Page 5 of Stuck with Me

But I also hate her. And this town. And everything about this situation.

As I kick the snow clumps with the toes of my new boots, I remind myself, why I’m doing this. My granddad.

Maple Ridge, Colorado is the last place I want to spend my holidays. Being stuck in this frozen wasteland with two feet of snow on the ground and locals milling about with friendly greetings as they pass me pisses me the hell off. Maple Ridge has serious Stars Hollow vibes. My little sister Amelia is addicted to Gilmore Girls and would absolutely lose her shit over it.

My heart swells a bit in my chest as I think about Amelia. Even though my hands are freezing, I tug my phone from my pocket so I can take a few pictures and send them to her. She wanted to come with me to see Granddad’s cabin, but she wasn’t flying home from Italy until this afternoon. Her college abroad program is only giving her ten days off for the holidays.

I send Amelia a text with a photo of the snow falling onto the sidewalks with some of the streetlamps already glowing and wrapped in twinkling lights.

ME

Remind you of somewhere?

She responds immediately.

AMELIA

Ahhhh! It’s so pretty! I wish I was there.

ME

Next time.

AMELIA

It’s so unfair you’re there and I’m stuck in warm, dry Texas with the parentals.

ME

If it makes you feel any better, I wish I was home.

AMELIA

What’s the granddaughter like?

ME

Bitchy.

AMELIA

You think every woman is like that until you get to know her. Give her a chance.

ME

Guess I’ll get the chance the day after tomorrow.

AMELIA

You didn’t ask if you could spend Christmas with her? She’s practically family.

ME

Our relationship is strictly business.

Thinking about Rosalie as family feels wrong and has my near hard-on confused.

AMELIA