Page 25 of Entangled
“Fuck,” he mutters, rubbing the back of his neck.
I point to the phone on my wall. We’ve had a landline forever, and my father has no plans to get rid of it. “You can use mine.”
“Thanks.” He crosses the room and lifts the receiver, frowning as he dials. “How the hell did we remember all those numbers before cell phones became a thing?”
I shrug. “Address books?”
“Yeah, maybe. Hopefully, I got this right.” Relief floods his face after a moment. “Austin, hey. It’s Henry. Thank fuck you answered.” He glances at me. “Yeah, I’m borrowing a friend’s phone.” A smirk curves his lips, and his ears turn a little red. “Yes, that one. Listen, man, I know it’s late, but I really need your help. The battery on my truck shit the bed, I can’t find my cell, and I’m stranded on the mountain. Is there any way you can come jump start me?” He nods. “Whenever works for you.”
“Excuse me,” I say, waving to get his attention. “Sorry to interrupt, but I have an idea.”
“What’s up?”
“Why don’t you crash on my couch for the night and have your friend come in the morning? It’s never a good idea to venture up our road in the dark. I’ve heard it’s treacherous on a good day. And with all the ice…”
He covers the receiver with his hand. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“I wouldn’t offer if I did.”
“Thank you.” He addresses his friend, “Austin, I can wait until morning if that’s better for you.” He nods. “Perfect. Give me a time, and I’ll be ready. Better yet, call me at this number when you’re on your way. I appreciate it, man. I owe you one. Later.” He hangs up and leans against the counter.
I tilt my head to the side. “Thought you didn’t have any friends?”
“Austin is one of the few. Probably the only one who’d even consider helping me out right now. He’s a great guy. We’re neighbors.”
“Where do you live?”
“In a secluded cabin in the woods.”
“Why does that not surprise me?”
He lifts an eyebrow. “Look who’s talking.”
“I guess that’s fair,” I say, moving closer to him. “You want some tea or cocoa?”
“Nah, I’m good. Thanks.”
Nodding, I point to his legs. “Why are your pants wet?”
“Slippery out there. Fell on my ass a few times.”
“You look really cold.”
“Good assessment, Princess.”
“Then let’s warm you up, shall we?”
Henry’s dark gaze burns into me. “What did you have in mind?”
9
HENRY
Mood Music: “Desire” by Calvin Harris and Sam Smith
Rowan closesthe distance between us. “Well, I’ve got more dry clothes and plenty of blankets.”
Dry clothes and blankets. Right.
