Page 27 of Next in Line
Bracing myself, I reply, “It’s like a silo that you can ice climb. It’s a thing.”
“I know it’s a thing…but how do you know it’s a thing?”
“Some guys who checked into the bed and breakfast told me about it. They said anyone can do it.”
“Have you ever even climbed before?”
“Like ice, you mean?” I ask.
“Like anything. A wall…a cliff…a StairMaster?”
“StairMaster…yes!” I exclaim with a big smile. “I slay it on a StairMaster. Do you think that’ll help with the iced silo?”
Sam groans and scrubs his hands over his face. “You can’t go ice climbing, Maggie. That’s like advanced level stuff.”
“There are safety harnesses, and the guys said beginners could do it. I’ll be fine!” I exclaim, just as Sam directs me to pull into a driveway.
“You won’t be fine,” he retorts, “so you’re not going.”
My eyes fly wide as I throw my car into park and eye him fiercely. “The hell I’m not! You’re not my keeper, Sam!”
He stares at me through the darkness, the faint blue light of the dash illuminating his face as he inhales and exhales so heavily, his nostrils flare. “What time are you going?”
“Around ten, why?” I snap.
“Where?”
“Peterson Farm, why?” I snap again.
He nods. “I know the place. I’ll take you.”
I bark out a laugh. “Sam, it’s not necessary. Those guys will be there. I’m sure they’ll be helpful.”
“Exactly why I’m taking you. You don’t know those guys from fucking Adam.”
“Well, I didn’t know you either, but that didn’t stop me from going ice fishing with you.”
“I was vetted by Marv.”
“Oh yes…Marv’s word is the gospel apparently.”
Sam glares at me. Leaning across the center console, he gets so close I can feel the heat of his breath on my face. “I’m going with you unless you want to tell your brother what you’re doing so he can accompany you.”
“No!” I reach out and grab Sam’s forearm. “I can’t tell Miles because then he’ll know something is up. I didn’t do anything adventurous as a kid. I was more the read a book or go take a dance class type. If he finds out I’m silo climbing, he’ll know something is up.”
“Then I’m going,” Sam states firmly with a casual shrug that makes me want to shake him. “You’re my best friend’s little sister, and I’m not letting you kill yourself on a frozen silo for a fucking football player.”
I bite my lip and turn to face the house. It’s a quaint little two story with a garland wreath on the front door. It looks nothing like what I imagined Sam would live in.
Trying to change the subject, I grumble through clenched teeth. “Whose house is this anyway?”
“My mom’s,” Sam replies, exhaling and sitting back into his seat again.
“You live with your mom?” I ask, feeling disappointment in the little fantasy I have swirling in the dark parts of my mind that I don’t want to admit to.
“No, Maggie, I don’t live with my mom. I was here having cake with my mom and my sisters when Miles surprised me with this birthday outing. My vehicle is here.”
“You’re not driving home,” I state worriedly, preparing to back out of the driveway and kidnap him if I have to.
