“Yes, Vivian the gentle dentist. You told me about her. How are Corbett and Wyatt?”
“Corbett is planning a brunch for the families to mingle. You’re invited.”
Bo chuckled. “Am I really invited or did you force him to invite me?”
“Let’s call it a tie. It would be nice for you to see our family. It’s been ages since you’ve attended a family function.”
“I get what you’re saying, but I think I’ll sit this one out. Corbett and I have to come to terms in our own time.” Bo glanced at his cell phone when it vibrated. There was a new text from his father. He was on snack duty for the game on Sunday.
“I just wish you and Corbett could get close like you and Wyatt. He talks about you all the time.”
“Really?” Bo stammered.
“Yes. I think it’s nice that he looks up to you.”
“Well, Wyatt will always be the baby; there’s no challenging his position. When I come around, Corbett is pushed from the oldest to the middle child. That has to suck. But I’ll keep trying.”
“Thank you for extending the olive branch.”
“You’re welcome, Mom.”
“So”—she coughed—“how’s your daddy? Still wasting his time with loose women?”
“You know Bodine Jamison doesn’t believe in wasting time. He would say that it was a waste of time.” He laughed.
“Tell him I said hey.”
“Will do.” Did they know they both still had feelings for each other? He felt like he was in the middle of junior high kids passing love notes. It was corny and sweet at the same time.
“So how’s your love life going? You figure out which twin you’re in love with?”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Mom, that’s ridiculous.” If only it were, he’d feel a lot better.
“Then why are you spending all your free time with them? You’ve lived across the hall from them too long not to know, in your heart, which one has stolen your heart. You have a chance to do something about before it gets even weirder.”
The intercom suddenly buzzed on his phone. Saved by the bell. It was Anna Beth. Maybe Anthony, the director of acquisitions, had arrived early for their meeting.
“Mom, I have to go.”
“Funny you always have to hang up when I ask about your love life.”
“No, I don’t.” He scratched his beard. “And it’s complicated. I feel like I’ve been lied to.”
“You ever stop and think she had a really good reason for the twin deception? Not so long ago, you weren’t exactly putting yourself out there. You were in a cocoon until one day you stepped out and decided to take a chance and find love.”
“Mom, I really have to go. I’ll call you tonight. Promise,” he said quickly. He hung up the phone before she could protest and hit the blinking button. “What’s up Anna Beth?”
“There’s someone here to see you.”
“Send him back.”
“I think he may need an escort.”
“OK.” Bo furrowed his eyebrows. Why would Anthony need to be shown the way to his office?
He could hear Anna Beth’s bubbly voice through the thick oak doors. She sounded like she was giving a tour. She knocked on the door twice then entered followed by none other than his younger brother Wyatt.
“Wyatt, what are you doing here?”
“It’s good to see you too.” Wyatt gave him a quizzical look.
“Of course.” Bo looked at Anna Beth. “Thanks for escorting him to my office. When Anthony arrives, tell him to give me a few minutes.”
She nodded. “Sure thing.”
“It was very nice meeting you Anna Beth. You brightened my day.” Wyatt grinned.
“Oh, stop it.” Anna Beth was all smiles when she closed the door.
“She’s pretty. I wouldn’t mind working with her every day.” Wyatt waggled his eyes.
“She’s off limits.” Bo folded his arms over his chest. Wyatt’s libido never shut down.
“You two never?”
“No!” Bo blurted out.
“So what’s the problem if I—”
“Listen you little horn ball, Anna Beth’s like a sister to me so by default she’s your sister too.”
“Our family just keeps getting bigger.” Wyatt smirked. “Awesome office. You can keep up with six broadcasts at the same time?”
“It all seeps into my mind. Half the time I don’t realize they’re on.” Bo picked up the remote and lowered the volume on the televisions. “I just talked to Mom. She didn’t mention you were in Texas.”
“She doesn’t know. I felt like getting out of Albuquerque for a bit.”
“Is everything OK?”
“Yeah. I was curious about where you worked, so I thought I’d come for a visit. I hope you don’t mind?” Wyatt replied.
“No. It’s good to see you.” Bo relaxed and smiled.
“Hey, Bubba, I’m leaving for the rest of the day unless you think I need to sit in—” The office door swung open. It was J.J. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had company.”
Bo took a deep breath. “J.J., this is my brother Wyatt.”
“Nice to finally meet you, Wyatt.”
Wyatt beamed. “Same here, Mr. Blake. I’m a big fan of your football career.”
“Call me J.J. Despite the fancy décor, we’re very down to earth around here.”
“I can handle the meeting with Anthony,” Bo said. “Jack’s doctor’s appointment is today, right?”
“Yes, so we’ll be stopping for ice cream on the way home. One lip quiver and Sam gives him whatever he wants.” J.J. laughed.
“Wyatt, I’m afraid I can’t cancel this meeting. Would you mind hanging out until I’m done?”
“Sure. I can grab some lunch or something until you’re ready to go.”
“Why don’t I take Wyatt to the ranch?” J.J. suggested. “I’ll deliver him into the good hands of my mama. You were coming to poker night, right?”
It was poker night! How could he have forgotten? “Wyatt, do you mind?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I’d love to visit the ranch.”
* * *
Bo hoped Wyatt was having a good time. When J.J. sent him a text that his mama was at the nursery getting more flowers to plant, Bo Senior offered to show Wyatt around, and it was a shock to his system. He was tempted to leave work early just to see that for himself. Bo Senior wasn’t exactly the tour guide type. He thought it had something to do with making sure Bonnie’s boy had a good time.
He finished up with meeting in record time so he clocked out early and headed out to the ranch. The guys were all at J.J.’s house waiting for Bo to start the poker game. Channing dealt him in as soon as he sat down. Wyatt seemed to be enjoying himself hanging out with his favorite quarterback, Seth. He had a goofy look on his face while eating potato chips and chatting with Seth by the bar. Bo wondered if Wyatt had told Seth that he had one of his jerseys hanging in his closet at home. Bo did a casual glance at his phone, tempted to call Summer, but he changed his mind.
“All right, boys, here’s my game schedule.” Seth handed him a piece of paper. “Pencil in the dates you want.”
“What’s that for?” Wyatt asked.
“We try to get to Seth’s away games to show support. So we pick dates. Sometimes we can all make it, sometimes we can’t. We do the same with my racing schedule and Tate and Isabelle’s performances.” Tyler took a swig of his beer.
“Tate is wrapping up in the recording studio. He said to deal him in next hand.” J.J. bounced his son on his knee. “Jack, can you tell your Uncle Tyler to stop fooling around so we get this game started?”
“Game start, boys!” Jack yelled out.
Sam came into the room and picked him up. “But the game is over for you, little boy. We have a date with a bath and a new bedtime book.”
“Jack, let me rub your head for good luck.” Channing gave his nephew a good head scrub.
“Lay it on me, Jack.” Bo bent forward so Jack could rub his head. Jack gave him a kiss on his cheek when he was done.
“Who needs a fancy two-hundred dollar haircut? Jack just improved your hairstyle,” J.J. quipped.
Bo laughed. “I’m not married; I can’t get my wife to cut my hair.”
“It was just the one time.” Sam grinned. “Come on, kiddo, let’s see if we can keep the rubber ducks in the tub tonight. And say goodnight to our guest, Wyatt. What am I saying, he’s not a guest, he’s Uncle Bubba’s brother so he’s family.”
“It was nice meeting you, Jack.” Wyatt waved at him.
“Good-night,” Jack said, then buried his face in his mother’s shoulder.
“So why do you call him Bubba?” Wyatt asked.
Everyone burst out laughing. It was J.J. who regained his composure long enough to speak.
“Grandpa Blake had nicknames for all of us. He started calling your brother Bubba because he reminded him of an old navy buddy of his, Bubba McPherson, who saved his life. Bubba was kind of nerdy, wore glasses, and always had a book in his hand. The guys on the ship used to kid him all the time about being such a straight arrow until the day Book Smart Bubba saved their lives by disarming a bomb. Grandpa said Bo was like Bubba. Quiet and unassuming, but when your life was on the line, he was the one you wanted saving your ass.” J.J. raised his beer bottle. “He’s been saving all of our collective asses for as long as I can remember.”
“To Bubba.” The rest of the Blake men raised their drinks in salute.
* * *
A half hour later Tate joined them. They were having fun and recalled stories of their childhood in an active effort to embarrass him. The boys didn’t show the newcomer any mercy, and after a while it was like he was one of the gang. Wyatt relented after five hands, stating he’d have to dip into his college fund to keep playing. Channing tapped out of the game and chatted with him a while. Bo was touched at the effort everyone was making to help Wyatt feel comfortable. Perhaps being in the thick of things would debunk some of his assumptions about his life at the ranch. The boys made comments about the twins living across the hall and that perked up Wyatt’s ears. He’d have to make introductions when they got home.
Sam came back after Jack was asleep to tell Bo she’d vetted and rejected yet another potential date for his mom. Later, Bo turned around to comment to Wyatt, but he was gone. Bo excused himself, went out to the car, and drove around the ranch looking for his little brother. He couldn’t have gotten too far and the ranch was safe, so why was he worried? He was an adult and there was no crime in getting some fresh air. He turned off the main road in the direction of the stables. Wyatt leaned against a fence, watching the horses graze.
Bo hopped out of the car. “Hey, I’ve been looking for you. What are you doing out here?”
“I was just taking a break from the party.”
He laughed. “Too animated for you? The Blakes can get a little rowdy.”
“No, they’re great people. It’s almost surreal being around them. The house is filled with rich sports stars and country western singers and they still seem so down-to-earth.”
“That’s not an act; it’s just the way we were raised. It’s the simple things in life that give us the most pleasure. Spending time with the people you love and respect. Enjoying everyday moments like eating barbecue and trash-talking each other.”
“I guess that’s why you never came around so much. You didn’t really get any of that with us. Just competition with Corbett and me asking you a million questions.” He sighed.
“Corbett and I get along just fine,” Bo said.
Wyatt burst out laughing.
Bo laughed too. “You don’t always have perfect relationships. I accept that he and I don’t get along, that’s why, well…we’ve been getting along so well lately.”
“Mom wants to see more of the three of us together and says the animosity needs to stop.”
Bo winced. “I’ll ask her to ease up on the hard sell, but she has a point.”
“No wonder you hated visiting in the summer. You may not have missed having brothers, hell you had five. But I missed out on having a big brother. I’m not discounting Corbett—I love him, but he was always trying his best to be perfect and popular all the time. You had this great life with friends and your gruff cowboy daddy.”
Bo shrugged. “I felt like I didn’t fit in. My family was ripped apart, and Mom had a new life with a new man and children. There really wasn’t any room for me.”
“I remember.” Wyatt nodded. “I cringe at some of my behavior. Think you can ever forgive me for being a brat?”
“Why would I need to forgive you? We’re brothers; its water under the bridge.” Bo patted him on the shoulder. “We weren’t in each other lives nearly enough growing up, but I’d like to change that. I know we can’t undo the past, but we can shape the future. What do you say?”
“I’d like that. And who knows, maybe one day Corbett will come around.”
Bo raised an eyebrow. “Which also means I get to be nosy and ask questions about college and your plans for the future. Meddling is part of the big-brother gig.”
“Just what I need.” Wyatt bit back a smile.
“So, how was the tour with my dad?”
“It was fun. He’s not nearly as crotchety as Mom describes him, but he still looks like he stepped out of an old western movie.”
“I suppose he does.” Bo scratched his beard.
* * *
Bo and Wyatt returned home to the condo in the early evening. They ran into the Waverly sisters in the lobby, who were headed out for dinner. Bo introduced them to his baby brother, who didn’t hide his enthusiasm for meeting two beautiful women. He reigned in Wyatt’s overzealous greeting with a deadly look that his brother quickly obeyed. The twins asked if they would join them, but Bo thought it was best that he get Wyatt settled in and call their mom to let her know he was in Texas.
He searched the twins’ faces, and what do you know, a subtle flash of disappointment appeared on Summer’s face. She seemed to know having a midnight rendezvous would be hard if he had a houseguest. But she recovered well, and he was proud that he caught her reaction.
He gave Wyatt a tour and made up a guest bedroom for him. The day had taught him that they were more alike than he ever would have thought. It was kind of cool to have a little brother. The conversation at the ranch replayed in his head as he got ready for bed. Wyatt had made a good point, that he’d always had brothers in the Blake men. He loved each and every one of them and felt good that he’d had such good friends his entire life. The Blakes never chided him because he was kind of nerdy. They accepted who he was and protected him. He was the rational one of the group, as Tate pointed out. The one who could come up with a solution or offer good advice.
He was just starting to wonder if Summer would be making an appearance tonight when he heard the light knock on the door. Had Wyatt not been here, it would have been a great time to confront her and tell her he knew the truth. Bo let her in, but stopped her from advancing to the bedroom.
Bo sighed. “We need to talk, and I’d like to do it when my brother’s not here.”
She took his hand and continued the trek into the bedroom. Bo pulled back the covers and they slid in together. She nestled close to him and put her head on his chest. Bo put his arm around her waist and gave her a good squeeze. He wanted to be sure his instincts were right, so he casually ran his hand up her stomach and felt the faint raised scarring of the birthmark. It was Summer. It had always been Summer. They lay there for a while silently, in an intimate cocoon that that was so comfortable they began to drift off to sleep.
The soft sounds of her sleeping put him in a trance. He wanted to stay awake, but the feel of her in his arms was too enticing. Bo drifted off to sleep with a million questions in his mind, but right now he was satisfied that he had the answer to the biggest one.
Hours later he felt the covers moving as she
sneaked out of bed. He lay still for a moment to see if she’d try to wake him this time, but when she didn’t, he jumped out of bed and followed her.
“Hey, wait a minute.” He couldn’t let her leave like this. He needed to get something off his chest.
She turned to him, but didn’t speak.
“Before you go, I have something to tell you. I don’t know about you, but this bizarre relationship we’re having is driving me crazy. I can’t concentrate on work because I’m so wound up, waiting for the night like I’m a damn vampire. Because that’s when I have the most fun. The sex has been phenomenal, but there’s more to it. I need more.”
She stepped up to him and ran her hand over his cheek.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life, but you’re more than that. You’re smart and pretty and have a great sense of humor. Believe it or not, I haven’t laughed so much in my entire life since I met you. It’s been fun and exciting, partly because I’m falling in—”
She placed her hands on his shoulders and kissed him. It was a tender kiss at first, and it felt a hell of a lot like rejection, but then she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened it, conveying the passion that had been brewing between them for months. He lifted her off her feet and held her in a tight embrace. When they finally separated, he felt like they’d just had a three-hour conversation.
She caressed his face, then without a word, turned to go. He watched as she opened the door to her apartment. She smiled and waved to him before she closed it.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Bo started his workday at the office by asking Channing for a favor. He decided he was going to have the ever-important chat tonight with Summer, but he needed to do it with Wyatt out of the condo. Channing happily offered to invite Wyatt to dinner with him and Cassidy so Bo could have some time to set his scene. Once that was settled, he got back to work and focused on the upcoming business trip with J.J. He was so engrossed in going over the details of their trip that he jolted when the office phone rang. It was Anna Beth calling to say one of the Waverly sisters was there to visit him.
Executive Desires (The Blake Boys Book 10) Page 8