Page 105 of The Holiday Grump
Grace was gifted at sourcing things and had quickly transformed the little shop into a makeshift pillow fort, complete with camping mattresses and a portable hot plate. It was all very dangerous and illegal, and would have been so much fun, had I not been the worst camping buddy in the history of camping.
It was Thursday night, and something had been happening in the bookstore all day. Felicity’s van stood outside, the window was covered with cardboard, and the noise they were making carried through the wall. Needless to say, we hadn’t been able to use the bookstore bathroom.
I’d snuck out earlier to use the bathroom at the library, which was now closed. If Fredrik never left the bookstore, I’d have to venture out into the night to a bar or a restaurant and risk being recognized. The library had been so quiet that I’d been able to sneak in and out without bumping into anyone. It probably helped that I had borrowed Grace’s beige jacket.
As well as needing to pee, I was desperately curious. What was Fredrik doing to his store? Was he selling it to cover his legal fees? I needed him to leave so I could use my secret spare key and take a peek.
When I was ready to burst, I finally heard the engine. Ipeeked through a tiny gap in the window and saw his car driving away. Finally!
I grabbed the key and ran through the darkness, letting myself into the bookstore.
I didn’t want to turn on the lights, but even in the faint glow of streetlamps and Christmas lights from the street, I could tell something dramatic was happening.
The store was empty. The shelves were gone. There were boxes along the wall, maybe housing the books. The desk and the armchairs were gone. Drop cloths ran across the floor and buckets of paint stood by the back wall. He was selling!
My throat clogged with tears, but my bladder wouldn’t let me stop for any longer, so I continued upstairs. Once I was done using the bathroom, I decided to take a quick shower as well. When would I have that opportunity again? I could only hope Fredrik didn’t notice a towel missing. I’d have to take it with me.
Afterward, I dressed up and wrapped my hair into a towel turban, taking a quick look at my old bedroom on the way. It still had furniture, but the desk had been moved to the side, and a big cardboard box stood next to it.
I snuck a little closer, trying to see if it had any writing on it. Perhaps I could just open a flap and take a peek inside.
The lights flicked on.
“I knew I could count on your curiosity.”
I jumped, letting out a choked cry, and turned around, my heart pounding. Fredrik leaned on the doorframe, breathing heavily. He looked on the verge of tears—or maybe just in pain.
My body jerked, ready to run, but he’d blocked the onlyentrance. So I stood there, frozen, a thousand confusing thoughts crashing through my brain.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m trying to get him off your back. I have a plan, I promise. I’ll lead him away from you. I’ll make a deal with him if I have to. I won’t let him destroy you.”
“What are you talking about? Nobody is destroying me.”
Was he playing dumb?
“Spencer! He said he’ll sue you, and I know he means it. But don’t worry. I’m leaving, and I’ll lead him away from you.”
“He won’t sue me.” Fredrik took a step closer, and I saw my opening.
I charged past him and down the stairs. I had to get out, right now. I wasn’t strong enough to stay away from him. I’d destroy his life. My eyes blurred with tears, but I made it across the floor and to the front door, fumbling with the lock.
I heard him cursing on the stairs. “Please, Noelle… I have a broken rib.” He groaned in pain, and I stopped.
He was coming after me. If I ran, he’d follow. He’d puncture his lung or pass out or something.
I couldn’t let that happen.
I leaned against the door, catching my breath, listening to his slow footsteps. With the dramatic lighting, it could have been a scene from a horror film, but all I felt was compassion. He was hurt. Was it because of Spencer? Because of me.
When he reached me, he pinned me against the door. My heartbeat skyrocketed, and my body flooded with something warm and debilitating, like a drug. I couldn’t move at all.
“I’m going to hold you like this until I catch my breath… and we sort this out,” he grumbled into my ear, his breath choppy. My knees felt soft, no longer supporting my weight. Despite his pain, he was holding me upright. “You’re a bit of a flight risk.”
I wanted desperately to dive into his arms and stay there. But it was selfish and wrong. “I can’t let Spencer ruin your life. I can’t.”
“He won’t sue me. He has zero evidence. He wasn’t hurt, either. The doc checked us both. He’s fine. I have a fractured rib, so if anyone should sue, it’s me.”
My hand hovered over his chest without my permission. I wanted to take his pain. “Fredrik. I’m so sorry.”
