Maverick (The Family Simon 3)

He wanted more.

His best friend Donovan was due to have her first baby with Jack. His cousin Beau had just announced to the world that he and his new wife Billie Jo were expecting. Christ, even Tucker had found someone after the tragedy of his first marriage and Maverick wouldn’t be surprised if they were working on starting a family.

Everyone was moving on and Maverick was just…he was just standing still.

Was that it? Is that why his mojo had fled?

Jumping up from the chair, he crossed over to the window and leaned his forehead against the cool glass. The wind was picking up and snow flew everywhere. He was restless and cagey. He glanced down at the bulge between his legs and grimaced. He was also horny as hell.

His laptop chimed and he blew out a hot breath, glancing over to the table near his keyboard. It was Skype and he knew it was most likely Donovan, since he’d already chatted with his mother. He considered not answering—his mood was that foul—but with a sigh, Maverick pushed away from the window.

Fuck it, he thought, striding over and settling in front of the damn thing. It’s not like Donovan would give up anyway.

“Hey,” he said, attempting a grin when he saw her staring back at him.

“You look like shit.”

Trust Donnie to cut to the chase.

He shrugged. “It’s not like I need to shave for anyone.” Her face was rounder, her eyes as expressive as ever and Maverick felt a bit of his blackness lift. God, he missed her.

“Shaving isn’t the issue, Rick.”

“No, I guess it’s not.”

She pursed her lips. “I’m worried about you. Why don’t you come here and stay with Jack and me? I could use the distraction. Trust me, this baby is making your cousin crazy.”

He leaned his elbows on the table just as another wave of snow hit the window.

“What the hell was that?” Donovan asked with a frown. “Sounds like you’re in the middle of a storm.”

“It’s been like this for days, but it’s normal for around here.”

“And where is here, exactly?”

“I told you. I’m at Cooper’s place.”

“Yes but I don’t know where Cooper’s place is, other than somewhere cold and stormy. Is it snowing?”

“Could be.”

She stared at him intently. “Why are you two being so secretive anyway?”

“We’re not being secretive.”

“You’re full of it.”

He couldn’t argue with her on that one, so he didn’t try. “I just needed to be in a place where no one knows me. Sometimes the Simon name makes it hard to just disappear.”

“Whatever. I don’t care.”

He could tell by the tilt of her head and the way she tapped her fingers along the tabletop that she did. But Cooper’s retreat wasn’t his secret to give up. Even their mother didn’t know about the house—God love her, but the woman couldn’t keep a secret. As far as Maverick knew, the only other person who knew about Fisherman’s Landing was Donovan’s husband Jack. And that guy would go to the mat for anyone.

“Have you written anything?” she asked with a scowl.

Maverick glanced over to his Gibson Les Paul. The sunburst guitar had been silent since he’d arrived.

“Nope.”