Page 10 of Jingle All the Plays

“Bo! Don’t leave me.”

Fuck. My heart is cracking inside my chest cavity. She’s terrified. I can’t waste time explaining myself. I rip at my laces and yank my skates off. I tug my boots back on and head over to the swing where I start digging like a mad man in the snow.

Fuck. There’s a rope intact. I just hope—

I can’t think that way. I grab the tire and the rope and head back to the ice.

“Hang on, baby. I’m gonna stay back so as not to crack the ice any further. I’m gonna slide the tire over to you. Just grab onto it and hang on. Whatever you do, don’t let go.”

Her lips are already turning blue and her teeth are chattering as she nods her head shakily.

“I got you, baby.”

“Okay, Bo.”

My chest tightens around my heart, squeezing the ever loving fuck out of it as I slide the tire her way.

“I-I c-can’t reach it.”

Fuck.

I yank it back so hard it almost flies into my face. I hang onto as little rope as I can and slide the tire again.

“I got it.”

“Got a strong grip, baby?”

“Y-ya.”

“Don’t let go. Just hang on. I got you.” I start tugging on the rope and she comes out of the ice with a grunt. Slowly, carefully, I pull her all the way to my warm body where I take off my jacket, wrap her in it, and scoop her up.

“I’m so c-cold,” she mumbles into my neck.

“Shh…don’t talk. You’re gonna be fine. You’re gonna be alright, baby. I got you.” My heart is thrashing out a death metal beat, but I have to ignore it. I just have to get her safe. That’s all that matters.

She’s all that matters.

All that ever has.

Chapter 8

Maisy

“We’re done here, Maisy. No more games.” Bo’s look pins me to the bedroom wall as I put on the extra gym clothes he had in his car while Percival dries mine. The t-shirt is massive, coming down to my knees. But I feel human again after that warm shower.

Percival was beside himself when we told him what happened, asking what I needed. All I needed was to get warm, so he lent us a guest bedroom to use for as long as we needed. Told me to take a nap if I wanted. Don’t think I need that though. If it were up to Bo, we’d be leaving here as soon as my clothes are dry, but I’m not that much of a wuss.

“I might be a bit soft, Bo. Sure, but I don’t give up. We’re going to finish this contest, and I’m taking that bat home.”

“Fuck. You can just have the bat.”

“You can’t just give it to me now. I’m going to earn it. And you’re going to compete with me, honestly, to get it for…for whatever reason you need it.”

“For my nephew.”

“Stephen?”

His eyes widen as if I shocked that I’d know his name.