Page 51 of Bossy Mountain Daddies
"I won't be coming to get my things," Skye says, her voice suddenly calm. She crosses her arms over her chest. "But I'll arrange for someone to pick them up."
Daniel's face twists with ugly satisfaction. "Oh yeah? Who? Your new fuck buddy here?" He gestures at me with contempt.
"That's none of your business," Skye replies. "Just expect someone before Friday."
"Better make it quick," Daniel sneers. "I'm not making any promises about what condition your precious shit will be in. Accidents happen, you know."
Something snaps inside me at the thinly veiled threat. I step forward, drawing myself up to my full height, using every inch of the advantage I have over my son.
"That's enough," I say, my voice dropping to a dangerous register I rarely use. "You need to get the fuck off my property. Now."
Daniel's eyes widen slightly, but he quickly masks it with a scoff. “Oh, now you're defending her honor?”
I take another step closer. "Don't test me, Daniel."
We stand there, locked in a standoff, father and son separated by years of resentment and now this new complication.
"This isn't over," he says finally, backing away. "I want my money and I’m going to get it, no matter what it takes.”
And with that he turns and walks away.
Skye and I stand there stunned.
"I can't believe you're his father," she says again, looking at me as if seeing me for the first time. "Does this... does this change things between us?"
The question hangs in the air, heavy with implications. Does it? Should it? I honestly don't know. My son hates this woman. But my son also seems to hate me, and there's nothing I can do about either of those things right now.
"We'll figure it out." It’s all I can come up with right now.
I reach for her hand, and after a moment's hesitation, she lets me take it.
Chapter 15
Skye
The drive back to town is quiet. Griff seems deep in thought, and I stare out the window, watching the trees blur together. My ex-boyfriend is my new lover's son. It sounds like the tagline for a terrible made-for-TV movie, and yet here I am, living it.
"You okay?" Griff finally asks, his voice rough at the edges.
I almost laugh. Am I okay? I just found out that the man I've been sleeping with is the father of the man who cheated on me and broke my heart. The universe has a warped sense of humor.
"I don't know," I answer honestly. "This is... a lot."
He nods, eyes fixed on the road. "For me too."
We lapse back into silence. What else is there to say? Sorry your son is my ex? Sorry this whole situation is beyond fucked up?
The trees give way to buildings as we enter Flounder Ridge. The familiar sight of Jed's garage appears, and Griff pulls up outside it.
"Thanks for dropping me here so I can check on my car," I say, my hand on the door handle.
"I can wait and drive you to the bar if you’d like," he offers, his eyes meeting mine.
I shake my head. "I'll walk. I need to clear my head."
Something that may be hurt flashes across his face, but he nods. "I understand."
I step out of the truck, then pause. "Griff... we'll figure this out, right?"
