The Naked Fisherman (Fisherman 1)

“I don’t need a chaperone. Really. I have navigation on my phone. It’s not snowing up there, is it?”

“Unlikely. But you’ll encounter some steep grades. And people drive crazy fast on some of those winding roads because they’re used to them. You’re not used to them. Rory would kill me if I let you go alone.”

“I’ll let her know it was my decision.”

“Your decision to get eaten by a bear or bitten by a rattlesnake. Great. Just what I need.”

“What do you mean bears and rattlesnakes?”

“I mean the mammal that’s brown or black and has sharp teeth and even sharper claws. And snakes are reptiles—”

“Fisher! I get it. I know what bears and snakes are. I just wasn’t aware that they were a concern for a day trip to the mountains.”

“Chill.” He held up his hands in surrender. “I was only looking out for you. The problem with new adults, such as yourself, is that you abandon all common sense in the name of independence. You’ve been all grown up for two seconds. You’ve been here for less than two seconds. It’s okay to ask for help or allow someone to go places with you when there’s a chance you could get into a bad situation.”

Widening my stance, I crossed my arms over my chest. “Are you going to spend the day lecturing me? Are you going to complain if I don’t wear the right shoes or go without socks? Are you going to—”

“Fuck it, woman. No.” He shook his head and sauntered into the garage. “I’m not going with you. It’s my day off, and I shouldn’t have to subject myself to your attitude. I regret mentioning any of it. Go conquer the world. I’m out of fucks to give.”

I flinched with every “fuck,” thankful he didn’t see me because it would have confirmed his earlier accusations. Without another word, I escaped to the basement. He’d planted the seed, making me doubt my ability or even my sanity for going into the mountains alone. If I didn’t go, it would’ve looked like I’d succumbed to his fear tactics. If I did go and anything bad happened, he would have to tell Rory, making me look like the stubborn, immature, fake adult he pegged me for.

“Gah! Stupid naked fisherman!” I ripped off my dress and pulled on a pair of shorts and a fitted red T-shirt. Then I found a pair of socks to wear with my tennis shoes.

Sunscreen.

Bug spray.

Water bottle.

Energy bar.

Cell phone.

What more could a girl need? I wasn’t staying for a week, roughing it in the wilderness.

As I slung my backpack over my shoulder, my phone rang.

Rory.

“Hey.” I headed out the door and closed and locked it behind me.

“Hey, sweetie. I just called Fisher to check in. He mentioned you taking a trip into the mountains today. It’s not a good idea to go by yourself, given the fact you’ve never driven in the mountains.”

“Thanks for your concern, but I’ll be fine.” I gazed out at the mountains. They didn’t look so tough from where I stood.

“I’d feel better if Fisher went with you.”

“Well, that makes one of us.”

“Do you have a problem with Fisher?”

I closed my eyes and blew out a breath. “No. No problems with Fisher. It’s just that he’s my boss now, and maybe I don’t want to be under his watchful eye on the weekend too. And really, do you think he wants to deal with me on his day off? No. I don’t think so.”

“He said he’d love to take you today.”

Liar.

“He did, did he? Well, that’s not what he said to me.”

“Oh? What did he say to you?”

I couldn’t tell her. It involved using the F-word twice, and I wasn’t comfortable with saying it outside of my head.

“He basically said he didn’t want to go because it’s his day off. His day off from me.”

“Wait until I get home. We’ll go together.”

“You want me to wait half the summer to go up into the mountains? That’s not fair.”

“Reese …”

“I’ve got this. Really.”

“I’m going to call Fisher back.”

“No! I mean … just let it go. Stop treating me like a child who needs a chaperone. I don’t need someone watching me anymore. I didn’t come here to have you or your friend watch me. I came here to be with you. Now you’re gone, so I’m on my own. And that’s fine. I get it. But don’t think that Fisher is your replacement.”

After a long pause, she cleared her throat. “Okay. You’re right. Just … be careful and text me when you get home, so I know you made it back safely.”

“Fine.” I huffed while ending the call.

College was starting to sound better and better, even if I had no clue what I would study if I got there. At least my life would have felt like mine. Mine to succeed. Mine to fail.