CHAPTER ONE
Mason: Hey, bro. You did say you’re bringing someone, right?
I wince as I read the latest text from my brother. Seriously? I can’t believe he’s asking me thisagain? It’s not like he hasn’t asked four or five times already and my answer has always been the same. Apparently, a simple ‘no’ isn’t good enough so he’s resorted to twisting his question. Is it really that big of a deal?
I totally get it, he doesn’t want me to feel like a third wheel or left out not having someone with me while we’re vacationing, but the truth of the matter is I’m perfectly fine being solo. I kind of like that the door is left open for possibilities, you know, should I meet someone when we’re out and about downtown or we’re hanging out at one of the local taverns.
Me: Yes, someone’s coming with me
Wait, that wasn’t the answer I was supposed to send him.Crap!
I click the little dots out beside the message but unsending it isn’t an option and neither is editing my response.Well, shit!Within seconds, it shows that Mason has read my text and he’s already typing out a reply.
Mason: That’s what I’m talking about, Miles. I’ll let Caysee know that you’ll need the extra bedroom instead of the pull-out sofa
It’s a good thing my brother is in Huntington and not standing in front of me because I’d probably throw the phone at him. How dare he play with my head that way. What am I supposed to do now? Telling him that I meant to say no rather than yes is only going to make it harder for me in the long run. Because some things you just can’t take back! Not in this family. Not without it leading to more questions.
I definitely want a room over some pull-out sofa. Who wouldn’t? Those things are hard and lumpy, and if I’m being honest…really gross to sleep on. Not to mention, I’d also have zero privacy.
That’s not to say that I won’t hook up with someone while we’re there, but in case I do, I wouldn’t want to disrespect my brothers and their wives because I’m forced to take the sofa that’ll be smack dab in the middle of the living room. Sure, we’re all adults, but I don’t care to see Mason and Caysee or Morgan and Breah getting all romantic and shit with each another. And I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t want to see me, either.
What in the hell am I supposed to do now?
Now I feel bad—not really—because Mason and Caysee are footing the bill for renting the cabin this year and if I had to guess, I’d say that a three bedroom costs more than a two. I suppose I could offer to pay the difference if it’s going to be an issue, but Mason was the one who set me up, repeatedly asking me the same stupid question. So if anyone should feel bad, it should definitely be him. But that still doesn’t solve the real problem here—I’m not currently seeing anyone. Nor do I know anyone right offhand who’d be willing to ‘stand-in’ as my fake girlfriend on such short notice.
With my hands folded together and my two pointer fingers wedged under my chin, I look around my place. Surely there’s someone who’d like to getaway to the mountains for a few days, someone who’d be okay sharing a bed together. Someone who wouldn’t mind playing along…
An hour later, I drop my phone down on the side table next to my recliner. The loud clank is enough for me to pick it up and examine the screen to make sure it didn’t crack. Frustrated doesn’t even begin to describe the way I’m feeling about this entire situation.
From Marissa needing to finish her Christmas shopping, to Nadia having to cover extra shifts at work, I’ve heard enough excuses why no one can go next week. Oh, but it gets better. Willow is volunteering at the nursing home and Julie-Ann basically admitted she’d rather baby sit for her neighbor than play around in the snow with me. I can’t make this shit up! At this point, I’m willing to sleep on the floor—not actually in the bed—if it means someone, anyone, will come with me.
Perhaps I’m not making it clear. All I’m asking is a few days. No commitments. No strings attached. And when we get back home, she’s free to go. Unless, of course, she’s had the time of her life and she’d like to pursue something further.Ha!In which case, I’d be up for that.
Now what?
I tell myself there’s still time, no need to panic, but the odds don’t seem to be in my favor. After four rejections in less than an hour’s time, I’m not sure I can handle another one. I’m definitely going to remember this the next time someone calls me up needing a last minute favor.
CHAPTER TWO
I slide my suitcase behind the seat then climb inside my truck. This ten hour drive is going to feel more like twenty, considering it’s just me and this empty passenger seat. At this point, I know I should let it go. It’s not like I didn’t try.
I remind myself that it’s going to be a great week. A couple inches of snow is expected and we’ve picked out some great places to eat. Of course, reservations have been made for six but it’s better to be a person short than to have more than we made the reservation for, right? They’ll just have to understand that Lila, or Paige, or Layken—whichever name I decide to use—got sick at the last minute and wasn’t able to come. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
A fresh supply of wood has already been stacked on the back porch for us and the hot tub should be just the right temperature. From the stress of this trip and the craziness with the season coming to a close, I can’t wait for a long soak.
Mason and Caysee’s plane should land right at dark and Morgan and Breah left out last night. Their drive wasn’t much further than mine, but they wanted to stop along the way and visit with her parents.
Since I’m getting a head start, I volunteer to pick up a few groceries as soon as I get into town. Earlier, I had everyone chime in via a group text what they wanted to snack on, then I wrote out a big ass shopping list before I went to bed, making sure to include a few adult beverages. Naturally, the girls named off several different kinds of wine and my brothers were quick to point out that they were good with ‘whatever,’ but I know better than to buy just any old beer. A couple cases of some hard cider should get us through for a few days and then we can go back for a second run. There’s probably way more stuff on this list than what we’ll really eat, but it’s better to have too much than not enough.
With a couple hours left to go before I get to our cabin in Black Hill Bend, I pull off to fill up my truck and to touch base with everyone. My phone begins to ring as soon as I send out the group text.
“Would you believe this is the second time they’ve delayed our flight!” It’s obvious from the tone of Mason’s voice that he’s livid. He’s practically shouting right now. “If we don’t board soon, we’ll likely miss our connection. Which means we won’t make it in tonight.”
“That’s not good.” Even though he made me mad about this whole ‘bringing-someone-along’ crap, I’m still looking forward to seeing him. It’s been far too long since we’ve spent some quality time together.
“Hell no. The airport is all kinds of crazy right now, too. Flights are getting rescheduled and it’s just a huge mess. I get that it’s the holidays, but we’re still two weeks away. It shouldn’t be this way now.”
“I’m sure it’ll all work out. Even if you guys get here late, the airport should hold your rental for you. Maybe give them a call just to confirm.”
