Side Chick by Force

She saw me in that bed and snapped, charging at me with a kitchen knife. "Lydia Lloyd! I can't believe you betrayed me! You're my best friend! Why would you sneak around and steal my boyfriend?"

I rushed out, "It's not like that. Listen—this is a setup! You know me. I came here with you. How could I be with him? This room isn't even—"

Then I caught the number on the door: 009.

My brain just... blanked.

How?

"You snake! Go die!" Felicity's eyes were pure rage as she lunged.

I dodged, but Jake grabbed me, dragging me right into the same nightmare. Blood spread under me again.

My gaze locked on the door—009—like it was mocking me.

How? Why?

I'd switched rooms. I stayed awake. I tried everything. So why did I still black out? Why was I still dying in the same stupid place?

Time kept rewinding, but I still couldn't get out.

Was I seriously doomed to die as the fake side chick?

My fingers curled weakly as everything dimmed. Pain, panic, then nothing but darkness.

***

"They already booked the room. They'll be here tonight. When the time comes, we'll catch them red-handed!"

That voice jolted me awake. I froze.

Felicity rushed over. "Lydia? You good? You look like crap. Want me to take you to a hospital?"

I blinked, trying to get my bearings.

Hotel hallway.

Room 008 key card in her hand.

I grabbed her wrist. "We're not going in."

She squinted at me. "Why not? They basically shoved it in my face. If I don't catch them, how am I supposed to confront that jerk? I need receipts."

She shoved her sleeves up. "And that chick trying to steal my man? I'll make sure she walks out on a stretcher."

Cold sweat crawled down my spine. "No. That's literally a crime. If she calls the cops, you're toast. Just—trust me. I'll run the sting."

Felicity wavered, but my ghost white face must've sold it. "Fine. What's the plan?"

I took a breath. This hotel felt wrong—every inch of it made my skin crawl.

Heart racing, I forced myself to chill. "Let's just go home. There's a million ways to bust cheaters. If we show up and they freak, what if you get hurt?

"We can hire pros—cameras, audio, the whole thing. Once we've got the receipts, we blow it up and ruin them for good."