Page 87 of One Big Little Secret

First thing’s first, though.

Climbing back in the car, I bask in the warmth for a second as I search for the nearest towing company and call.

The receptionist is polite and sympathetic, but there’s been a slew of accidents tonight. They can’t get to me for at least an hour and advise me to call 9-1-1 if it’s a true emergency.

The next place tells me it’ll be an hour and a half minimum.

The third place, way less polite, says it’ll be well past midnight.

“Mommy?” Arlo asks cautiously as I rest my forehead on the steering wheel. “Can’t we go home? I’m cold. Is the car broke?”

“The car’s a little broke, honey, yeah.”

“I’m still hungry, too.”

Oh my God.

Don’t cry. You’re a strong woman.

You’re alive and well and so is your son. Don’t scare him.

“I know,” I say roughly, swallowing the rock in my throat.

We need to get home before it gets much later, but that ship has sailed. It’s already dark and freezing. Neither of us came prepared for weather like this, and I’m afraid if I grab the spare blanket from the trunk, we’ll lose what little heat the car has left.

But it is cooling off in here way too fast.

We can’t sit here for hours hoping help shows up.

I’m going to be sick.

Kaylacouldhelp us in a pinch, if she’s sober tonight. Even if she’s not, all she’d have to do is snap her fingers and someone would send a tow truck over, probably faster considering who her daddy is.

Landing me in moral debt for life.

But I never bothered replying to her latest message earlier, hounding me about when she can drop by for an intro to the magnificent Patton Rory.

It’s the worst time for jealousy, but my brain doesn’t care.

I hate her dating life.

Almost as much as I hate that I’m still in debt to her forever over this damn job.

Wait. This job.

Higher Ends has a commercial snow removal crew for clearing out their properties, doesn’t it?

My stomach knots.

I hate asking anyone for special treatment, buuuut…

Surely, I’m allowed to use one company perk. And it wouldn’t land me in a vicious cycle of obligation like asking Kayla would. I’m not sure she knows what friendship means if it isn’t transactional.

I grab my phone and start typing.

Hey, it’s Salem. We had an accident. We’re a little stuck in the storm and the tow places are buried inwork tonight. Any chance you could hook a girl up with one of the company guys? Just to dig us out and get a ride.

Sighing, I hit send on Patton’s contact.

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