Page 17 of Buddy System

“Nothing to be sorry about.” Skyler fiddles with his pole, not looking at me.

“So who is she?”

Instead of answering me, Skyler jumps up and whoops, “Caught one!”

For the next couple of hours, we bring in a whole string of trout, not talking about anything other than our prowess as fishermen.

Finally, we head back to the house and clean the fish. We both agree that it’s the worst part of fishing, but it’s worth it. We get cleaned up, and Skyler grabs a bunch of ingredients that mystify me. He tells me to call Brooke.

“Dinner will be ready in about forty-five minutes,” he announces. “You have plenty of time for a shower if you want one before we eat. I’m just going to get the initial prep done and then I’ll go shower. I’ll do the last part when she gets home…er…I mean when she getshere.”

I smile and tell him, “It feels like home, Sky. I texted Brooke a little while ago already.” Then I add with a grin, “You can forget the ball cap now. Brooke told be about you smacking your head on the door when you made your hasty retreat.”

“Oh, uh…yeah. Sorry about last night. I was just out there looking for my phone, and…well…”

“No apologies are necessary. We both knew you were there.”

“You did too?”

“Yes, and if it had bothered me, I’d have either asked Brooke to stop—hah! Fat chance! Or I’d have politely asked you to head back indoors. The fact is it turned me on having you there.” He doesn’t say anything and just stares at me, so I go on, “Look, I don’t know why that is, or what it means. I’ve sure as hell never felt that way in my life before. I’ve always been fiercely protective of Brooke, but I also strangely feel possessive about you. I don’t know if it’s the hero thing, if it’s because you’re my best buddy, or it’s some new kind of feeling. I just…” I exhale deeply. “I just feelthingsabout you and Brooke. It’s not that I need her any less, but I need you too for some reason. Does that makeanysense?”

Skyler doesn’t meet my eyes for a while, but when he does, his look is penetrating. “Okay, Since you’re spilling some…stuff, I’ll give you pure honesty. Like I said, I’m not trying to interfere in your marriage. I think Brooke is gorgeous and a remarkable woman. I like everything about her and think you’re a lucky bastard to have her. I pray that the two of you never mess up what you have because you’re both special. That said, I’d take her to bed in an instant if my conscience didn’t keep me away from her. But…it does. I’m not sure I could ever get past that.”

“Even for me?” I ask.

Brooke comes waltzing into the house and stops to look at us. I’m sure we have strange expressions on our faces. She looks so pretty and puzzled, I can’t resist going to her and wrapping my arms around her. I nuzzle her neck and nibble on her ear because I know that’s always gotten her going.

“I’m glad you’re back, babe,” I whisper in her ear. “Did you have a fun time with Juni?”

“Yes, loads of fun. Did you guys have a good day?”

“We did. We caught lots of fish and talked about some interesting things.” I look sideways at Skyler who has a nervous look on his face, so I stop talking before I embarrass both of us. “I’m heading to the shower before dinner. Want to join me?”

“I think in all fairness I ought to help Skyler with dinner since the two of you caught it, and I’ve done nothing.”

Skyler grins and says, “You can set the table. Indoors or out? It’s up to you.”

“I choose outside,” she says with a grin and proceeds to set us up on the screened porch.

Chapter

Sixteen

Skyler

How amI supposed to keep it together around these two? Brooke is the sexiest woman I’ve ever known. Sheexudessex appeal even doing something as mundane as setting the table, and I don’t think she’s aware of it. Sure she takes good care of herself and dresses to show off her incredible…assets, but beyond that, she’s not particularly flirty or anything. She’s just…Brooke. Maybe I was nuts to bring them down here to Honeybee Hollow. Looking at her, hearing her voice, even smelling her is torture.

But I had no choice, I remind myself—I had to invite them. I missed Levi like crazy, and the longer it took to communicate with him, the worse I got. It was like I had an itch I couldn’t reach or…no, it was way worse than that. I’m sorry he feels so responsible for what happened on our crappy mission, but he’s not to blame. I wish I could make him believe it. Oh crap. I wish a lot of things.

I’m preparing a salad and getting the trout ready to pan sear, letting my mind get caught up in these thoughts, when Brooke breaks into my reverie.

“I haven’t properly thanked you yet for everything, Skyler. You’ve done so much for Levi by being a great friend and hauling his ass out of the house to come down here for a visit. He looks so much better than he did even just a few days ago. It’s like I can finally get through to him.”

“Maybe you two could consider staying here indefinitely. What’s there back in Hopkinsville for you?”

“Oh! Well, a few friends, I guess, but I’m not all that close to anyone really. I feel like I have more in common with Juni after a couple of days, actually,” she says with a smile. “I’ll talk to Levi about it. It’s sure a beautiful place. And the company is wonderful.” She gives me a dazzling smile.

I have to duck my head to hide my blush. “I saw that you brought Levi’s guitar. Does he sing too?” I’m curious about this side of Levi that I know nothing about.

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