Chapter 26
CHAPTER 26
PRESENT DAY
Brody
I’m sitting in my office where I’m supposed to be reviewing the latest schematics on a new jet we’re launching. I was lucky enough to get hired on at one of the largest airplane manufacturers in the world almost immediately after receiving my master’s degree. Commercial, military, and corporate jets are our specialty, but you’ll find me in the freighter department. With the increasing demand from online retailers with lightning-fast delivery windows, the forecast for cargo fleet demand has skyrocketed. I’d like to think my irresistible charm and brains got me the job so fast after graduation, but it’s more of a supply-and-demand thing. I’m one of the lower men on the totem pole around here, but I’m doing what I’ve always dreamed of for a living, so I can’t complain.
Instead of reviewing the specs for the new cargo handling system, I find myself scrolling through my spank bank, filled with fantasies of my favorite ginger. I groan as I adjust myself through my slacks. I can’t believe after all these years, that woman still makes me hard as a rock with a simple thought.
You’re probably thinking it’s the thrill of the chase, but I’d beg to differ. You’d have to be actually chasing for that to happen, and I haven’t done that in years. Yes, I hit on her regularly, but I’m never really serious about it—I do it because she makes it so much fun. If you had to put a name to my current position, I suppose you could say I’m biding my time. I’ve never been known for my patience, but it’s different with Rainey.
After she found out about Dr. Dickface’s duplicity last year, she’s closed herself off from the possibility of forming another relationship. I know that won’t last forever, but I also know she needs to come to that conclusion on her own. In the meantime, I just go with the flow—I work, I play, and yes, I still date. Unlike Rainey, I’m not closing myself off to being serious with someone—as my mother likes to remind me, I’m not getting any younger—but no other woman has been able to hold my interest like she has. Trust me, I’ve tried finding one who does.
My cell phone rings, interrupting my musings. I smile when I see my buddy Riley’s name on the caller ID.
I press the answer button. “Well, this is a nice surprise, Sugartits.”
He laughs. “Hey, man. How are things on the West Coast?”
“Oh, you know, brother, living the dream. How are the southern belles treating you?”
I haven’t seen Riley since grad school, but we talk fairly often. As much as adulting will allow anyway. He’s actually one of my closest friends, right up there with Drew. After graduation, Riley moved to Savannah to design private jets while I opted to come back home to Seattle and work in commercial.
He ignores my question and gets straight to the point. “I need a favor, dude.”
“What’s up?”
“I’m moving to Seattle.”
This causes me to sit up straight in my chair. “Yeah? You’re coming over to the dark side of commercial aviation, huh?”
He laughs. “Something like that. I didn’t want to say anything until I knew for sure, but I just accepted a position with the business jet department.”
“Ah, blending private aircraft luxury with commercial.”
“Exactly.”
“So, what’s the favor?”
“I’ll need a place to stay,” he replies. “They want me to start next week so I’ve been scrambling to get everything together. They’re putting me up in corporate housing until I can find something more permanent, but the apartment won’t be ready until a few days after my arrival.”
“Look out, women of Seattle. Riley-fucking-McIntyre is coming to town.”
“I’d hate to break this to you, but you’re going to have to find a new wingman. I’m over the whole pointless dating scene.”
“What does that even mean?”
He sighs. “I’m done pretending she doesn’t exist, man.”
“The M.P.?” I ask.
I’m pretty sure he’s nodding right now because it takes him a few beats before he actually answers me with words.
“Yeah, the M.P.”
Well, shit.
I used to think the magic pussy was an urban legend— no pussy is so good you can’t forget it—but nowadays, I’m willing to admit that it might have some merit. I haven’t even had the pleasure of tunneling through Rainey’s love channel, yet she infiltrates my thoughts on a regular basis. If I’m this bad now, I’ll probably be a fucking psycho once we actually do the deed.
Yeah, that was intentionally assumptive. We all know it’s only a matter of time before she caves.
“Have you talked to her?” I ask.
Riley banged his best friend one night during his undergrad years, completely obliterating the friendship line that stood between them. He claims she ruined him for all other women, but he was an idiot and lost all contact with her. I watched him date one hot blonde after another trying to get over the clichéd one that got away . I tried convincing him to call her once, but he was a stubborn ass—swearing it was for the best. At the time, I was too concerned with finding my own pussy to push any further. Rye was a fantastic fucking wingman, and I benefited greatly from that.
Don’t judge me; I was a twenty-two-year-old college student. You’re allowed to be stupidly obsessed with getting laid. It’s, like, a rule or something.
“No,” he replies. “I figured I’d settle in first, so she knows I’m serious about sticking around before I reach out to her.”
“Well, mi casa es su casa , buddy. Just give me a call when you get to town.”
“Thanks, Brody. I owe you.”
I smile when I end the call. Drew, Riley, and I in the same town is going to be way too much fun.