Page 2 of Holiday on the Rocks
“It’s a blizzard, Allie. You’re lucky your plane made it there today. It’s just mother nature.” Lexi let out an annoyed huff.
“Well, mother nature is clearly a psycho bitch with multiple personalities.” I white knuckled the rental car steering wheel as I curved through the snowy Colorado mountains.”
“Just get to the Vrbo and relax. The photos looked stunning.”
“Yeah, but a woman alone in the middle of nowhere by herself? I think I’ve seen this movie and it does not end well.” I groaned.
“Well, some of the crew might have made it before the storm. Maybe you won’t be alone.”
“Why in the hell is our friend the one person who thinks a winter wedding is a good idea?”
Lexi laughed. “You watch it. Emily is in a delicate mental place right now with the entire Midwest on a snow lock down a few days before her wedding.”
That’s when I heard her voice in the background. Yes, Emily’s an emotional fruit loop on a good day, so the last thing I needed was a discussion with her. “Lexi, I’ll let you go.”
“Is that Allie?” Oh shit.
Before I knew it Lexi was replaced by Bridezilla.
“Allie, you made it to Colorado? I hadn’t realized your plane left so early.” Her voice had an eerie desperation to it I did not care for.
“Yes, I left at six this morning and landed before noon. But I really need to go, these mountain roads are slick?—”
“You have got to go to the church first thing tomorrow. There are two fake Christmas trees I had shipped there. They set them in a storage room. You need to put them up, one on each side of the altar, exactly fifteen feet from one another. There’re also boxes of ornaments and lights. You have to do this. The church must look like a magical Christmas vision. By the time I arrive I’ll only have a day or two before the wedding, and I’m freaking out a little.”
“Didn’t I tell you last summer this was the worst idea ever?”
I think I heard an artery blow, and I giggled as she clearly spoke through gritted teeth. “I’m going to kill you if you don’t shut your mouth.”
“Be careful, I’m the only one here to set up your stupid magical Christmas trees. Maybe I’ll just find a bar and not do any wedding stuff. You know tequila and I are close.”
She let out a long breath. “I’m sorry for snapping. I would owe you big if you just make sure the Church is decorated and beautiful. You know it’s been my dream since college.”
“I know, Emily. I promise you’ll have the glorious holiday wedding of your dreams.”
I took a curve and my stomach plunged as the tires slid.
“I’ve got to focus on driving. Text me when the blizzard blows over.”
“Got it, love you, Allie.”
“Right back at ya.” I disconnected the call.
I slowed to fifteen miles an hour and had some control of my vehicle. It appeared I was the only dumbass zipping around the mountains. Maps said I was only seven miles away from the house. I could do this.
It was then I realized the Vrbo would have an empty kitchen. I had counted on anyone but me arriving first and filling the fridge with yummy food. Was there a Taco Bell anywhere close? Two hard shells and a Pepsi?
My stomach clenched as the tires slid left. I stood on the brake but the car didn’t slow down. At all. I saw the edge of the road and the drop ahead of me. Oh mother trucker, it was happening.
I gripped the steering wheel as my stomach did a free fall when the hood of the car went over. Deep crunching sounds in combination with grinding while a scream escaped me at the same time cracking filled the air. Shards of glass slid across my face with instant stinging as cold air whooshed through the broken window.
My head hit the steering wheel as my seatbelt locked and dug into my hips. Airbags punched the side of my head and my face, and there was instant ringing in my ears from the force. As the car rolled on and I saw an upside down tree and wondered what the fuck I ever did to Karma.
As the car rolled again, the red can of Coke I’d bought at the airport for later zipped past me, slammed into the front window, and then my forehead. Clearly the word of the day was fuck.
Abruptly the car stopped when it slammed into a tree and the seatbelt dug deeper into me. I took some breaths as I hung upside down attempting to get oxygen back into my lungs. My body shook uncontrollably, as warm blood ran down my face, well up my face since I was bottom up. I grimaced at the sting when my hand touched a cut on my forehead, and I pressed my glove against it attempting to stop the bleeding.
The past and present swirled together, and I couldn’t control my tears. My heart pounded a violent beat as I reminded myself that this accident wasn’t like the last; I was conscious. I could move my legs. I could get out of this.
