Lesson learned.
Never bring the substitute to the original’s sanctuary, especially when the original still owns the damn air in it.
I took Isis to a place that still smelled of Chesteria’s hair and echoed with her laughter. And for what? Just to get called out for saying therightname at thewrongdamn time? Man, I should’ve dropped her ass off at thebottomof the mountain.
“Isis, it’s too early. And what did I tell you last night about that mouth of yours landing you outsidewith the furry-assuninvited mountain guests who don’t knock.”
“And who are those?” she asked stupidly.
“Wolves who don’t pay rent, bears who ain’t got no boundaries or give a fuck about yo’ skincare routine, and whatever else up here treat fresh meat like brunch. What I said still stands. The only difference is, it’s daylight now, so you’ll get aslightlybetter chance of being found… or at least leaving behind a decent set of tracks before one of the locals snatch you up and use them Fashion Nova shorts as a napkin.”
Isis froze for a split second, like she wasactuallyconsidering if she could survive in a place where the locals had paws and an appetite for attitude. But the silence didn’t last long—of course it didn’t.
She rolled her neck and kept yapping. “I know what you said, but you heard what I said! So stop trying to change the subject and act like you didn’t just call me your ex’s name while I wasgiving you the best freakin’ head of your life! And I don’t even do that!”
Isis started pacing again—barefoot, loud, and heated.
“I floss three times a day, Bryce! I don’t play about my teeth! I drink from straws and chew ice with caution! I even brush with the fancy toothpaste in the black box! So do you really think I justdo thatforanybody?!”
She jabbed a finger toward her mouth like it came with a price tag, dental insurance, and trauma coverage.
“My throat got a savings account! And you really had the nerve to sayhername while I was down there?!” She scoffed.
I just stared at her with a blank expression; not because I didn’t have a response, but because the moment didn’t deserve one.
Isis tossed her hands up, clearly overwhelmed. “Of course you’re not going to say anything regarding your precious ex! But you know what…it doesn’t even matter! Good thing we’re about to leave, huh?!”
She stormed over to the corner, ready to make a grand exit, then yanked up one of her luggage, trying to slam her little tantrum into the moment.
I rolled over and grabbed my phone off the nightstand, stillhalf-hard, fully annoyed, and in a cabin with a woman who couldn’t even keep her mouth shut while it was full.
I unlocked the screen and tapped into the weather app.
Winter storm advisory.
Great.
I sighed through my teeth as my eyes dragged over the forecast.
High: 27.
Low: 8.
Visibility: terrible.
Mood: worse.
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” I shut down calmly, causing Isis to halt mid-motion, hand still on her bag.
“W-What do you mean?”
I didn’t respond right away. Instead, I slid out of the bed and moved with the kind of patience that pisses people off.
I pulled on a pair of black boxers first, then my gray sweats. Then I grabbed a plain black T-shirt from the dresser and yanked it over my head. I didn’t bother with socks or shoes as I walked barefoot to the living room.
“Bryce!” Isis called behind me, trailing in a panic, still wearing a little crop top and boy shorts—sexy, yeah, but absolutely useless in mountain snow.
I stood at the window.
