Page 168 of How My Neighbour Stole Christmas
“Is that what she thinks it is?”
“I don’t know,” I say. “I mean, it doesn’t seem like it.”
“Yeah…”
He’s silent, which is concerning. “What are you not saying, Max?”
“Nothing, don’t worry about me.”
“I am fucking worried, so just say it.”
He sighs. “Dude, what if this is something else?” I can hear the trepidation in his voice.
“What do you mean?”
“Okay, hear me out. I’m not saying this is what she’s doing, but what if, hell, I don’t know, what if she’s using you, getting in your head so she can win this competition?”
“No,” I say with a firm shake of my head even though he can’t see me. “She wouldn’t do that.”
“Are you sure? And I don’t like being that guy, so don’t fucking hateme, but didn’t all this just happen overnight? What if this is part of the plan?”
“Do you really think that little of her? Think that she’d be someone who played with another human’s feelings in order to win a stupid town competition?”
“I know, dude. I hate even thinking it, but I’m just…well, I’m protective of you, and I want to make sure that you’re okay, you know? I don’t want anyone fucking with you.”
“I get it, man, and I appreciate it. But trust me when I say she’s not doing that. That she wouldn’t do that.”
“Okay. Good. And I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize—I appreciate you looking out for me.”
“It’s my duty. You’re my little Snow Daddy nugget. I have to make sure you’re always taken care of.”
“Don’t fucking call me that,” I snap.
“It’s cute that you think I’ll stop. Now”—he pauses and then adds—”let’s talk about the candy cane and how we should have done pineapple.”
“I’m hanging up.”
“Hold on.” He pauses again. “Just for the record, since I don’t think it’s sunk in…I told you so.”
“Goodbye,” I shout and then hang up the phone.
I then shoot a text over to Storee.
Cole:Get home okay?
Thankfully she texts back right away.
Storee:Yes, and the entire walk back, I swear I could still feel you inside of me.
Jesus Christ.
I drag my hand over my mouth, my smile impossible to hide.
Yup, she has captured me, mind, body—and dick.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
