Page 3 of Bossy Mountain Daddies
"Yeah." The light turns green, and I press the gas, turning right with no real sense of where I'm going. "They were... he was... God, Charlotte, he was going down on her. In our bed."
There's silence on the line for a moment, then Charlotte says, "That fucking asshole," with such venom that a strangled laugh escapes me.
"Yeah," I agree, wiping at my eyes with one hand. "That about sums it up."
"Wait, how do they even know each other?"
"He stopped by on my first day to bring me lunch."
"Jesus, Skye." Charlotte takes a deep breath and lets it out. "What did you do? Please tell me you threw something expensive of his out the window."
"I didn't do anything," I admit. "I just... left. They didn't even know I was there. I'm in my car now, driving around. I can't go back to work, Charlotte. I can't see her again knowing what I know."
"Of course you can't," she says firmly. "And you shouldn't. Quit. Right now. Text your resignation and come stay with me in Wyoming."
The offer hangs in the air, tempting and terrifying at once. Charlotte moved to Wyoming last year, taking a teaching position at a small college and falling in love with the mountains, the pace, the distance from our shared hometown. She's been trying to get me to visit for months.
"I can't just quit," I say, though part of me desperately wants to. "I'm broke, Charlotte. The apartment costs a fortune, and my student loans?—"
"Fuck the apartment," Charlotte interrupts. "He's the one who wanted it. Let him keep it and his shitty overpriced furniture. Pack your stuff and leave."
I turn onto a quiet residential street, slowing down to navigate around a group of kids playing basketball in the road. They wave me past, their carefree shouts following me as I drive on.
"I need the job," I insist, though my conviction is wavering. "I can't just walk away from a steady paycheck, even if my boss is sleeping with my boyfriend?—"
"And what about your self-respect?" Charlotte's voice is gentle but unwavering. "You really think you can go back there and pretend you don't know?"
My stomach lurches at the thought. "No," I whisper. "I can't do that."
"Then don't. Come here. Stay with me for a while. We'll figure the rest out."
I pull over to the side of the road, putting the car in park as I try to think clearly through the fog of shock and betrayal. Charlotte's right—I can't go back to that office. Can't go back to that apartment either, not tonight. The thought of facing Daniel, of hearing whatever lies or excuses he might offer, makes me physically ill.
"What would I even do in Wyoming?" I ask, but it's a question she doesn’t need to answer. I'm already mentally packing a bag, already imagining the relief of putting miles between me and this mess.
"Breathe clean air. Hike until your legs give out. Sleep until noon if you feel like it." Charlotte's smile is audible.
I look out the windshield at the quiet street, the manicured lawns, the life I've been trying to work toward that just crumbled around me. What am I holding onto? A cheating boyfriend? A boss who's been laughing at me behind my back? A glorified secretary job despite my degree?
"Okay," I say, the word carrying the weight of decision. "I'll come. But I need to grab some things first. When I’m sure they’re not in the apartment anymore."
"That's my girl," Charlotte says, relief evident in her voice. "Text me when you're on the road. And call me if you need me.I’m here for you and I know it feels so shitty right now but it’s all going to be okay.”
I end the call and sit for a moment, hands resting in my lap. The numbness is receding, replaced by a sharp clarity. I pull back onto the road, but instead of heading toward the office or the apartment, I drive toward the shopping center on the edge of town.
I need supplies for the drive. Toiletries, snacks, whatever else looks good. I'll need to stop at an ATM too and withdraw whatever cash is in my account.
As I pull into the store parking lot, I feel something unexpected flutter in my chest—not just anger or hurt, but something that feels like relief. Like I've been given permission to walk away from a life that wasn't making me happy even before I found Daniel and Alicia together.
I turn off the engine and check my reflection in the rearview mirror. My eyes are red-rimmed, my face pale, but I still recognize the woman looking back at me. She's wounded but not broken.
Wyoming. Mountains. A fresh start.
Chapter 2
Skye
Ileave the store with a bag full of road trip essentials—protein bars, a new phone charger, an extra-large Diet Coke and ibuprofin for the headache that's been building since I saw Daniel and Alicia together.
