Page 20 of Dad Bods and Blizzards

That’s even more fucked-up than I thought. I collapse onto my bed. Money. How stupid of me. If I hadn’t been worried about money, I would have gone straight to my friend’s house.

Am I no different than my father? If he wasn’t in financial trouble, he wouldn’t have stolen from me. He wouldn’t have put a dollar amount on me.

Oh God. The ride he’s arranged… Is it with Griz, Tubs, and Woody? Surely they know I stole their truck. Soon, they’ll find out I wrecked it.

Tears stream from between my closed eyelids.

“Where is she?” Griz’s voice roars from downstairs.

I bolt upright. Glance at the window. It’s my only option… Unless this princess who’s locked away in her tower is going to wait for Tubs to rescue her. A dark laugh huffs out of me. They have a huge file on me. That’s not how fairytales work.

It’s time to quit being naïve, no matter how good it feels to be oblivious. I’m taking control of my life.

This little lamb won’t be eaten by the big bad wolf. How did that name choice not clue me in?

Grabbing a pillow, I slam it against my window. Glass shatters. But when I move the pillow, the hole is only big enough for freezing cold air and snow to enter, not for me to exit.

I slam the pillow against the glass again and again, making the hole bigger, then grab my blanket to throw over the bottom so I don’t shred myself on the way out. Being small finally gives me an advantage.

Banging on my door accelerates my heart rate.

I fumble my bags then throw them out the window so I can kind-of carefully straddle the exit. The loudest bang yet is followed by wood splintering and a gust of air flowing past me.

“Don’t do it. We’re here to rescue you!” Griz’s voice calls out.

Glancing over my shoulder, I see the damage. He busted through the door. I lose my balance, flailing to reach the tree limbs.

My life flashes before my eyes. My head hits something hard.

There’s a faint sensation of floating and warmth. Then nothing.

Thirteen

Tubs

I rush into Naomi’s room behind Griz, who darts across the room.

Fuck! Naomi falls through the broken window. My heart stops.

Griz slaps a hand on her leg just in time to stop her from plunging into the darkness.

“Get her home.” He pulls her limp body into the room, checks her pulse, and passes her to me with fear in his eyes. “Make sure she’s okay.”

I cradle her against my chest and fly down the stairs.

“What’s happening?” Naomi comes to and shoves weakly against my chest.

I hold on to her for dear life as we pass Woody, who has Dennis pressed face-first into the wall near the front door. Woody says, “Hurry, before they get here.”

“Who?” she asks.

“I’ll explain everything once you’re safe.” I set her in the passenger side of the truck and buckle her in. Hesitating, I kiss her cheek. “Please trust me.”

Closing the door, I rush to the driver’s side. She stays put, possibly from disorientation, but it’s enough for me to get her out of here.

With one hand on the steering wheel, I use the other to wipe a trickle of blood from Naomi’s hairline. It’s already clotting. “Do you need a hospital?”

“Where are you taking me?”

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