Sugar and Ice - RJ Scott Page 0,14

was an empty pit when it came to grapes. I tossed a cover over the crate, gathered up my wallet and keys, and left my home. The desert night was just settling in as I jogged down the stairs to my garage. My condo was one of many new-build townhouses in the Swan Lake Condominium Community located about fifteen minutes outside of Tucson. There were over two hundred units in my gated community, all the same shape and colors—tan and white—and all with two-car garages, small backyards, and central air/heating. There was also a community pool, a homeowners association, and a neighborhood watch. Not that I spent much time swimming or watching the neighborhood. I was either playing hockey during the season or back home in Russia when the season ended. Still, it was a nice home, it was quiet, and no one looked at me in an odd way for being a grumpy Russian who seemed to frighten small children. I jumped into my car, put the roof down, and backed the Audi A7 up.

The ride out to the mountains where Henry and Apollo lived was a lovely one, the sky was purple and pink, the wind was dry and warm, and Taylor was belting out ‘Shake it Off’ as I pulled up to the Lockhart estate. It was now known as the Desert Lights Halfway House or would be when the renovations were completed in a few months. The sounds of music and laughter rolled around from the back of the mansion, so I followed the noise of a party until I reached the in-ground pool. The big house was cordoned off, signs of construction everywhere, but the pool house where Henry and Apollo lived was wide open.

The pool area was packed with players and their dates/wives/groupies. Colorado was playing croquet while riding on Ryker’s back. Oh, perhaps it was polo. Yes, it was polo but with croquet mallets and a rainbow beach ball. How that was working was anyone’s guess. Henry was toting Apollo around on his back, and Alex had his boyfriend Sebastian on his bare back. Chuckling at the nonsense, I made my way to the bar outside the brightly lit pool house. Apollo’s aunt Sofia was playing barkeep while flirting with one of Colorado’s groupies. Our goalie never went anywhere without young men and women in scanty clothes falling all over him. Rock musicians had to have an entourage, or so Penn constantly told us.

Others stood around in small groups, looking at phones, and chatting quietly. I didn’t want to know what had caught their attention unless it was a bird video.

“Good evening, Captain!” Sofia said as she gifted me with a smile. “Let me guess, two fingers of vodka with a twist of lemon?”

“Orange twist please,” I gave her a wink.

She was a stunning woman, full of life and love. Apollo was lucky to have her in his life. Family was so important. I missed mine terribly. She poured me a drink, then returned to flirting with the groupie. I turned around in time to see Ryker and Colorado tumble into the pool to thunderous applause. An emu wearing a bowler hat ran by with a pulled pork sandwich in its beak. Two girls with big breasts and tiny swimsuits chased the bird, who was named Kricker the Flightless Lord of Ozone. It was Colorado’s pet, or so rumor had it, and it travelled around with him like a dog.

I caught movement out of the corner of my eye, and realized Tate was standing there in the shadows. He looked like his world had ended but when he spotted me looking at him the raw pain was replaced by a smile. Shoulders back, he approached me, then stood way too close for my comfort.

“Was that an emu?”

I’d been working hard to keep a safe professional distance from the man until I could strangle the attraction I felt for him. With his bare arm brushing mine and the scent of his citrus shampoo blowing into my face, I realized that I’d not choked that desire long enough, for it was now pulling in full, hot breaths.

I glanced his way, and then took a second look. He didn’t seem like the happy smiling guy that was all we’d seen so far. There was a sadness in his gaze, a wariness, and I think a big helping of awkward temper.

Was that even a thing? Focus on the Emu question.

“Yes, his name is Kricker. He’s Colorado’s, as