Page 8 of Blame It On the Secret Santa

Once we got to the strip mall where Sugarplum Lattes was located, I unbuckled my seatbelt and reached for the handle.

“What are you doing?” he asked, turning around in the driver’s seat with a frown on his face as he looked at me.

“I’m getting out so I can go get coffee,” I replied sarcastically. “The drive-through doesn’t work unless you actually drive through it, and since you parked, that means I need to go inside.”

My head started to feel funny as my body suddenly felt lighter. I knew I was no match for the Percocet they gave me, but it was too late now. It was about to reach its peak, and I would be in for a wild ride.

“Fine. I’ll go through the drive-through.”

“But I also want some fudge, so I’m going to Sugarplum Sweets too.” My voice softened as a rush of euphoria washed over me.

I could see the tightness in his jaw as he clenched it. My evil plan was working and I was getting under his skin just like he had been getting under mine. I hated that I probably wouldn’t be awake long enough to actually enjoy it.

“I really don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be out walking in this.” His hands gripped the steering wheel tighter as if he were struggling to stay in control. “The snow is still coming down, and we already know everything is covered in ice. You could slip and fall again, and this time, you might not be so lucky not to break anything.”

“I’ll be fine. And I’d just like to remind you thatyouwere the one who insisted on taking me to run my errands.” I twisted my finger in the air playfully.

“Alright, but when you’re in more pain later from overdoing it, I don’t want to hear it.”

“Yeah, well, thankfully, by then, I’ll be at home, warm and away from you, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

Before I could finish my sentence, he had gotten out of the car and slammed his door before coming around to open mine.

Six

Sean

The line in SugarplumLattes was almost out the door and I worried about Cassidy standing for so long. She didn’t seem to mind as she faced forward and talked to everyone around her but me. It didn’t bother me much until I noticed her body start to sway and how unsteady she appeared to be. Not only that, she turned and smiled at me which was a given sign of danger. Sheneversmiled at me.

When we reached the counter, her brother Sam was working one of the registers and eyed us cautiously as I guided her forward.

“Hey...” he said, staring at us. “Am I missing something? Are you guys back together?”

“Nope,” Cassidy replied, emphasizing the p at the end. “Just came for some java. Some roasted beans. Some of the good stuff. Holly jolly fill you up buttercup goodness.”

Sam’s brows wrinkled together tightly as he looked from her to me.

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