Page 224 of Mountain Boss

Sighing, I turn around and lower myself to her top step.

If someone sees me, I’ll…

I scrub a hand over my face.

If someone sees me, I’ll tell them to fuck off.

Thirty minutes later,my girl appears.

Her hair is wet and twisted in loose braids.

She’s wearing a sweatshirt and soft pajama pants, ready to stay in for the night.

And I feel a pang in my chest because there’s no sign of my flannel anywhere.

The others might not have noticed when she wore it. But I did.

And she’s not wearing it anymore.

I stand as she approaches, taking the few steps down so we’re on even ground.

Courtney is holding a bundle in her arms. Her towel wrapped around her clothes from earlier.

And she looks just like she did last night.

Cautious.

A little nervous.

Alone.

I flex my hands at my sides.

I want to reach for her.

But I don’t know if that’s what she wants.

I don’t know ifI’mwhat she wants.

Chapter 168

Courtney

I slowas I approach my cabin.

And Sterling.

Instantly, my hands feel clammy, and my stomach starts to twist.

I’ve spent all day going over what I want to say to him.

I’ve literally run through a dozen variations of how to start this conversation.

But now that he’s here, standing in front of me, all my words are getting jumbled up in my throat.

Because I don’t want to do this.

I don’t want to end this.

---