Free The Perfect Storm (The Blake Boys Book 6) by Rhonda Laurel

screaming hasn’t abated since he and Isabelle got together. Some women I know actually think it’s sweet that he changed his wild ways to be with a classy violinist. And that Seth dropped his frivolous dating when he found Morgan, a feisty bookstore owner of all things.”
    “As wild as they may have been in their youth, they managed enough growth to find women who were beautiful, independent and real, just like my momma. I at least got the beautiful part right with Eden. One out of three ain’t bad.”
    “You married Eden when you were barely out of college. Love bloomed early for you and you acted on it.” Sam stopped walking. “And I’ve never had to get between you and a knife-wielding groupie like I did with Tate that time in Albuquerque.”
    “A knife?” He chuckled.
    “When he released that song Bewitched two years ago, he had a really interesting summer.”
    “So what about you? Do you have any past-love war stories?”
    She shrugged. “I’ve tumbled down the rabbit hole once or twice, and I have the bumps and bruises to prove it. But time eventually heals all, or at least that’s what they say.”
    J.J. grinned at her. “Don’t worry. I’ll get it out of you eventually.”
     
    * * *
     
     
    J.J. and Sam had already had a busy morning hiking at Rocky Mountain National Park. He thought it would be better to start her off slow with the Emerald Lake trail. Then they went back to the house to get ready for Jeff Miles’s reunion barbecue. Sam declined at first, but J.J. was able to convince her that she wouldn’t be uncomfortable around his friends. They were a great group of people.
    The party was in full swing when they arrived, and it felt like old times when they used to spend time together in the off season. The marital landscape had changed as well; he wasn’t the only one who had been divorced. Tony Perkins had been divorced from his wife for three years and J.J. hadn’t even known. So much for feeling the stigma of a failed marriage. When he announced to the group that he and Eden had split, there wasn’t too much love lost over her. As if on cue, when he went to the restroom in the house, one of the wives cornered him in the kitchen and asked if he was interested in dating anyone, unless of course he and Sam were dating.
    “Trish, I told you,” he said. “Sam is the security specialist for my company.”
    “Yeah, right. Keeping telling yourself that. You didn’t smile this much when you were with Eden.”
    Had he been smiling more? Maybe he was. Sam sat next to him at the table and doted on him, asking he wanted food or another long neck. She even told him to drink as much as he wanted because she’d drive home. Later that evening, his friend Max asked him to take a walk. Sam was chatting with Trish, so he agreed.
    Max slapped him on the back. “I’m so glad you could make it to this reunion. We’ve missed you.”
    “It’s good to see everyone.” J.J. smiled.
    “Listen, I know you don’t like to talk about the football days but we were all damn proud to have you as our quarterback. You were a good leader and an even better friend.”
    “ Sports Now is interested in doing a story on me and Seth,” he said.
    “That would be great. Seth emulates you when he plays, so that would be a terrific story for you guys.”
    He shook his head. “He doesn’t emulate me. He has his own natural talent.”
    “Do you watch your brother’s interviews? He mentions you all the time and credits developing a good work ethic because of you. He worships you.”
    “Seth’s just being Seth.”
    “Seth’s just being honest. You know how many people would want your talent and greatness for one minute?”
    “Let’s change the subject. I don’t want to rehash what could have been, especially on the heels of my divorce.”
    “Instead of thinking of what you lost, think of how you saw the picture when you got injured and went into business with your dad. Thanks to you, I can say I have a damn