Page 130 of Steamy Ever After

“Relax. Another one will be by eventually. The blizzard’s far from over.”

The wind cut through her clothes and she shivered. Tears of frustration threatened, but she forced them back. She just wanted to go somewhere warm and dry.

At least the road was somewhat cleared. It was still snowing but they could at least walk where the plow had been. There was no point heading back toward Jasper Falls. The exit ramp was too steep and the Motor Inn was probably closer.

But first, she needed to pee. “Turn around.”

“What?” He stood beside the car, which looked like a giant snow drift.

“I have to pee and I’m not trekking into the woods. Turn around.”

“You’re going to piss on the road?”

She really couldn’t hold it. “You’re seriously the most annoying person on the planet. Can you just give me five seconds to myself?”

He held up his hands and rotated until he faced the car. Several seconds passed in silence. “Well?”

“I…I can’t go. You’re too close.”

He let out an aggravated huff. “If you think I’m trekking into the woods so you can piss in private you’re out of your damn mind.”

“Just shut your eyes and…put your fingers in your ears.”

“This fucking girl,” he grumbled and plugged his ears, then yelled, “Okay…”

With her dress hiked up to her hips and her panties pulled aside, she tried to keep her balance. What if another plow came by? She panicked then a slow trickle started, and once she started, she couldn’t stop. After hours of drinking and not using a bathroom since she’d left home, she had a lot to get out. Finally, she finished and jiggled her bottom dry.

Righting her dress, she stood. “Okay, I’m done.” He remained still with his fingers plugged in his ear, so she nudged him. “I’m finished. You can turn around now.”

He rolled his eyes. “My turn.” Without waiting for her to look away, he unzipped and shot a stream of pee into the snow bank.

“Oh, my God, how about a warning?”

“I gave you one.”

“You’re disgusting.” She started walking in the direction of the Motor Inn.

The soles of her heels glided like ice skates over the thickening layer of slush, salt, and newly fallen snow. Her exposed legs were frozen to the bone after ten minutes. Luckily, the Motor Inn wasn’t too far up the road. But she prayed for another plow truck to pass.

Giovanni caught up to her, his breathing heavy and his sniffles steady as he bunched his shoulders under his coat. “Remember when snow used to be fun?”

She didn’t answer, mostly because she didn’t remember snow ever being fun. Snow kept people trapped inside. Sometimes, snow even caused stores to close. When the hardware store closed, her dad got angry. When her dad got angry, he got violent.

Nothing was worse than getting hit on top of a day old bruise. Blizzards were battle zones. She’d never been a great student, but she loved school for the simple fact that it provided sanctuary from the hell she faced at home.

When the sign for the Motor Inn appeared up ahead, she could have cried with relief. She’d tried her cell several times along the walk but still couldn’t get a signal. She vowed the moment she moved out of Jasper Falls she was moving directly next door to a cell tower. This entire county was a cyber black hole.

“You never told me why you’re staying outside of town,” she said, trying to pass the time as her stiff legs worked to reach the motel.

Again, he shrugged. “I wanted privacy.”

“How come you didn’t stay at the new Brick Hotel? Fancy new comedian, shouldn’t you spring for a suite? You’re like Jasper Falls’ first celebrity resident.” She was poking at him, well aware that he had a long haul to reach celebrity status.

“Maybe I was avoiding the paparazzi.”

“Oh, okay.” Her sarcasm was unmistakable. “What kind of money do comedians make, anyway?”

He glared at her.

---