Page 1 of Dirty Daddy

ONE

TESS

Don’t ever agree to drive eight hours in the freaking snow to meet your best friend's future in-laws! I lost cell service about an hour ago and my phone is nearly dead. I’ve never gone camping, road tripping or even left my fucking hometown until I applied for Brown and got accepted. Living in Rhode Island has been… an experience. I come from a small town where everyone knows everybody’s business and they all go to church every Sunday and praise God.

That was never where I wanted to spend the rest of my life.

I’ve always had this restless need to escape the confines of that town and get out into the world. It’s weird to explain, but I can just feel within myself that there is something more out there for me. I’m not destined to marry the boy I have known my whole life and went to school with like my mom wants. She was fucking livid when I told her I was moving. I haven’t spoken to her since I left. I’m majoring in English Lit. I want to be a writer.

I was born to be one!

I grip the steering wheel and lean forward, trying to see out the windshield better as the snow continues to fall without mercy. It’s starting to get dark and I’m worried I’m lost, but the GPS says to keep heading straight for another three miles andmy destination will be on the right. I haven’t seen any other mailboxes or cars for at least forty minutes.

I spot the driveway up ahead and sigh with relief. I pull in but stop when my phone begins to ping with notifications. I could weep at finally having service again. I put the car in park and bring up my chat with Peyton.

Pey

We’re running late!

We’re on the way.

Why aren’t you replying?

Tess?????

We can’t get through!

The roads are closed.

Tess? I’m worried, where are you?

Van just told me that you won’t have cell service until you reach the cabin. The roads are closed because of the snow. Me and the guys can’t get through. I hope you get this before you get there.

“What the fuck?” I breathe out as I begin to type out a reply.

Me

I just pulled into the driveway!

Pey

Oh my God!

Finally you reply.

Me

-What the hell am I supposed to do now?

My phone begins to ring with an incoming call, I answer and bring it to my ear.

“Peyton, what the hell do I do?” I hiss.

“Tess, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what else to say, I didn’t think the weather would turn this fast!” I scrub a hand down my face, this is what I get for having anxiety and always needing to be fucking early instead of late!

“Pey, I’m sitting at the end of the driveway. The snow is falling faster and it's nearly dark,” I whine. I’m not mad at her, I’m just pissed I’m in this situation because of my damn self.

“Hang on, Van wants to talk to you.” Before I can protest, Van's voice comes through the speaker.

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