Free Some Like It Hot by Susan Andersen Page A

defense. “And what the hell, Jake—you’re one to talk. I haven’t exactly seen you overrun with buddies, yourself.”
    Jake grunted and shoved his shades back up. “Gotta point.” He turned away to check out Max’s place.
    Max would’ve sworn he wasn’t a jumpy kind of guy. But when Jake took his sweet time surveying the house and its surrounding land, he found himself damn near twitching by the time his brother finally turned back.
    Jake gave him an imperturbable look. “This is moderately cool.”
    “It’s hella cool,” Max corrected but then grinned. Because given the way they insulted each other on a regular basis, in Jake-speak “moderately cool” was a downright endorsement. It was pretty lame to be so thrilled by his brother’s approval, but even in his wildest, what-kinda-trouble-can-I-get-into-now days, he’d never tried to lie to himself.
    And that meant he had to acknowledge he pretty much was...well, maybe not thrilled, exactly, since that was for little kids and chicks. But pleased.
    It struck him that he no longer thought of Jake as his half sibling—the guy was finally, simply, his brother in his mind. And, yeah, he was pleased that Jake liked his place. So sue him.
    He’d stick a needle in his eye before he’d admit as much out loud—especially to Jake—but what he’d long wanted more than anything else in the world was a guy version of the white-picket-fence life. Right down to a loving wife who would put him first. Because that ...well. That was something he could only imagine.
    He’d never come first in anyone’s life.
    And he’d like kids, too, one day. He would never do what his father had—he’d sacrifice his right testicle before he’d cheat on his wife or abandon any kid of his.
    Not that his lofty principles were of immediate concern, he acknowledged wryly, seeing as he was nowhere near attaining that dream—and didn’t know if he ever would. A guy had to actually put himself out there to meet women. But he had this house. It was a first step. And, hell, maybe he’d take that second step one of these days as well, and head into Silverdale some Saturday night to spend a couple of hours at The Voodoo Lounge. He liked to dance, and it was a decent place to meet like-minded women.
    And even if he didn’t meet The One, at worst he might get laid. He sure as hell wouldn’t mind that.
    It had been a while.
    He merely shrugged now, however, and got his head back in the conversation. They’d been talking about his house, not his less-than-titillating sex life. “I’ve been working on it. The place was a train wreck when I bought it, but she’s got excellent bones and someday I think she’ll be a beauty.”
    “Yeah, I can visualize it. How much land have you got here?”
    “Four and a half acres.”
    Hands stuffed in his pockets, Jake rocked back on his heels and looked at the large yard Max had platted by removing some of the trees that surrounded it on three sides. “I like the privacy.” He shot Max a crooked smile. “We’re so gonna have to have the next barbecue here.”
    The idea of hosting anything sent a blip of panic racing through him. It wasn’t that he was against the idea—and for sure he’d been to enough dos put on by Jake and Jenny that he likely needed to reciprocate. He simply didn’t have any idea how to go about pulling together anything more complicated than putting out beer and chips. Swallowing his discomfort at the mere thought, however, he said, “Yeah. Maybe.”
    Jake snorted and shot him a fist to the shoulder, along with a knowing smile, as if he could somehow look right into his mind. But before Max could respond—or even decide how he should—his brother turned to look at the house again. “What were you doing when I got here?”
    And just like that, Max’s discomfort disappeared. He loved his place and, unlike a lot of other subjects, could always discuss it without having to dig for conversation. “This is the original stain