Page 100 of Married With Malice

As I sort through the events of the last twenty-four hours, I’m acutely aware of just how much luck has come our way.

First, there was no explicable reason for me to go looking for her. We were supposed to meet for dinner in the evening. I’d been sequestered in a conference room all day, staring dully at my laptop screen and waiting for the hours to pass. Entire monologues were composed in my head as I prepped for what I’d say to my wife at dinner.

It was only midafternoon when I said fuck it, snapped the computer shut and decided I couldn’t wait any longer. She didn’t answer my text so I went searching for her at the spa. All I found was one rather jumpy staff member who said Anni had left a while ago.

On my way up to our room, the manager stopped me in the lobby. The weather forecast had changed from a few possible inches of snow to at least a foot and a half at this elevation. The single road up and down the mountain would be closed until the plows could get through, which wouldn’t happen until the snow had stopped falling.

This didn’t even sound like terrible news to me. My only plan was to devote all my time to Annalisa. Being snowed in through New Year’s would be a great chance for us to shut out the rest of the world.

But she wasn’t up in the room where I thought she’d be. She didn’t answer her phone. And the keys to the rental car were missing.

An anxious dash out to the parking lot confirmed that the car was gone.

What came next was freaking anarchy. I nearly gave the manager a heart attack when I physically collared him and barked out a demand for the security footage.

All the noise and commotion attracted the Gentry brothers. Got to give them credit. As soon as they heard the story, they didn’t stand around and wring their hands and offer lame shreds of advice.

No, the three brothers nodded at me and said, “Let’s go find your wife.”

I’m indebted to those men for eternity.

There aren’t enough words of gratitude in any language. They don’t know this yet but I’ve already made sure the bill for their stay was taken care of. It’s not much of a gesture but I couldn’t think of anything else.

By late evening, Anni was going a little stir crazy in the room and wanted to attend the resort’s New Year’s Eve party. Outside, the sky is clear and the roads will be plowed tomorrow but for tonight we’re all stuck here.

Now, with only an hour left until midnight and the beginning of a new year, we find ourselves hanging out in the lounge while surrounded by members of the Gentry family.

Creed peers at Chase with a frown. “Are you aware that there are dicks on your tie?”

Chase gulps a cup of hot chocolate and then wipes away his whipped cream mustache. “They’re not dicks. They’re bananas.”

Creed shrugs. “From a distance they look like dicks.”

Chase examines his tie. “If your dick looks like this then you ought to see a doctor.”

“For fuck’s sake, I didn’t say MY dick looks like that.”

“Quit cursing. And stop making fun of my tie. It was a Christmas gift from my son.”

Creed snorts. “I can guess which son. Must be Kellan.”

“Correct.” Chase beams. “My boy’s got good taste just like his dad.”

“He gave you a dick tie as a joke. I don’t think he meant for you to wear it to a New Year’s Eve party.”

“Insult my tie again and I’m stealing your hot cocoa.”

“Junior, you try that and you’ll be WEARING hot cocoa.”

“Boys.” Cord holds up a hand to signal peace. “No brawls tonight. We promised the ladies.”

Chase notices that I’m watching their bickering match. “Hey Luca, are you gonna drink your hot cocoa?”

I hand over the cup. “All yours. I haven’t touched it.”

“Score.” He takes a big gulp. He manages to dribble some on his banana dick tie.

Annalisa is curled up on the sofa with her legs tucked under her and surrounded by the Gentry women, who have been fussing over her nonstop. Anni takes a sip from her mug of hot chocolate and then catches my eye.

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