On the Rocks (Last Call #1)(18)

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I’m a healthy, sexually aware woman myself. I’ve had my share of casual relationships, which focused around an easy friendship coupled with some smokin’ hot sex. In fact, I have never once felt a strong, emotional pull toward any of the men that I’ve had relationships with since I lost my virginity my freshman year in college. I think… deep down, knowing that I’d never have Hunter Markham’s heart ruined me from having anyone else’s.

And like I said before, all of this knowledge and confusing array of emotions that Hunter has evoked in me the last few days makes me grumpy as shit. I’m seriously not liking what this man does to me. I need to harden up a bit where he’s concerned.

“Those look like some deep thoughts you have going on in that head of yours.”

Glancing over to my left, I see Brody taking a seat on Casey’s chair. It’s the most words he’s said to me since returning home.

“There’s some beer in that cooler,” I tell him, pointing to where it sits behind our chairs.

“Nah. I don’t drink,” he says, and I cringe internally… because, of course, he wouldn’t drink anymore. Not after that night.

I take a moment to really look at Brody. His face is identical to Hunter’s. Same straight nose, square jaw with a slight dimple in the middle of his chin, and full lips. His hair color is darker because he’s spent the last five years locked away, while Hunter’s has been streaked pale by the hot sun. He wears his hair much longer than Hunter does, coming down to his shoulders with the top half pulled back into a ponytail. He has a full beard compared to Hunter’s scruffy look, but he keeps it trimmed close. The biggest difference that I see though, is the lack of light in Brody’s eyes. They are dim and shaded, while Hunter’s are bright and accented by laugh lines in the corners. The men could have identical haircuts and coloring, but stand them side by side and you’d know the difference based on their eyes.

Turning toward the ocean, I see that Casey’s in the water using Brody’s board. She and Hunter are just bobbing on the water, apparently not really caring if they catch a wave. Hunter says something to her and she smacks at the water to hit him in the face, laughing at whatever he just said. Casey can surf… her brother’s made sure she knew how from when she was little, and they taught me as well. I mean, I pretty much suck, but I know the fundamentals. But right now, brother and sister are just content to sit out on the ocean and hang together.

Peeking over at Brody, I see he watches them intently and his lips are curled slightly upward. No matter what horrors Brody has suffered, it didn’t kill the love he has for his family. It’s written all over his face. I suppose that’s just not an emotion you can suppress, no matter what dark demons you have boiling inside.

“So how was the surfing? Was it like riding a bike?”

Brody turns those sad eyes to me, and I see the briefest flicker of interest in what I just asked. “Yeah… it was good. I’m really rusty, but it felt good.”

“You looked good out there,” I tell him. “Gave Hunter a run for his money.”

Then the most joyous sound erupts from Brody. He gives a short bark of laughter. “I don’t think so. Hunter was just out there playing. Letting me look good.”

I shoot him a bright grin and he responds, letting his smile widen so I see a flash of teeth. “I like seeing you laugh, Brody. It’s a good look on you. You should do it more often.”

I expect him to withdraw, because my statement is meant in jest, but it’s also a pointed reminder that we are all aware of how unhappy he is. Instead, he keeps the smile in place, even as his eyes hold a touch of wistfulness. “I’m trying, Gabby. I’m really trying.”

I reach out and touch his arm lightly with my fingertips. “You can do anything you set your mind to, Brode.”

He glances down at my hand laying against his warm skin and then reaches his other hand over to cover mine, giving it a slight pat. “Thanks, kiddo.”

Then he pulls away and leans back in Casey’s chair, closing his eyes and lifting his face to the sun. I watch him for a few more minutes, and I take joy in the peaceful look on his face right at this very moment. I think Brody will be okay.

I hope he will.





I’m not sure what in the hell happened between our day at the beach Saturday and Monday morning, but Gabby reverted back into the shrew that I had come to know and loathe over the last five years. I thought we made it past all that shit, but when I came into the bar on Monday morning, I was met with coolness from her.

I tried to make some light conversation while I sipped on a cup of coffee, watching her take measurements of the existing front bar, and she snapped my head off.

“I’m busy, Hunter,” she grouched. “If you want me to make my deadline, you need to let me work.”

Raising my eyebrows at her, I just nodded and walked away.

On Tuesday, I brought over some bottled water for her and her crew, and she didn’t even spare me a glance. And just before she was ready to leave for the day, and before I opened the doors for the evening crowd, she cornered me, demanding to know if I was going to hover over her every day.

“Gabs… I’m not hovering. I have work to do, and it just happens to be in the same building that you’re working in.”