Page 208 of Mountain Boss

Chapter 154

Sterling

I feel like such a prick.

I really am busy. Trips into town, avoiding Courtney… It’s hard work.

But I need some time for my damn hands to heal up. I don’t want her asking me more questions.

I typein my code and unlock Courtney’s door.

I managed another day without talking to her. Always had someone else near me when she was around so we were never one-on-one.

But I can’t hold out any longer.

I’m leaving tomorrow with another one of the crews. And I thought I could leave without touching my girl. But I was wrong.

So fucking wrong.

I make sure to close the door quietly behind me and leave my boots in front of the dryer.

Then I strip on my way to Courtney’s bunk.

Her lights turned off two hours ago.

I’m sure she’s fast asleep.

I just want to hold her.

Breathe her in.

Feel her warmth.

Chapter 155

Courtney

The woodsI’m walking through morph into a city park.

It’s summer, and the pavement is radiating heat.

I’m so warm.

And… I’m in a dream.

My dream self takes a slow breath.

I love it when I know I’m in a dream.

And not because it means I’ll have a nice dream, but when I know it’s a dream, I don’t have to feel scared if something creepy happens.

I keep walking, tipping my face up to the sunshine.

There’s something familiar about this place.

And when I look around, I realize it’s not a park but a campground.

And the pavement has turned to gravel.