Marry Grinchmas (Moosehead Minnesota Series Book 1)(11)

“My daddy bought it as a cheer up gift for me and my new place, when I find one.” She grumbles in a whisper. Little does she know? She found one already, because she is never leaving me after last night.

I notice Chip is standing there doing nothing after we have finished and Avalynn clears her throat. It dawns on me that the little shit wants a tip. Granted, that old piece of junk was heavy. Fishing out a twenty from my pocket, I shake his hand leaving the money behind as I squeeze his hand harder than I need too.

“It’s not polite to stare at other people’s girls, Chippy. Don’t let me catch you again.” I warn him. It is Christmas time, after all. As I close the tailgate, I notice Avalynn’s eyes have grown wide and she isn’t moving over to the passenger door of the truck to open and climb in. Following her gaze, I notice that douche mobile is slowly driving by us. “Babe, do you know that dick?” I ask. She shakes her head “Who?” as she hops into the truck. Why the fuck did she just lie to me?





WHAT THE HELL? AT FIRST I couldn’t get my mind to catch up to what my eyes were seeing. Jasper! It couldn’t be. What the heck would he be doing here? I tried to deny it at first, until I looked at the license plate. There is no mistaking a license plate that says ‘Romeo1’. He is such a prick. But I still can’t figure out what he would be doing in Moosehead. As far as I know he has no family here. And if he has no family here, then that means he is here for me. But how did he know where I was? As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I knew, Mom. She is so obsessed with me marrying him for the status she would totally tell him where I am in hopes that I would go back with him. Damn it.

Ham’s voice brings me out of my stupor. “Babe, do you know that dick?” Oh no. I know I need to tell him the truth, but before I can form the words, the lie slips passed me. “Who?”

Did I really just say that? I know he didn’t buy that for one second, but at this point, plausible deniability is my only option. I mean seriously. No one in this town pays enough attention to know I am here, and it’s been less than 48 hours. The chances of him finding me are slim to…oh crap. Nana!! I have to get to Nana and tell her not tell that asshole anything. I don’t actually think she will, but she is always a wild card so I never know. Oh boy. That means I have to actually say something to Ham. Here goes.

“Ham.” He is pissed. He won’t look or answer me as he drives the car down the road. “Ham. I need you to take me to Nana’s. I need to talk to her. Ok?” I wish I could stop fidgeting with my hands in my lap, because that just screams guilt, and I really do feel guilty.

“Does what you got to talk to your grandma about got anything to do with the douche in the Corvette?” he asks, and though it is phrased as a question, I can read between the lines. What he is asking me to do is fess up to the lie so we can move forward. I want to, I really do especially after last night; but it is still raw what Jasper did to me, and it makes me want to cry. Instead, I look out the window and say nothing, acting like the coward I am when I ran away instead of facing the humiliation.

“You goanna answer me girl? I saw your face back there and though you brushed it off like I’m a moron or something, clearly seeing that car shook you for a second. After what we shared last night, and this morning, I would hope you would know you could talk to me about anything. But what I won’t do Avalynn, is be with someone who would lie to me as it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. So, I am only going to ask one more time. Do you know the guy that drives that tiny dick mobile?”

I feel a tear escape my eye before I can stop it, and the next thing I know we are pulled over on the side of the road. Ham reaches for me, sits me in his lap, and rubs my back while I weep into his shirt. I hate this. I should be happy, basking in the afterglow of what we shared. Instead, I am once again surrounded by my own self-pity and shame when I did nothing wrong. The man holding me in his arms does not deserve this. He definitely deserves better. This is why I didn’t want to start something right now because I am not equipped to handle a relationship.

“Baby girl, talk to me. What is going on? Whatever it is, it can’t be bad enough for you shut me out like this.”

“Ham I just…I can’t. It is too painful to talk about again and knowing he is here means my mom wants us back together. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know where I had gone.”

“Fuck no!! That is the idiot who broke your heart and you think I’m going to let you go back to him. Well fuck that!! Fuck him, your mom, and face anyone else who tries to stand between us. Look at me baby.”

I raise my head to look in his eyes. The fierce determination I see there, causes me to exhale deeply and I feel faint. Knowing this beautiful creature feels so much for me that he is willing to stand in the way of all obstacles makes me feel warm, protected, and needed.

I must have moaned because Ham says, “Not here greedy girl. You said you needed to talk to your grandma so we stop there first. Then I take you home and have dessert. Now give me your lips.”

Earth shattering is the kiss he lays on me. It’s wet, demanding, and consuming. It is exactly what I need.





FUCK THIS DICK! WHO THE fuck does he think he is riding around my town, pissing me off? He’s got my girl still crying over his ass. When I pull away from her mouth, she whimpers.