Page 45 of South of The Skyway

“Ahh, the Brex-a-nator.”

If I’d had a liquid in my mouth, it would've been airborne. I brought him up to speed on my girl, the woman who’d pulled me into a complete infatuation in ten seconds or less. Broderick let out a low whistle.

“Well, well, well, Florida has its perks.”

“Indeed it does,” I agreed.

“What are you gonna do, man?”

“What do you mean? Obviously forget about her.”

“Cold, bro.”

I laughed. “Jesus, Broderick. I’m gonna convince her to let me chase her down and never let go.” Ever. For any reason. She sunk her claws so deep into my flesh there was no going back.

“I’m not sure which I’d prefer.”

“Not ready to share?”

He chuckled. “Obviously not. I can’t picture you settling down. You’re so…you.”

“Yeah, well,mewants to plant some roots.” My phone beeped, another call coming in, and I lifted it to glance at the screen. Brexley was calling me. “Ho-ly shit,” I breathed.

“What? You get struck by lightning?”

“Yeah, ‘cause that would be the response.”

His laugh warmed my chest, as if we were home joking around together. “Hey, I saw you sever a chunk of your finger, strap some tape on it and call it a day.”

“Nah, Brex is calling.”

“Hell, saythat. Talk soon.” He amputated the call before I could respond.

Sucking down a steadying breath, I said, “Hey, beautiful. Miss me already?”

“What would you say if I did?”

My cheeks ached, and it took me a second to realize my grin had stretched them wide. I leaned forward, planting my feet more firmly in the sand and eyeing the impending storm, its dark promise draining the color from the surrounding beach.

“I’d say I miss you, too. Then I’d tell you I have the perfect spot to watch this storm roll through, with a bottle of brandy and a fireplace.”

“Sounds idyllic.”

“I mean, as picture-perfect as an RV can be.”

Her laughter glittered in the air as I stood, dusting the granules from my cargo shorts. “Surprisingly, unopposed to that.”

“But?” I clarified, heading back for the parking lot as the warm sand slid beneath my bare feet. Thunder growled ominously in the distance.

“I like you, Rhyett. But I’m still not sure the distance is workable.”

“I’ll be in the city three days a week. Won’t even make you drive where pelicans fly.”

“I’m not…a relationship kind of girl, Rhy.”

Rhy. I about crumpled, my steps faltering at the sound of the affectionate moniker on her perfect pink lips. “Come see me.”

“You can’t change that. Are you okay with that?”

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