Page 60 of Mountain Grump
My heart starts to pound.
I need a guard dog.
Or a bear.
Or a…
I lean to the side and look out the window.
A familiar white pickup with green lettering down the side pulls into view.
I flatten myself to the wall again, and this time my heart thuds for a whole new reason.
Ethan is here.
I look down at myself.
Why did I put on my oldest pajama shirt today?
The engine cuts off as he parks on the gravel in front ofmy house.
If I try to run for my bedroom, he’ll see me through the windows.
I really need to get curtains for the living room.
I look down at myself again.
I’m in my standard pajamas. A pair of non-thong underwear—today it’s bright green boy shorts—and a giant T-shirt that fits like a dress. This one is white, and even though it goes past my butt, it’s so worn you can see the green of my undies through it.
Maybe I can make it to the bedroom and change without him seeing me.
Maybe he parked facing away from the house.
Then I hear a door slam shut, and I know I’m stuck.
I hold my breath, like it’s a masked man approaching and not the man I made out with two hours ago.
A few seconds pass, then a fist pounds on the other side of the door.
I knew it was coming.
I know who’s there.
But my stupid body still reacts as though it’s completely surprised by the noise, and I let out a little shriek.
I slap my hand over my mouth.
“Tilda.”
Even through the door, his voice crawls across my skin, making my nipples tighten.
I lower my hand to my throat. “Yes?”
“What are you doing?”
“Um…” I can’t think of a single answer. “Nothing. What are you doing?”
“Visiting you.”
