Page 49 of Stuck with Me

Rosie was right—it was the best blowjob I’ve ever received. But if she thought I’d give her the satisfaction of telling her that, she’s delusional.

While she blows off steam in the shower, I’m doing it outside in this fucking frozen wasteland. I push thoughts of Rosie in the shower, the steam enveloping her and the water sliding off her naked body, her fingers deep in her pussy, to the back of my mind. I’m too pissed to be horny anyway.

Rosie’s grandmother had my family’s heirloom. I need someone to make sense of this. But the only people who can do that, are dead. And now, that thought has me buzzing with pain.

With each swing of the axe, my pain, my anguish, my grief rises to the surface. When I bring the axe down to the log and it slices through the wood, a part of my chest cracks open with it. Despite the ache and rawness in my throat, I don’t cry. I force the tears back and don’t allow them to emerge.

I can only hope this is a,this is going to get worse before it gets better, situation. Because right now, it feels as if my heart is breaking in half. I’m right back to where I was six months ago when I got news Granddad died.

The pain is fresh again. Like an open wound. So exposed.

Despite the chill in the air, my skin warms and sweat trickles down my back. I take a break for a moment, but only long enough to strip off my jacket and chug some coffee. Even though it’s only lukewarm, the whiskey gives it enough heat to make it drinkable.

When I pick up the axe, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I wrestle with the idea of ignoring it. Of giving the excuse later that my phone was dead. In all honesty, with the power outage, I should conserve as much battery as possible. I packed one portable charger, but how long will that last me? One charge—if I’m lucky.

And so far luck is not on my side.

My shoulders quake with my heaving breathing. I tug my phone free from my front pocket and release a shaky breath once I read the name.

AMELIA

Heard a bad storm hit Colorado. You alright?

ME

Just peachy.

But we did lose power at the cabin.

AMELIA

We?

ME

Don’t start with me, Ams.

AMELIA

Fine. But I just hope that means you’re getting along.

ME

It’s complicated.

AMELIA

Nic. No! What did you do?

Her question implies I did something wrong. Which I didn’t.

ME

Her grandmother had Granddad’s compass.

AMELIA

THE compass???

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