Page 27 of Flick

“I’m here too,” Gunner said.

Flick was grateful for three-way calling. Not only did he get to speak with both of his brothers, but now he had more time to consider what the friggin’ hell he was doing with Beth.

“Glad to hear from you,” Flick said.

“Did Gunner tell you he lives in fucking Christmas Town?” Brody asked.

“Christmas Town?” Flick asked.

“It’s not Christmas Town. It’s Mistletoe Canyon, and I don’t live there yet. I’m considering it, but I just don’t know,” Gunner said.

“You could always come to Bluff Creek. I’d love to have us all together,” Flick said.

Flick listened to the static while he waited on his brothers.

“Yeah, about that, I’ll be out by the Fourth of July. I’m not re-upping,” Brody said.

“That’s great. I’m on assignment in Texas, but I could pick you up at any airport. Will you come to Kansas?” Flick asked.

“Assignment? What assignment?” Gunner asked.

“Beth and I, along with some others, are trying to figure out why the MC and the bail bonds were being targeted. Everything is screaming to me that something big is happening,” Flick said.

“Okay, I want to know about you and Beth. Your voice got soft when you said her name,” Brody said.

Flick walked into the study and closed the door. If he was baring his soul to his brothers, then he didn’t want her hearing.

“Beth is twelve years younger and my best friend. Until this trip, that’s all we were, but four nights ago, she kissed me on surveillance.”

“And?” Brody asked.

“I can’t get her off my mind, but I’m so scared I’ll ruin our friendship. Your call may have saved me from making a horrible mistake,” Flick muttered.

“Why would it be a mistake?” Gunner asked.

“What if it goes wrong?” Flick asked.

Flick loved his brothers, but their heavy sighs had him wanting to hang up.

“Danny, I know losing Dad and then losing Mom had you always wondering what was next, but sometimes the only next is something wonderful,” Gunner said.

“Who are you and what have you done with our brother who didn’t believe in true love?” Brody asked.

“All I can say is it’s been eye-opening staying here in Colorado, but I want to see both of you. My contract is up here, and I don’t think I want to renew right now. Wherever you all are is where I want to be,” Gunner said.

“Danny, what do you like about Beth?” Brody asked.

This time, it was Flick sighing heavily. What did he love about Beth? What didn’t he love about Beth?

“She’s smart, hilarious, gorgeous, loves movies and TV shows, and has a heart for people and animals as big as Texas. I…,” Flick thought about what to say next. If he wasn’t going to bare his heart to his brothers, then who would he bare his heart to? “I’ve always been attracted to her, but I’m twelve years older, and when she helped me after a bad call, I thought she only wanted friendship. So I took everything I felt for her but the friendship and shoved it deep down inside, locking it away. I told myself I was satisfied with the friendship,” Flick said.

“And now?” Gunner asked.

“Fuck, now, I don’t know how I could ever kiss someone else because just that kiss with her was better than anything I’ve ever experienced before.” Flick stared at the clock ticking on the wall. What was he going to do?

“Okay, Brody, sounds like we need to head to Kansas. Well, at least you do when you get out. I can leave as early as Thursday. Should I head to Texas? Is there a place I could stay close by? I’m guessing I can’t stay with you if you’re on assignment,” Gunner said.

“You could stay at our Cider Creek Chapter. Beth and I had an overnight there to relax. We don’t sleep super well knowing that something could happen at any time.”

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