CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“D amn, I’ve missed this.” Garrett tips his head to the sky, the sun showering him with rays.
I sip on my beer. “How long has it been since you two came aboard Shipfaced?”
“Start of summer,” Ridge grunts.
The boat rocks on a wave and I sway in the captain’s chair. “We’ve been too busy.”
“Which reminds me,” Garrett drawls. “Is your lady love occupied elsewhere? Or how did we make the cut for this outing?”
The mention of Cassidy sends a rush of heat in my veins. We parted ways last night but she won’t have the twins this weekend. Her filthy promise strokes me in a tight grip. The seductive pace is quick to get me on edge. My eyes slide shut behind my shaded lenses, giving me a moment to imagine her lowering to her knees. A groan threatens to release when she peeks up from under lowered lids. Pouty lips stretch around my cock while she sucks me to the back of her throat. Arousal pumps me and my dick twitches.
Cold droplets splash on my rigid position, knocking me from the fantasy. The gleaming surfaces on Shipfaced welcome me back to boating. Garrett and Ridge are waiting for me to answer.
Fuck, I can’t pop wood in front of my friends.
A subtle adjustment hides the evidence as I picture Billy and Gruff mounting me. I shudder. That deflates my desire real quick. “I figured it was time to get on the lake, just us guys. Like the good old days.”
“Uh-huh.” Ridge’s aviators block the glare I’m certain he’s aiming at me. “You could just admit we’re the alternates.”
My frown can’t compete with his grump face. “You’re my starting lineup.”
“More like a sure thing. You know we don’t have plans when the bar is closed.”
I shrug and scratch at the stubble collecting sweat. “For the record, Cassidy has yet to grace Shipfaced with her presence.”
“She’s got her priorities straight.” The former defenseman fights a grin.
Garrett chuckles, tipping his can to his lips. “Look who’s flinging shit. As if you’d choose us over Callie.”
“How about that,” I hoot. “Foster is the voice of reason.”
He brushes off his bare shoulders. “I’m maturing.”
“That’s one term for it,” Ridge mutters.
“What’s wrong, Crusher?” I stand and my legs wobble as the water turns choppy. “Do you need a hug? Have I been neglectful? C’mere, you big lug.”
He smacks my open arms. “Save the shmooze for your girlfriend.”
An exaggerated sigh escapes me as I reclaim my seat. “If you insist.”
“Speaking of, has Cassidy been to your house yet? Or are you still afraid she’ll think it’s a dump?” Garrett rolls his eyes as if the idea is ridiculous.
My gaze lowers to picture her reaction. “I’m ready when she is.”
“She’s gonna flip her shit.”
“Here’s hoping,” I laugh.
Ridge’s scowl cracks slightly and he lifts his Coors Light. “Cheers to finding your baby mama, Granger.”
“And minus the drama. Winning!”
“Glad to see you settled,” he adds.
“I’ll drink to that.” I tap my beer to his.
Garrett leans in, joining the toast. “And to kinky sex that never gets boring.”
“I’ll be sure to add that in my speech at your wedding.” Cool relief soothes my throat as I chug the rest of my beer.
Ridge almost smirks. “That’ll go over well with the missus.”
“Grace is worse than me. Insatiable. Just the way I like her,” Garrett chuckles.
“Well, damn. Cassidy only unleashes the freak every other weekend.” Not that I’m complaining. Those three kid-free days are real bangers.
Laughter folds Garrett in half. “Don’t act deprived. You’ll take what you can get.”
“Got that right.” I would’ve waited for marriage if she wanted to. That would’ve given me an excuse to rush her down the aisle faster.
Ridge scrubs over his face, most likely thinking about his own vixen. “Shouldn’t we be talking about fishin’ or some shit?”
“We’ll get to rigging your pole in a bit, Crusher.” Garrett blows him a kiss before his affection swerves onto me. “Is it true you bought a horse?”
“For Cassidy,” I chuckle. “To be fair, she already owned her and isn’t going to make me pay the thirty thousand.”
Ridge chokes on his sip of Coors. “The fuck?”
“Grand gesture,” I explain.
They share a knowing nod when my phone rattles on the dash. A glance at the screen has me immediately silencing the call. Almost as quickly, the buzzing begins again. My humor fades into a pile of ash. I spit a curse and send them straight to voicemail. Another attempt soon follows.
Garrett’s brows lift. “Problem?”
“I’m choosing to ignore them.” My phone skitters across the surface, disrupting our peace.
Ridge snorts. “Not sure they’re getting the message.”
Nope, but I’m getting theirs. My glare matches the one cutting across the text. Irritation brews into a cloud as I check their latest lines of bullshit.
Unknown Number: Hello, Mr. Granger. We’re still having difficulty getting ahold of you. Are you getting these texts? How about the voicemails? We’ve left several. I just need a few minutes of your time to discuss the next investment opportunity. If I’m unable to reach you, I could stop by your place of business. Roosters, right? Or I could try contacting Ms. Brooks. Perhaps she would be more willing to talk to us. If I recall, she’s the reason you approached us to begin with. Remember that, Mr. Granger. You came to us. We look forward to hearing from you. Have a wonderful day.
Fumes stream from my flared nostrils. If this is their strategy for getting a response from me, they can sit and spin. I dare them to try using Cassidy to get what they want. Fuckers have no boundaries.
Ridge is about to take a sip of beer but his can pauses midair. “Who the fuck pissed you off?”
I crack open a fresh Coors and guzzle a mouthful. “Remember when I told you about Sutherland Homes?”
Garrett scrunches his forehead. “That construction company you wanted us to invest in?”
“Be glad you didn’t.” I toss my phone to Ridge since he’s closest to me. “They’re worse than I thought.”
The former hockey pro whips off his sunglasses, menace burning in his eyes. “Who the fuck do they think they are?”
“A huge pain in my ass. Might as well be a thorn bush to the balls.”
Garrett whistles after reading the text. “Just block them.”
I bang my head on the steering wheel. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Ridge scoffs. “Your fanbase never crossed into harassment territory?”
The memories are a bit crispy on the edges. “Not that I’m aware of.”
“Consider yourself lucky,” Garrett says. “But yeah, cut off their access to you. Easy as pressing a button.”
“Huh.” I toggle over to the options and strike them out. “Done.”
Garrett stretches to slap my back. “Feel better?”
The throb at my temples pounds harder than my hips slapping into Cassidy’s ass. “Not really.”
“Dude, let it go. They can’t touch you.”
My nod flows with the waves. “You’re right. They’re grasping at dingleberries.”
Ridge crosses his arms. “And if they so much as step foot in our bar, they’ll be dealing with me.”
“Aww, thanks.” I pretend to swipe at a shed tear. “See? This is what I wanted. Brotherly love.”
His stony expression doesn’t appear convinced. “We’re still the lowest rung on the ladder.”
“Last resort.” Garrett’s dejected sigh is laughable.
“Nah, don’t be butt hurt.” I lift my beer in the air. “Bottoms are always up on Shipfaced.”