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She belonged with us, here in Bridgewater. Now she just had to say it.
“And if I don’t, are you going to spank me?”
Those were fighting words.
“Hell, no. Spanking’s for when you need a good fucking and your mind’s elsewhere. This?” I waved a hand at her. “This is you using that smart brain of yours.”
“Then don’t tell me to simmer down. I have every right to be mad at you two. If you two think I could do that—hurt all those people and destroy Charlie’s legacy in the process…” She shook her head and grabbed her purse. “If you think that, then clearly you don’t know me as well as I thought.”
She bolted for the door before we could stop her.
“Clearly, you don’t know me at all.”
***
CATHERINE
Tears were blinding me, making it hard to see the road as I drove back to Charlie’s to grab my things. My cell was ringing, but for once, I ignored it. If it was Roberts, I’d probably go postal. But he’d done his damage for the day. It was Sam and Jack. I knew it, but I didn’t want to talk to them. Not now.
I swiped at the tears as I ran inside and threw my belongings into my suitcase. I hated crying, always had. I’d overreacted back there and I knew it. But still, the fact that Sam and Jack thought so little of me hurt more than I cared to admit. I might not want to stay in Bridgewater, but that didn’t mean I wanted to hurt the people who’d only been nice to me. Yeah, I was a ruthless lawyer, but I wasn’t heartless.
I’d known then and there that it was time for me to go. Those two had been my weakness—to think I’d almost considered staying for them had me jamming my makeup into the toiletry case with more force than needed. When I walked into Sam’s house, a little part of me had actually been hoping they’d convince me to stay. Okay, a big part.
I just wanted someone—no, two someones—to want me for me.
Anger had my hands shaking as I wadded up clothes and threw them into the luggage. First Roberts rubbed my face in the fact that he’d stolen my case and then Sam and Jack basically accused me of being a money-hungry, callous bitch.
That made up my mind for me and I sped down the two lane highway toward the Bozeman airport. I wouldn’t stay here if that’s the way they felt and I glanced in my rearview mirror as the lights of Bridgewater faded away. Lightning strike, my ass. Besides, I had to get back now or risk losing my chance at the partnership once and for all. I could get a flight to Denver tonight, then be on the first flight to New York in the morning. Maybe there’d even be a red eye. I’d be in the office by nine. This was the right decision. The inevitable choice. I’d always put career first and nothing had changed that, especially since two hot cowboys weren’t standing in the way any longer.
I was far too early for my flight so I went to the airport’s one restaurant with the view of the runway and the mountains in the distance. At the bar, I ordered a wine and settled in to wait. I downed the first glass trying to quell the churning pit in my stomach. My mind kept flip flopping between the job I was heading back to and the could-be life I was leaving behind i
n Montana. I ricocheted back and forth between stress and an aching loneliness.
Shit, where the hell was the bartender with my second glass?
Elaine called while I was waiting. Seriously, how long did it take to open a new bottle? Her familiar voice should have been a comfort, but at that particular moment, it was another reminder of what I was going back to. The catty office backstabbing, the alliances and the battles as if we were in some sort of battle to the death and not co-workers at the same firm. Roberts was ruthless, vindictive and had zero ethics. Perfect for a lawyer.
“Did you hear the news?” she asked as soon as I answered.
“I’m fine, thanks for asking. And how are you?” The bartender came over, filled my glass all the way to the top. When I glanced up, he tilted his head toward my phone, then winked.
She ignored my lame attempt at a joke. “Roberts is telling anyone who will listen that you’re too soft to be partner. Can you believe that jackass? He told Ronald that he’d scared you off and—”
“I’ve got to go, Elaine. My flight is boarding.” I clicked ‘end call’ before she could respond and took a gulp of my wine. I still had an hour before I had to get to my gate but I couldn’t listen anymore. I just couldn’t. And not because I was so angry but because I just didn’t care anymore. I’d hit my limit on caring about this shit. It all suddenly seemed ridiculous. Juvenile, even. New York seemed a million miles away and that’s where I wanted to keep it.
I. Didn’t. Care.
Freedom washed over me in an exhilarating rush. Fuck that place. Fuck Roberts. Fuck Farber. They could all suck a dick.
It was like I’d just torn off a pair of blinders and could see clearly for the first time in forever. Why was I going back there? For what? A job that wasn’t rewarding in the slightest, a firm that didn’t value me in any real way, a life without friends besides Elaine or lovers who knew exactly what buttons to push to make me hot, to make me scream. A love life without one boyfriend, let alone two. Why would I choose that over what I had here?
In Bridgewater, I had a family legacy. I had roots. I had a town full of people who seemed to truly care about me. Maybe most importantly, I had something a lot like love.
Holy shit. Love.
The thought of Sam and Jack made my heart squeeze in my chest. Maybe they were right and what we had was the real deal. I’d felt more in just a few days than I had my entire marriage with Chad. The only way I would know for sure was if I saw this through, whatever the hell it was. I remembered Jack’s term, lightning. Could lightning strike at an airport bar?
The bartender grinned broadly as he held up the wine bottle, silently asking if I wanted more. I belatedly realized he was returning my smile that wasn’t brought on by the wine. I was beaming like a goddamn moron and I didn’t care.
