Page 30 of Snowballing

I don’t know how long we played, but it was dark by the time I realized I was starving.

“You hungry?” I asked.

“I could eat.”

“We’ll have to make your dad bring us snacks next time,” I said.

“I didn’t even think of that!”

“Too busy kicking butt!”

He laughed and gave me a high five. I felt my phone vibrate and realized I hadn’t checked it for hours.

A few texts from Jack and three…weather alerts. What ice storm?

“Sorry, guys.” Eli yawned as he walked in. “I fell asleep. I would’ve brought you some food, but I guess Christmas wiped me out.”

Or you jacked it and then fell asleep in a post-orgasm haze?

“I guess there’s some sort of ice storm?”

“What? Really?”

It was too dark to see out the windows, so we all headed to the front door. Sure enough, when Eli opened it, branches were swinging in the wind and there was a definite ice mix coming down. In the glare of the porch’s light, the walkway looked slick. Eli closed the door quickly, stopping the icy stream of air.

My phone vibrated again.

Jack: Power is out. Neighbor says it’s been out for a few hours.

Jack: Might want to stay the night with your special friend.

“Shit!” Oops. “I mean, damn.”

“What’s wrong?” Eli and Trey both asked at the same time. I could see where Trey got his kindness from.

“My roomie, Jack, just said our power’s out. Apparently, it’s been out a while.”

“You can stay here for the night!” Trey said, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards- “Can he, Dad? Pleeease.”

“I mean-” Eli tried to reply.

“You saw the sidewalk and the sleet and rain and stuff. It’s not safe out there.”

I chuckled at his protectiveness.

“You’ve got a king bed. Gareth can share with you.”

Wait, what?

“I’d be fine on a couch,” I said.

“Or the guest bedroom?” Eli suggested, eyes boring into his son.

“That works too.” Trey shrugged. “What if our power goes out?”

“I’ve got some wood stacked on the back porch. We can light up the fireplace and all sleep on the floor in front of it if that happens.”

I hoped the power went out. That definitely made me a bad person.