad’s the shameless one!”

“Homewrecker! Unfaithful woman!”

“Old bum! Shameless!”

“You! You! You’re shameless!”

Ben White, red-faced, pointed at my nose.

“Ha, you’re repeating yourself—you lose~”

“Childish!” Unable to argue, he just called me childish. We bickered, trying to mask our nerves.

We glanced at each other awkwardly. After all, it was our parents—just thinking about it was embarrassing.

After a long silence, I couldn’t help but ask, “So, we just wait here for them to come out? Twenty minutes should be enough, right?”

I said shyly, trying not to sound inexperienced. Ben White suddenly got mad.

“Twenty minutes? Who are you underestimating?”

Then, realizing how that sounded, he shut up, turned, and dragged me inside.

“Hi, can I help you?” the receptionist asked, giving us a once-over. Only then did I realize Ben White was still gripping my wrist. Seeing his urgency, she probably thought he was some lovesick college kid.

He seemed to realize this too, awkwardly letting go.

“We’re not here for a room. Can you tell us the room number for Mr. White and Ms. Miller?”

The receptionist smiled, but shook her head. “Sorry, I can’t give out guest info. Hotel policy.” Then she put on her best poker face.

We were about to protest when two familiar voices came from behind us.

“Benny?”

“Samantha?”