Page 98 of Red Hot Roaster

Me

I fucked up. I hurt the woman I love. I need your help. Please.

Before the news could work its way to Pete (Mateo to Liliana to Pete) and he called me, I called him.

“Pete, I screwed up big-time with Rose. I need your help in making it right. Can you keep a secret?”

Chapter 49

Rose & Rafe

Rose

Iwas huddled on the couch with Pirate, still wrapped in my old flannel robe, still planning to spend the day there. Maybe I’d get dressed, maybe not. Either way, I was keeping my fuzzy slippers on. Even if I was going tonight.

Rafe

It was dark when we got up, but the streetlights showed another six, eight inches of snow. Good thing we had plenty of layers to wear. At least I did—Princess only had two. Luckily, one was a fur coat. I’d be piling her blankets in the back too.

Rose

Pirate grumbled when I leaned over to look past our Christmas tree and out the windows. The snow falling fast and furious confirmed the forecasts on my laptop from the local stations. Several inches by evening—so early for Portland. Should I locate those studded tires? Why bother? I wasn’t driving anywhere today.

Rafe

When the snow got heavier, I pulled into a truck stop and put on my chains. Probably should have done it back at the house, but I was in a hurry to get on the road. Baby girl was happy for the pee break, although I tried to prevent her from scarfing down snow. Didn’t want her to get too cold.

Rose

“Coming up next, Elvis with ‘Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me’,” the DJ announced after cautioning listeners to stay safe in all the snow. I muted my laptop and stretched out on the couch, head on the snowman pillow. Pi crawled up my legs and settled with a groan. Heavy and warm, like a comforter. Maybe I could catch up on my sleep.

Rafe

“Blue Christmas” faded into the background as I hunched and stared through the foggy windshield. It snowed harder as we got closer—and the dark didn’t help. We’d only stopped once more, for both of us to hit the head and grab lunch. I leaned back, and Princess immediately dropped her chin on my shoulder. Helping me navigate, maybe? Although her snoring put that in doubt.

Rafe

Snow powdering our heads, we climbed up the stairs to the front porch. I took a big breath and looked down. “Here we go, baby girl.” Before I had a chance to knock, the door swung wide open. “Hello, son,” said Pete, grinning ear to ear. “You made it in time.”

Rose

I startled awake when Lauren burst through the front door, shouting, “Wake up, Rose! It’s time to get down to the café!” It didn’t help that Pi jumped off me and started barking. Or that it was dark, with no inside lights except for the tree.

She skidded to a halt and stared at me. “You can’t go like that.” I looked down at my jeans and oversized flannel shirt (actually, Rafe’s shirt) and shrugged my shoulders.

“Wasn’t planning to go anyway.”

She pulled out the Mom card. “You can’t miss it—it was your mom’s favorite.”

I gave in with ill grace. “Okay, but I’m still wearing my slippers.”

She gasped when she saw my feet. “Oh, for the love of— Thankfully, your boy shoveled the sidewalks. And it seems like you brushed your hair.”

Well, yeah, if you counted my fingers. Lauren grabbed my coat from the hall tree and tugged me out the door.

Chapter 50

Rose

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