Page 43 of Stone Deep
“Britton?” Ryan called from behind.
Slade reached back and opened his car door. “You get your life puzzled out first, Britton.” He climbed inside and looked up at me before closing the door. “Trust me, Tink, it’s not fucking easy driving away from someone like you.” He shut the door and took off.
TWENTY-THREE
SLADE
Cleveland was standing on the stoop holding a six pack in each meaty hand. “Get your sunbonnet, buddy, we’re going out for a boat ride.”
“Not in the mood.” I turned around.
He followed me inside. “Come on, dude, you’ve been boring as shit for two weeks. Never thought any girl could suck the life out of Slade Stone.”
His words were especially irritating because they were true. I hadn’t talked to Britton since I’d found her sitting in a motel room with her husband, a discovery that had knocked the wind from me. I’d fallen hard for a girl who seemed to be more mirage than real. She hadn’t tried to call me since, and I wasn’t all that surprised. I always figured the attraction was more from my side than hers. Didn’t make it any easier, but at least I knew never to put my heart out there for the taking again. My brothers could be the saints. I didn’t need to tie myself to anyone.
I flopped on the couch. “Ah fuck, now you’re just going to stand there and whine, aren’t you? Whose boat?”
He hesitated, and that was all I needed. “Shit, not your clownish pal, Stewie and that rusted bathtub he parades as a fucking boat.”
“Yeah, that’s the clownandthe tub. But there’s a plus side. Remember his sister, Melonie, with the really big—” Cleveland stuck the beer cans against his chest for a visual in case I didn’t know what he was referring to. “She leaves for college next week, and one of her hot college friends is staying with her for a few days. So, there’ll be college coeds on board.” He held up his beer prop again. “Beer and college cuties and big tits. Sounds like a perfect day on the water. Besides, you have to come.”
I walked to the window. In the distance the promised storm was waiting to roll onto shore. I looked back at Cleveland. “Weather is supposed to get rough. And why do Ihaveto go along?”
He glanced around the room, avoiding eye contact. “Cuz, I promised the girls,” he muttered quickly, obviously hoping I wouldn’t really catch what he said.
“You promised them what?”
He grunted. “Look, Melonie and her friend are only coming because I told them you’d be there. Fuck. There. Humiliating as shit to have to tell you, but Stewie and me weren’t enough to get them onboard. Oh, I think Stewie has a thing for the friend, so don’t pour on the Stone charm too much.”
“You’re fucking certifiable, do you know that?” My phone rang. I picked it up off the coffee table. I didn’t recognize the number. “Hello.”
“Yes, is this Slade Stone?”
“Speaking.”
“Hello, this is Captain Trentworth from Alaska. You interviewed for a greenhorn position on my boat.”
“Yes, how are you?”
“I’m good, thanks. Just wanted to let you know I spoke with Captain Dell, your current boss, and he had great things to say about you. Said you were as tough as they came, and you never complained. I’d like you onboard for the king crab season if you’re still interested.”
“Yes, absolutely. Just let me know when and where and I’ll be there.”
“Great. I’ve got your email, so I’ll send you the paperwork and list of things you’ll need.”
“Looking forward to working for you, sir. Thanks.”
“Take care and I’ll see you in October.”
I hung up. “I got the greenhorn position. Couldn’t have come at a better time.”
“That’s fucking awesome. I’ll be heading up there for fall too so we can room together. Damn. Now you’ve got to come celebrate.”
I was stoked. After feeling completely sideswiped for the last two weeks, the captain’s timing was perfect. “You know something, Cleve, I’m in a good enough mood that I can even put up with Stewie for a few hours.”
Hunter’s motorcycle rumbled in the driveway. I could hear Amy laughing about something as they walked up to the front door. She walked in first. “Hey, Cleveland, did you get this couch mushroom up off his ass?” She glanced at the beer in his hands. “Ah, I see, you used the traditional bait as a lure. Good thinking.”
Hunter walked inside. “Where are you two off to?”
