Page 42 of My Brother's Forbidden Friend

“When are you in town again? Believe me, you want on this boat. It has more room and I have radar.”

He smiles. “Today is our last chance to get a fishing charter in. The wives decided to meet us so…” He shrugs.

“Okay. Well, as you probably know, I have to keep your deposit.”

“Yeah, definitely. It was our fault and I’m really sorry about it.” He steps back.

“Good luck.” I climb back on my boat and stew in my wheelhouse as I watch the guy go over to her.

She smiles at him and nods a bunch, her eyes never venturing over here. This move definitely deserves payback. The fish from this trip would’ve made my entire week.

Kevin leaves the marina with one last wave. Of course, I’m cordial and friendly because I need him to come back.

Ten minutes later, Chevelle leaves on her charter.

Rowdy calls up to me from the dock. “Can I come aboard?”

“Sure, Rowdy.”

He steps on and looks at all the high-end tech equipment in the wheelhouse. He’s old school and probably thinks it’s all a waste of time.

“Man, how are you in last place when you have all this stuff?” He sits in one of the chairs. “Ah, because your clients are taking naps in these comfy seats.”

I chuckle.

“You see those wooden boats with the purple stripe around yet?”

“Just the other day. A lot of people asking about them,” I say.

“They’re sharp lookin’.”

“They are.”

“I thought there was only one, but I just saw a second one that’s a little different but has the same purple stripe. Sure enough, the same manufacturer name on the side. Five Seas.” Rowdy stares at the bay. “No one knows where they’re comin’ from.”

I shrug. “There are new boat makers all the time.”

“True. Anyway, that’s not why I came on here. You two are playin’ dirty.”

I hold up my hands. “I’m not.”

He raises his eyebrows. “You tell every man who wants to climb on Chevelle’s boat that you’re her boyfriend. I’m not saying anythin’, and I know it ain’t right, but some of those men book charters with Chevelle because, well…”

I nod so he doesn’t have to say it. I don’t really want to hear him say it anyway because it’ll just piss me off.

“But if she got your charter drunk last night, then I’d say you could definitely pay her back.”

I don’t say anything. It’s not that I haven’t considered it.

“This flirtatious thing goin’ on between you two reminds me of me and my dear Anna. She’s the same as Chevelle. All tough and don’t need no one.”

I tip back my coffee. “But I’m not sure that’s the truth.”

Rowdy shakes his head. “It’s not. That girl’s out to prove somethin’. Like she wants everyone in this town to stop feeling sorry for her. And I wish she’d just accept the fact that she lost her mama and whether you’re five or sixty-five, losing your mama is not somethin’ people get over.”

“She blames herself.”

He nods. “Don’t know anyone who wouldn’t.”

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