Page 61 of The Cuffing Game
No wonder no one could find Noah out in the woods.
“You’re in Ms. Merritt’s cabin?”
Noah paused. “You know who she is?”
“Not personally, but I read about her when Damien and I were booking this lodge. Look, we called the police and there’s a search and rescue team looking for you right now. I’ll let them—”
“Odd request, I know,” Noah cut in, his voice uncharacteristically sharp, “but can you come get me yourself? Only if you feel comfortable driving now, of course.”
“What? Why?”
She glanced out the window. It was dark outside, but it’d stopped snowing a couple hours ago, so it was probably safe. She’d just need to borrow someone’s car...ifshewanted to go get Noah. He didn’t seem like he was in any real danger. Or at least, not anymore.
“I was able to talk to Ms. Merritt through her smart doorbell, and she remotely unlocked the cabin door,” Noah explained. “But there’s no food because she’s in the Bahamas for the holidays. That’s where I should have gone, too, honestly. No offense.”
Mia rolled her eyes. Sometimes shewishedNoah were quieter with her like he was with Celine. “I’ll come get you. But only under one condition.”
“And that is?”
“Say please.”
She’d expected him to protest or give her some pushback over her “inane” request. But he only said, “Please, Mia? It’s been a long day, and I don’t know how many more people I can take.”
It occurred to Mia that Noah didn’t include her in “people.”
She’d do this for any of her contestants, Mia reasoned. Not just Noah.
“All right,” she said. “I’m on my way.”
The only times Mia had ever driven in wintry conditions were the once-a-year days when it snowed in her hometown in Texas. Ms. Merritt’s cabin was only ten minutes away. Twenty, since Mia drove Kallie’s SUV at a snail’s pace. But it felt like an eternity.
By the time Mia arrived at the cabin, her hands achedfrom how hard she’d gripped the steering wheel. She parked the car in the driveway and stared, taken aback by what she saw.
Compared to how luxurious and huge the lodge was, the cabin was the exact opposite—small and simple, and almost eerie in the dark of the night. It looked haunted.
Mia wondered if she’d somehow navigated to the wrong house. But then the door opened, revealing the warm glow of a fireplace and ashirtlessNoah.
Mia started the engine back up and rolled down her window to shout, “I’m leaving! This is obviously a trap.”
A flash of confusion crossed Noah’s face. Then amusement as he looked down at himself.
“Sorry!” he called out. “My clothes got wet from the snow. I’m drying my shirt right now.”
He was smiling at her, but there was tension in his face. Everything about Noah looked haggard. His skin had gone pale and almost ashen. He was also... shaking.
Mia had one bar of cell service, so she sent a quick text to tell the crew she’d found Noah and that they were okay. Then she got out of the car, making sure to grab the bag she’d packed from the kitchen.
“You brought food!” exclaimed Noah, his entire face lighting up.
“You said you were hungry,” Mia replied. “And however much you might think otherwise, I’m not acompletesadist.”
Noah took the bag from Mia and walked her back to the cabin.
“No, definitely not,” Noah said. “Maybe an evil mastermind, though. If what you did withThe Cuffing Gameis any indication. You know, when I first gave you that idea, I didn’t expect you to...”
He trailed off. Mia glared at him. “Expect me to what?”
Noah shrugged as he pushed open the door. “I don’t know. Be really good at it. I thought you hated reality TV.”
