Page 105 of Diamond in the Rough

“I’m sorry,” Jake whispered.

“Don’t be. It’s what he wanted, and I owe him. He made me see things clearly, made me realize what was really important in life.” He looked out at the sea. “And now we get to have another one, not as a you or as an I, but as an us…”

“Why Maverick?”

“Beethoven’s dog.”

Jake slumped. “Oh…”

The edge of Maddox’s lips quirked up, not in aggression but amusement, his cheeks rounded to apples and his eyes narrowed but not with fury, with glee. He looked younger, and Jake was caught gawping at his smile.

“What?” Jake blurted.

“I’m messing with you. I didn’t name you after a dog.”

Jake poked Maddox’s side, and he yelped.

“Not funny.”

“It was a bit.” Maddox snorted.

“All that money…can I really do what I want with it?”

“That’s what I said.”

“So if I want to gamble it all away, hit the casinos, the races, you’d let me.”

Maddox flexed his face and spoke through his teeth. “If that’s what you wanted to do…”

Jake pinched Maddox’s cheek. “Don’t panic, I’m not going to do that.”

“Do you have any ideas?”

“Not really. Tom’s bought that nightclub.”

“The Golden Gun,” Maddox said.

“You’ve got that highbrow bar.”

Maddox grinned. “I’m glad you think it’s highbrow, but coming from you, that doesn’t mean much…”

Jake rolled his eyes. “And Amber’s off sunning herself on beaches.”

“Drinking martinis and enjoying her six-foot-five bodybuilder boyfriend.”

Jake perked up. “Bodybuilder, did you say?”

Maddox leaned over and nipped Jake’s shoulder. “Don’t you get any ideas.”

“Actually, that reminds me of one.”

“Amber’s bodybuilding boyfriend’s given you an idea?”

“No, not him, you…when you bit me.”

Maddox tilted his head. “Explain?”

“I was thinking, maybe…buying a little café or sandwich place…in memory of Carl.”

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