Page 3 of Clear Blue Sky

Each time she showed up, it became harder to ignore the grip she had on his heart.

“She’s nice and when she comes to visit, I like hanging out with her, but I can take her or leave her,” Nelson said. However, that wasn’t true and no one else turned his head. Not that he was looking. Women complicated life and at his age, that was the last thing he needed.

They hadn’t defined what they were, so they both could see whomever they wanted, and he was fine if she had someone down in New York City. Nelson hadn’t been looking for commitment.

As crass as it sounded, he thought all he wanted was a warm body and kind soul to spend a little time with when it tickled his fancy.

That’s what he kept telling himself over the last few months as she slowly came back into his life.

He couldn’t live with that lie anymore, but he wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted either.

“Then why are you so miserable when she’s not here?” Maverick asked.

“That’s a stretch.”

“It’s the truth.” Maverick stepped up onto the deck of Blue Moon. “And you deserve a little happiness in your life, so why not make it real?”

Nelson laughed. “I can rattle off a dozen reasons. The first one is we live four hours apart, but the most important one is neither one of us wants anything other than a good time.” He handed his mug to one of the waitstaff as they passed by. “Now, I’m going to do my best to avoid Larry, Moe, Curly, and Dumbass by going up to the office. If anyone needs me, send them up there.”

“You mean if a sexy redhead with wavy shoulder-length hair asks.”

Nelson didn’t bother with even a sarcastic remark. He waved his hand over his head and strolled toward the kitchen and the staircase that led upstairs. He pushed open the office door where he planned on remaining until Tyler, Marcus, Chuck, and Josh left.

He sat behind the big desk and pulled out his cell.

Nelson:Hey. Saw you walk in with Delaney. If you have time after your meeting, text me. I’m up in the office.

Bubbles appeared.

Brandi:Does it have a lock?

God, he wished.

Nelson:Nope.

He and his brothers generally hung out together either at the restaurant, at one of their homes, or went camping, though never all three of them. Right now, at least one needed to be at Blue Moon. Occasionally, they hung out with some of the locals. They’d become friends with some of the troopers. Blue Moon hosted a few of their parties and they went out of their way to donate to the local office and the Lake George Patrol.

Brandi:Too bad.

Nelson:We still on for tonight?

Brandi:I have another meeting with a potential new author right after this one, and then dinner with my brother and his family. The earliest I can get away is eight.

Nelson:Eight it is.

A tap at the door startled him and he glanced up.

“Sorry to bother you, boss, but four men are asking to see you,” one of his waitstaff said.

“Send Maverick.” Nelson rubbed the back of his neck. If Marcus wanted a confrontation, he wasn’t going to get it. Not today.

“They requested you.”

Shit. “All right. I’ll be right down.” He quickly shot off a text to Maverick, letting him know he was being summoned. It would be rude as the owner to ignore the guests. It didn’t matter who they were or the history involved.

And as Marcus liked to remind Nelson every time they crossed paths, Nelson owed him his life.

It wasn’t an untrue statement.

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