Page 14 of Blame It On The Carols

“Hey, Curtis. What’s up?” I answered, twirling a strand of hair around my finger while ignoring the conversation Aiden was having behind me.

“Where are you?”

His voice sounded panicked, which immediately made me feel panicked.

“I’m in Sugarplum Falls. Remember, I told you I was coming here to spend time with my mom and do that caroling competition?”

“Shit.” He exhaled heavily on the other line. “How big is the town you’re in?”

“I don’t know,” I replied, trying to keep myself calm. “It’s not big by any means. Why? What’s going on? You’re starting to freak me out.”

I wasn’t sure if it was the tone of my voice or my words that grabbed Aiden and Jackie’s attention, but it was now on me.

“We got a few packages delivered to you today. I went ahead and opened them, and....”

I raised my eyebrows, sitting on pins and needles while I waited for him to spit it out.

“And?” I prompted.

“It’s bad.”

“Curtis, you’re killing me here. Just tell me what’s going on.”

“I don’t want to freak you out, but it seems Kevin is back.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“I wish I was. The packages have lingerie andtoysinside them, but I think it’s definitely him. We also checked your PO box, and there were a handful of letters, all from him.”

I puffed my cheeks full of air and slowly let it out. This was not the news I wanted to get.

“Fuck.”

“Yeah, fuck is right,” he agreed. “Send me the info on where you’re staying, and I’ll send a security team your way. We already know this guy is crazy. I don’t think we should risk your safety right now. Especially in a small town with few places to hide you.”

“I’m staying with my mom,” I whispered, immediately hating that I was now putting her life in danger. “Shit.”

“What’s going on,” Aiden asked, gently touching my elbow to get my attention. His eyes were locked on me, worry evident by the way his brow creased in concern.

“Hold on for a second, Curtis. I’m going to put you on speakerphone.”

“Okay. Are you trying to set me up with someone? I mean, I’m not opposed to small-town life, but I could get on board if he’s cute. Is he cute?”

“Oh my God,” I said with a laugh, which felt good given the way my blood pressure had spiked from the worry he’d created. “Stop being ridiculous. I’m at my friend Aiden’s bar, so I’m going to put you on speakerphone so we can figure out the next step.”

“Aiden, as in the guy you’ve been desperately in love with since the day I met you?” he asked the second I turned the speakerphone on. I closed my eyes and winced—and nowsuch unfortunate timing.

“Aiden, this is Curtis, my manager. Curtis, this is Aiden,” I said through gritted teeth, feeling the heat of Aiden’s gaze on my face. I knew my cheeks were flushed with heat, but it wasn’t like I could try to deny anything after what had just happened between Aiden and me.

“Nice to meet you,” Curtis said. “And since it seems I’m not your type, I’ll get straight to it. Makayla has had a stalker for at least six months now, and we got packages delivered to the studio for her today. When I checked her PO box, I saw a stack of letters he’d sent as well. I know that she’s planning to spend Christmas in Sugarplum Falls, but I would feel better if I sent a security team down to watch over her.”

“A stalker?” Aiden questioned, looking directly at me as I let out a shuddered breath.

“It’s a long story,” I said, dismissing the look he gave me. “I don’t know that it would be the best idea to send a team here, Curtis. We’ve seen how much attention they draw when I go on vacation. I can only imagine what would happen if they tried to blend into a small town.”

“I can’t just pretend I don’t know that there’s a threat,” Curtis objected. “According to the photos he attached to his most recent letter, he knows you’re traveling.”

“What do you mean he knows I’m traveling?”

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