Should I quit a summer job I just started for a "once in a lifetime" road trip that feels like a cash grab?
I’m in a major bind. I have two choices for my summer, and I can’t tell if I’m being a "good friend" or a "total sucker."
My Situation:
I just started a 3-month summer job. I love the boss, the team is great, and I planned to be there the whole season. It’s good money and close to my girlfriend.
My "Opportunity":
At 2:16 AM, a guy I’ve known for a long time met with me and mentioned a 1.5-week road trip through Montana, Vegas, and the National Parks. He said, It would be awesome for you to come, but I know it’s not very realistic.
Why I’m Suspicious:
I’ve known this guy forever, which is why it feels so "sus" that he’s only asking me now. If this is a dream trip, why am I a last-minute addition? It feels like he had a budget issue when planning the trip by himself, and now he needs me to split the gas and campsites.
The Massive Downside:
If I go, I have to quit the country club job (burning a bridge with a boss I respect). For the rest of the summer, my only other work option is around 2 hours away from where I live and I wouldn’t see my girlfriend as much.
The Conflict:
Is 10 days in Montana worth ruining my reputation with a good boss and or is my "long-time friend" just using me to subsidize his vacation?
TL;DR: Long-time friend gave me a 2 AM last-minute invite to a road trip. To go, I’d have to quit a 3-month job I like and commit to a 2 hour commute back to my home every week Is the "trip of a lifetime" worth the fallout?