Page 27 of Snowbound with My Dad's Best Friend

Bad in the sense that if we continue doing this, I have no choice but to tell him about Damian.

This means that I will also have to tell him about his parents.

It’s a double whammy.

Although I’m not worried about protecting them.

It’s their fault everything happened the way it did.

If they hadn’t threatened me, I would’ve stayed.

Damian would know who his father is.

Who am I kidding?

Yes, they played a part in my leaving, but it was my decision.

The blame is on my shoulders.

I pull my sweater back over my head and find my boots thrown across the living room.

Steven smiles as he watches me fetch my clothing like a scavenger hunt.

“What’s so funny?” I ask as I step into my shoes.

“Nothing. I’m just happy that you came over tonight. I just wish you didn’t have to go.”

Sighing, I sit next to him again. “I know. But the storm.” He nods, telling me he understands. If only he truly did.

Leaning in again, I kiss him tenderly, not wanting to pull away and stand up.

As I pass through the living room, I catch a glimpse of the window, and my stomach drops the moment I see the city with snow already lying on the main roads.

“Shit,” I say quietly as I rush outside and stand on his porch, barely seeing my car through the blizzard that’s coming down fast.

How am I supposed to get home to my son if I can’t even see my car a few feet in front of me?

Panic sets in, and my heart starts to pound against my chest.

My parents are home with Damian, but this means I’m going to have to stay here…with Steven.

All night.

Steven walks out, standing beside me on his front porch as we both watch the clumps of snow plopping down, putting layer after layer of white snow down to earth.

“You aren’t going anywhere in this mess,” he comments, looking out and up over the tin roof of the porch.

“Yeah, tell me about it,” I snap back at him. “I guess you got your wish of not wanting me to leave.”

Steven chuckles, but I find it hard to find humor in any of this when my son is at home and I can’t be there with him.

“I guess I have no choice. I’ll text my parents, letting them know I’m safe but can’t come home.”

As I continue, I turn and walk back into the warm house.

Steven goes into his room, finding me clothing to sleep in while I lie to my mother, telling her that I am staying in the city at some motel since I can’t get home.

He returns shortly, holding a large T-shirt and a pair of his pajama pants.