Page 32 of Fresh Tracks
After hittingthe sauna to wind down for the night, I make my way out of the gym. From the lobby, I can see a few inches of snow coating the ground and more coming down by the minute. I’m sure the roads aren’t great at this point, but the sports car I keep here has all-wheel drive and snow tires. That’s just life in the mountains.
On a Friday night, I’m used to the gym parking lot being empty. As I make my way outside, I see two camper vans parked toward the back of the lot. Standing next to them, I spot Grace and Josie. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I start to walk through the snowy parking lot. Even in my grippy boots, I mindmy steps so I don’t slip or fall and look like an idiot in front of them.
Nope. Too late.
My feet come out from under me on an icy patch only a few steps away from them. Between my post-workout soreness, the cold weather, and the hard pavement, everything in my body protests the sudden impact. I rock side to side on the ground groaning, but glad it seems like I’m intact, except for my pride.
“Hey! You OK there, Hot Boss?” Josie looks down at me with a smirk.
“Josie! Shut up!” Grace whisper shouts with a mortified expression.
I’m starting to see that Grace’s friend is a handful. I’m also starting to understand why Grace and Lizzy get along so well now that I think about it.
Josie ignores Grace, still smirking at me. “Can you get up or did you break your hip?”
An exasperated Grace tosses her head back before giving her friend a playful shove and gesturing at me. “You’re the worst. Help him up.”
I raise a hand, signaling for her to stay where she is. “I’ll manage, but thank you.” I prop myself up on my elbows before carefully standing, dusting the snow off my sweats and jacket.
I look at Grace who’s leaning back against her van and that’s when I notice what she’s wearing. She’s in a gray robe, chunky socks, and slippers. I notice Josie’s dressed just as casually in plaid pajama pants and an oversized hoodie. I guess they’re not going out anywhere tonight and heading straight back to their campsite. Something about knowing she’s just having a low-key Friday night with her friend instead of hitting the bars takes the edge off my nerves.
“The roads are going to be pretty rough tonight.Let me follow you back to your campground. Make sure you get there safe.”
“Oh, Hot Boss is protective too,” Josie says, flicking her eyebrows at Grace, who glares back unamused. “Are escorted rides on snowy roads part of her benefits package?” She pops her lips, emphasizing the last word.
“Oh my god, Josie. Stop,” Grace says under her breath.
I chuckle to myself, waiting for Grace to look back at me. “If you want that as part of your benefits package, sure.” I smirk at her playfully, earning me a cute little eye roll. “But really, I just want to make sure you two get back alright.”
They exchange a knowing look before Grace sighs. “We’re actually already at our spot for the night.”
I look back and forth between them trying to understand. Grace must sense my confusion because she gestures between the very empty parking lot and their vans.
The realization finally hits me.
No, they’ve got to be kidding.
There’s no way they’ve been parking and sleeping in their vans in the gym parking lot. I thought they’d be somewhere safe, like a campground or in one of her relatives’ driveways or something.
I guess that explains the slippers though.
My face must give me away because Grace rolls her eyes and glowers at me. “Oh relax, TJ. You said it yourself, you lived in a van while touring with a band.”
“I know, but—,” I start before Josie chimes in.
“But what? You think us girls can’t handle it?” She gives me a look that says she knows I just dug myself a hole. Shit.
I run my hand through my hair and sigh. “No, that’s not what I meant. I would just feel better if you were somewhere safe. And what would your brother or grandparents think if they knew youwere working for me and staying overnight in the gym’s parking lot? They’d think I’m the shittiest boss.”
Grace’s eyes flick to mine, worry flashing across her face.
I raise my hand between us. “Not that I would tell them,” I reassure her, remembering she was very adamant she wanted her family to find out she was in town on her terms. “Seriously, do I not pay you enough?” Jake was supposed to make sure she was paid more than fairly.
She shakes her head adamantly. “No. You’re paying me more than enough. Honestly, too much probably,” she says softly before smiling and tilting her head to her friend. “We’ll be fine. This isn’t our first rodeo.”
Something about this still doesn’t sit right with me. “Why don’t you follow me back to my place? I have a guesthouse.”
“Oh, that sounds fun,” Josie says grinning, but Grace’s expression hardens.
