Page 39 of Mountain Boss

It’s just one month.

It’s just twenty-nine days.

Chapter 30

Sterling

I turnand watch Courtney retreat down the path, folded up step stool bumping against the side of her leg as she goes.

I don’t know what the hell Fisher could have said to put that look in her eyes.

That fucking tear on her cheek.

I start to follow her. Ready to…

What?

The whole reason I came over here was to break up whatever chat-fest she was having with Fisher. And now, well, now they aren’t chatting anymore.

But…

I turn back around and head in the direction Fisher went.

Anger and jealousy and other emotions I’m not used to dealing with twist up my insides.

The idea of those two flirting was making me fucking lose it.

But that fake-ass smile. And that fucking tear…

I open and close my fists as I follow the small trail that goes up behind my house.

I can’t deal with people crying.

I don’t know how.

Blame it on being raised by an overworked single mom. Or the fact that my brothers handle their emotions about as well as I do. But I never learned the skill.

All I know is I’m going to peel Fisher’s skin off if he was mean to her.

Passing my back deck, I glance over at my hot tub.

I bet Courtney would like the hot tub.

My steps slow.

Maybe I can offer it up for her use.

It wouldn’t be pervy; the guys know they can use it whenever they want. They just don’t take me up on it much.

And I don’t feel a bone-deep urge to join them in the bubbling water.

Turning away from my deck with images of Courtney in a swimsuit, dripping wet, I face the view.

It’s hard to tell from the front of the house, but the land dips back here. And the forest splits around a small lake. Sparkling water below, mountain tops above… it’s the reason I built where I did. When this was just my home, not Black Mountain Lodge.

I bet Courtney would like this view too.

I roll out my shoulders and continue down the path.

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