Page 107 of How My Neighbour Stole Christmas
I nod, and I can’t help it, more tears stream down my face.
“Yeah,” I say right before a sob escapes my lips.
“Shit,” he mutters and then opens my car door. “Grab your bag,” he says as he helps me out of the car.
I grab my things and stand next to the car as he hops in, rolls up the window, puts the emergency brake on, and then turns off the engine. He then gets out, pockets the keys, and shuts the door. He takes me by the elbow and escorts me toward his truck that’s parked in front of my car.
I must have been so upset that I didn’t even notice him pull in.
He brings me to the passenger side of his truck and opens the door before helping me in. When I’m in the warm confines of his truck, he shuts the door and that’s when I attempt to wipe at my eyes, but it’s no use, the tears keep coming.
When he joins me, he turns on the heat to full blast and then reaches in his glove box, handing me some tissues.
“Thank you,” I say as I blot at my face, knowing damn well any makeup I put on is probably smeared all over.
“How long were you stuck there?” he asks, his voice terse, almost…angry.
“Not long at all. You were like a minute behind.”
“Good. Are you okay?”
I look up and see the concern in his eyes, the worry etched in his brow and it…it casts him in a different light. Makes me remember the boy I used to talk to on his porch while drinking hot cocoa. This isn’t the same man I’ve been sparring with; this is the boy who I used to think aboutevery Christmas. Even when I was far away in a warmer environment, I often wondered about my blue-eyed friend. The girls at school used to be jealous when I came back from the holidays talking about him. And I missed him. Truly missed him.
“Yeah, I’m okay,” I say as more tears stream down my cheeks. “Ugh, I’m sorry.”
And then to my surprise, he scoots across the bench seat and pulls me close to his chest. I go willingly and rest my head against him as he cups the back of my head.
“You shouldn’t be driving in this snow,” he says softly as he sifts his fingers through my hair.
“That’s what I told Taran,” I say. “But…the candy cane class is today so…she made me go.” I sniffle. “Is that…is that where you’re headed?”
“Yes,” he says tersely. “You should have asked for a ride, Storee.”
I pull back so I can look him in the eyes. “I should have asked you? After all the fighting we’ve been doing? Would you have even said yes?”
“I would have,” he says. “Competition is one thing, safety is another. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“You don’t?” I ask.
His hand comes to my cheek. “No, I don’t.”
“Oh,” I reply, not sure what else to say.
After a few seconds of us just staring at each other, he says, “Do you want me to take you back home?”
Yes.
But also…no.
“Umm…you’re headed to Clayton?”
“I am,” he replies as he strokes my hair, tucking a strand behind my ear. “I know shit about candy canes.”
That makes me laugh. I blot my eyes with my tissue. “Same. Would you mind…um, taking me?”
“As long as you don’t annoy me.”
I smirk. “Can’t make any promises.”
