SNOWED IN (Complete)

Chapter Thirteen

AFTER WE GOT HOME and installed everything I purchased, I only managed to make Colton smile once that day.

"This is going to be the safest place in New Lake," I said with a grin.

Colton shook his head. "Are you sure I can't convince you to head back to school?"

I giggled. "And miss seeing those dimples for another three weeks? Nope, not going to happen."

Colton still didn't crack a smile.

"You know, what's about to happen is completely your fault," I said. "I just want you to know that, okay?"

"Excuse me?" Colton asked with a frown.

I bent down and balled up a handful of snow. With a mischievous grin, I threw the snowball directly at Colton's chest.

"Did you really just do that?" he asked.

I didn't respond. Instead, I balled up more snow. Once it was just right, I chucked it at him, hitting him square in the shoulder.

"Oh, you are so going down, Claudia." His smile returned as he gathered enough snow to make ten snowballs.

I screamed and turned as he pelted me with the freezing, cold ammo.

"Oh, you can dish it out, but you can't take it?" he teased.

Holding up both hands, I announced: "I surrender."

Colton dropped his remaining snowballs and raced over to me. Before he could scoop me into his arms, I pulled a snowball out of my sleeve and shoved it down the back of his coat.

He stripped off his coat and tackled me to the ground. Snow crunched all around us as he held his body over mine. "You, my dear, are in big trouble."

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TWENTY MINUTES LATER, WE were both cold and exhausted. Colton helped me into the house and out of my snow-packed jacket.

"Aren't you glad I didn't leave?"

Colton kissed me on the head. "Yeah, I really am."

"Will you be okay if I take a quick shower?" I asked him. "I'm freezing and I haven't had one in two days. If I'm not careful, my smell may repel you."

He laughed. "Doubtful, but you better go. Just to be safe."

I headed toward the bathroom but grabbed a fresh change of clothes first.

_____

I FINISHED DRYING MY hair and reapplying my mascara. I felt a million times better. I slid on my favorite pair of jeans and a black hoodie.

Colton's face lit up like a little kid on Christmas. "How is it that every time I see you, you somehow get even cuter?"

The corners of my mouth twitched. "What if I told you I felt the same way?"

He rolled his eyes. "Listen, I thought after everything that's happened today, maybe—I mean, if you want—maybe I should stay here one more night?"

"I'd like that," I said.

"Okay, but I do need to run home and check on my mom and Buddy. It will be light for a few more hours. Your cell phone still works, right?"

I nodded. "Barely, but yes, I can receive calls."

"If anything—and I mean anything—happens or if you get scared, just call me and I'll be right over, okay?"

"Deal," I responded. "I'm going to get some writing done. Who knows? By the time you get back, I might be finished with another chapter or two."

"You're amazing," he said. "You know that?"