The Summer He Came Home (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake 1)

“No problem. He’s a great kid.”

Cain turned, and for a few seconds Maggie stared after him, at the long, lean lines of his body. Heat curled inside her belly, and she dragged her eyes away, mad that the man was able to get under her skin so easily.

Maggie slid into the chaise beside Raine and opened her book, though the words blended into a mishmash of letters.

“So, what’s going on between you two?”

“Sorry?” She turned to Raine.

“Cain? Something’s going on between you two.”

Maggie frowned. “I barely know the man, and from what little I can see, he’s not exactly the kind of guy I’d ever consider dating.” At Raine’s sly grin, she said, “Not that I’m considering it or anything.” Raine snorted, and Maggie’s frown deepened. “With anyone, for that matter.”

“Well, that’s too bad.” Raine flipped through her magazine. “You would be good for him, especially after his nasty divorce.”

A few moments of silence stretched out long and thin, and even though she knew she should keep her mouth shut, Maggie couldn’t seem to help herself.

“So what’s the story with that?” she asked carefully, her eyes trained onto the book she held, though honestly, the words were a blur. “His divorce.”

Raine settled into her lounger, wiggling a bit until she got comfortable. “He married Natasha Simmons. I’m sure you’ve heard of her; she’s an actress from LA.”

Natasha Simmons. That was a name she did know. An image of a tall, leggy blonde flashed in her mind. Bond girl?

“Really.” She tried to sound disinterested but in fact was anything but. “So what happened?” she asked casually.

Raine sighed and closed her magazine. “I’m not sure. Cain’s never really said, but you can bet it wasn’t easy or clean.” She grinned. “At least not according to some of the tabloid things I’ve read.”

Something twisted inside Maggie. Natasha Simmons. The total opposite of everything that Maggie was. Not that she was interested or anything.

She looked over to where the boys were gathered. Lauren Black had arrived, and Cain stood beside his mother, his arm loose around her shoulder. It was obvious the two of them shared a special relationship, and he seemed so down to earth. It was hard for her to picture him with someone like the starlet he’d married.

“I’ve known them my whole life.” Raine murmured. “The Bad Boys of Crystal Lake.”

At Maggie’s arched brow, Rain smiled. “That’s what everyone called them after they were arrested.”

“Arrested…for what?” Maggie sat straighter, more than a little interested in Raine’s answer.

“That’s a story for another day. Trust me, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” She smiled sadly. “They’ve always been more than friends, you know…more like brothers. It’s good…” Her voice faltered, and a shuddering breath fell from her lips. “It’s good they’re together again.”

Save for one, Maggie thought. God, life sucked sometimes.

Maggie settled back, the book forgotten as she watched Cain and her son. Michael chatted animatedly, his arms in the air, his whole body talking, telling a story as he held on to his fishing rod as if it was the most amazing thing in the world.

He looked up at Cain like he was some kind of god, and her chest tightened. Michael was getting much too attached to a man who’d come into their life by accident. That wasn’t a good thing. Cain would leave for LA—his career pretty much demanded it—and that was probably for the best.

Cain glanced her way and smiled, his

gaze lingering for so long his mother turned her way. Startled, Maggie lowered her eyes and shoved her sunglasses up onto her nose.

It would be better if he left sooner rather than later.

And not just for Michael’s sake.

Chapter 8

Tuesday morning in Crystal Lake found the sun shining bright, and even though it was just past nine it the morning, the thermometer was creeping into the midseventies. Flowers were in bloom and the lake glistened as if precious gems floated on its surface.

Cain drove along Crystal Lake Road and headed toward town. His windows were down, and the fresh air, heavy with the scent of late spring, lifted his spirits as he navigated the two-mile stretch.