weak (when you're around) // bronnie

I awoke sprawled out on the bed, Ronnie gone from my side. I lifted my head a little and looked around the room. I sat up, alert, unsure what to do with myself. Before I went into a full panic, I looked at the nightstand and found that Ronnie had left me a note. Breathing out a sigh of relief, I picked it up and began reading it.

Went out to get breakfast. Be back in a minute. XOXO

I squinted down at how he signed the little message with the "XOXO". This man was treating me so well, but God forbid I fall in love with him. I definitely could—but what good could ever come out of a one night fling with some guy you met serving drinks?

I flopped back down on the bed and began to replay the moments from last night. I truly had never felt that good.

Suddenly, the door swung open and Ronnie was stood there with two bags of McDonald's. "Good morning, sleepyhead!" He sang.

"Morning," I sighed happily -- God, he was perfect.

He brought over the bags, "I hope you like McMuffins."

I swung my leg over the bed and reached in one of the bags, "I do." I liked any food delivered to me by a handsome man.

He sat next to me on the bed, "do you have work today?"

"I do, later tonight."

He nodded, "I don't suppose you can take a night off?"

I unwrapped the McMuffin and took a bite, shaking my head.

He grabbed grabbed his own sandwich from the other bag and slowly began unwrapping it. "Will I see you when you leave this hotel room?"

I paused, "Well, are you still gonna play down in the casinos?"

"I only played her for you."

I stared at him, "you did?"

"Yeah, I've got shit luck here, I only ever won when you were with me."

"Oh."

He suddenly stared into my eyes intensely, "I want you to come with me, travel the world with me."

All I could do was stare back in shock. I wanted to, I really wanted to, who wouldn't? I just didn't want to throw everything away for some...man. "Ronnie, I don't know-- that's too impulsive for me."

He looked away, "I know, I get it."

We ate in silence for a moment, I just needed to find the words to say and make a decision.

"If it's any influence to your decision, you won't ever have to work again, you can be my prince forever."

I looked up from my food at him, "how do you know that?"

He reached forward and brushed my bangs back with his fingers, "because you're my lucky charm."

I giggled, a little bit melted by the way he touched my hair, "like-- the cereal."

He laughed, "yeah, like the cereal."

To leave my entire life and everything I had ever known for a man I'd only lusted for? Absurd.

"I'll go with you," I finally stated.

He raised an eyebrow, "and you're sure?"

I nodded, "I'm young, I don't wanna spend my good years in this dump, you made me feel like a million dollars, far more promising than whatever this place has given me."

He smiled at me, and his kind eyes gave me whatever comfort I needed to take the risk.

****

I stood in front of what was now my former place of employment, smoking a cigarette, waiting for Ronnie and I's ride.

"You know, those aren't good for you," Ronnie said.

"I know," I mumbled.

"You should also know I want my prince to live as long as he can."

I finished it and threw the butt on the ground, putting it out with my heel. "Fine, I'll only smoke one, just for you-- you're far more addicting any."

He smiled at me and just as he did, our ride pulled up.