Page 53 of Bossy Mountain Daddies
I explain everything—how he just showed up, how pissed off he was, how he said I owe him money.
"So let me get this straight," Charlotte says slowly. "You're sleeping with your ex's father, who you met by complete coincidence when your car broke down? And Daniel just happened to show up at his house today?"
"That about sums it up," I sigh. "Oh, and Daniel's threatening to throw all my stuff out of the apartment by Friday if I don't come get it."
"What an asshole. What are you going to do about the situation with Griff? I mean, that's beyond complicated."
I reach the bar, stopping outside to finish our conversation. "I don't know. And it's not just Griff. There's Buck and Ford too. I've never felt this way about multiple men before. I didn't even think I was capable of it."
"Oh, I didn’t realize there was more than one guy you’re into," Charlotte says. "Babe, are you sure this isn't just a reaction to Daniel cheating on you? A way to feel wanted after being betrayed?"
Her question makes me pause. "I don't think so," I say, but doubt creeps in. "It feels real. They're all amazing men and I’ve connected with them in different ways."
"I'm not judging," Charlotte assures me. "I just want you to be careful. This sounds like an emotional minefield."
"Yeah," I agree, staring at the wooden sign swinging above the bar's entrance. "That's exactly what it is."
I glance at the time and realize I need to go in to start my shift. “I’ve gotta go. I promise to call you again soon so we can chat more about this. And I didn’t even get a chance to ask how you are. Everything okay with you?”
“Don’t worry about me, babe. Everything’s good here. Just take care of yourself. And call me soon.”
After we hang up, I stand outside the bar for a moment, gathering myself. Charlotte's right—this is a minefield. And I've just stepped right into the middle of it.
The bar is already humming with early evening customers when I step inside. Ford stands behind the bar, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows as he pours a beer. Buck's voice booms from the kitchen, calling out something to Vanna.
Vanna spots me first. "There you are! Thought maybe you weren't coming in."
"Sorry," I mutter. "Got held up."
Her eyes narrow slightly, but she just nods. "Well, you're here now. Ford could use help at the bar."
I make my way behind the bar, feeling Ford's eyes on me as I approach. His gaze feels too perceptive, too knowing.
"Everything okay?" he asks quietly, delivering a beer to a waiting customer.
"Fine," I lie, reaching for an apron. "Just a weird day."
He studies me for a moment longer, then nods. "Take over for me here for a little bit? I need to check our inventory."
I'm grateful for the distraction of work, for the simple mechanics of pouring drinks and taking payments. But my mind keeps slipping back to Daniel's words at Griff's house.
"I wouldn't have cheated if you hadn't made my life a living hell."
Is that true? I fumble with a bottle, nearly dropping it. Was I really so terrible to him? I think back to our last few months together. I was working late, yes. I wasn’t the perfect girlfriend. But a living hell? That seems like an exaggeration, a way to shift blame.
"Can I get a whiskey sour?" a man at the bar calls out, snapping me from my thoughts.
I nod and start mixing the drink, trying to focus. But my hands feel clumsy, my mind elsewhere. I add too much lemon juice and start over.
A memory surfaces: Daniel reaching for me in bed, me turning away, already half asleep.
But that doesn't justify cheating. It doesn't justify fucking my boss in our bed.
"You okay there, sweetheart?" The customer's voice breaks through my spiraling thoughts. "You've been shaking that drink for a long time."
"Sorry," I mumble, pouring the over-shaken whiskey sour and sliding it to him.
From the corner of my eye, I see Buck emerge from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. His eyes find me immediately, and he starts to move in my direction. I turn away, pretending to be busy organizing bottles. I can't handle his kindness right now, not when I'm so unsure of everything.
