as well. I’m in a twisted type of brotherhood with a ghost that still holds the love that I want.
Cody chimes in. Voice low, he says, “It’s been long enough.” The fact that he has a say lets me know I’m being a real wimp because I think dating gives Cody the hives.
Maverick pushes the throttle forward and we set off at a slow speed. My eyes immediately scan for any and all sailboats. “It’s so ironic. Miss bossy pants was the one forcing me back to Windsor because she knew my feelings and now she’s fucking some douche just to avoid her own feelings. Who knows—maybe he’s a fucking shark in the sack,” Mav says. Cody chokes on his beer.
I scowl at Cody. “You better clean all that shit up. I don’t want a sticky deck.”
“How do sharks fuck?” Cody asks, ignoring my orders completely. Typical. No one takes goofy Steve seriously.
“Like they’re out for blood,” Mav explains.
I punch Maverick in the arm that’s not responsible for steering. “She’s not fucking him. There’s no way she’s giving it up that easily. There’s no way. And don’t talk about it. That’s rude.”
A cacophony of very male laughter surrounds me. “Rude? We’re being rude? Coming from the prick with three girlfriends and a best friend that you’re in love with. Tell me something, man. Do you think of Morg when you fuck your girlfriends? Or is that too rude? Or is it rude because you want to be the one screwing her? Define rude, man. I need to hear this,” Maverick says, through gasping breaths of hysterics. I fold my arms across my chest to the best of my ability. My biceps like to cock block the arms folded position. Assholes. Maverick throttles and the boat breaks on wake, causing me to lose my balance. More laughter.
“I have girlfriends to pass the time,” I say looking directly at Cody. He glances away, not wanting any part of this argument. I’d win it without even trying. “I think about fucking when I’m fucking. What am I supposed to think about? It’s rude to talk about her that way because her husband is dead and he’d be the one fucking her right now if he wasn’t. That’s why it’s rude, Maverick.” I probably just crossed the line, but I’m seeing red. I’m so angry at what Maverick is making me feel that I’ll edge my toes closer to that invisible line. I take a seat so he can’t throw me again.
He shrugs, tilting his head to the side. “You’re supposed to think about how in love you are when you’re fucking the right woman,” Maverick says. “And sometimes about tits, pussy, and ass. But always how much more amazing they are because of who they belong to. It’s not rude, Steve. It’s rude to make her fuck guitar man. Alpha up, you pussy. You’ve known her longer than anyone. If anyone knows what you need to do to seal that deal, it’s you.”
“She doesn’t want me or anyone else that resembles him.”
Mav shakes his head. “She is avoiding you because of that reason. She wants it. Oh, she wants it. And that’s the angle you need play. You have the ability to fulfill everything that woman wants and needs. Let her know that. Because the dude she’s dating is a decoy to bolster her self esteem.” He’s right. Maverick just had the balls to say what I’ve never said out loud.
“Have you told her that?” I ask, morbidly curious.
“No, but Windsor has. She’ll bite, Steve. She’ll bite. You just have to cast it close enough to make it seem like an easy catch.”
“I’m already her best friend. How can I make it any easier?” He’s insane. But I’m even more curious. What exactly did Morganna tell Windsor? Why didn’t Maverick tell me sooner?
“Drop the friend part and it’s in the bag.”
I always want to be her friend first. She’s the only woman I’ve ever wanted to be friends with. “And my other…friends?” I ask, referring to my girlfriends. It sounds bad when I talk about it, but they are well versed on what’s to expect. Except when they’re not…and then infrequent Cass scenarios pop up. I interrupt before he can respond. “I broke up with Cass. It’s just Chloe, and Sasha when she’s in town. Do I go all Catholic Pope and break up with them too?”
“Get rid of Chloe? You’re fucking insane, Steve,” Cody chimes in. I shake my head. Chloe is