165. Sterling
Chapter 165
Sterling
The guys asked a few questions about Court, but I answered them blandly. Feeling like a bigger and bigger asshole with each word out of my mouth.
I want to tell them she’s mine.
That I’m becoming unhealthily attached.
But… she works for me.
She is my maintenance person.
And I don’t want to admit that I, the boss, am sleeping with one of my employees.
It’s a bad look.
It’s an unfair balance of power.
It’s unethical.
If I could tell them she was my girlfriend… Maybe that would be better.
But right now, telling them I’m just sleeping with her feels wrong.
Then again, treating her like she was just another employee felt fucking horrible.
I scrub a hand down my face.
Maybe if I had remembered what today was, I could’ve talked to her. Maybe set some expectations or something. But I’d completely forgotten.
It wasn’t until I got a text letting me know they were on their way that I realized it was my night to host.
So I had thirty minutes to clean up my living room and dig through my freezer to make sure I had enough frozen pizzas on hand to throw in the oven.
We watch most of the football games at the Inn, but we each take turns hosting once throughout the season.
Since my schedule is so chaotic, I don’t get to watch most of the games, but tonight is my night. And it was too last minute to cancel.
“Anyone need anything?” I ask as I push up from my chair.
Everyone shakes their heads, plates still half full.
In the kitchen, I look out the window in the direction of the firepit.
I can’t see it from here, but I hope Courtney is there.
I hope she’s enjoying herself.
And I hope the look I saw on her face wasn’t real.
I hope I didn’t hurt her.