Free Seal It With A Kiss (McClellan Trilogy) by Judy Hagemann Page A

really don’t want that bro.”
    “Who the hell’s bright idea was it anyway?” Luke asked.
    “Does it matter?” Brock responded.
    “Hell yes!” Luke responded. “If she did, it’s one thing, but if it was you bro—well, you need your ass kicked.”
    “I think our poker game is over. Everybody out!” Brock shouted as he pushed away from the table.
    “Damn it Brock—this is just getting good!” Pete complained.
    “Brock’s right—the game is over, you and Joe can leave.” Sam suggested.
    “Everybody out meant everybody out—including you and Luke.”
    “We need to stick around and knock some sense into you bro.” Sam challenged.
    “No, you both need to butt out. It’s none of your business.”
    Laughing “That’s where you are wrong bud—you were the one who brought it up which means that you made it our business. Now let’s talk this over before you take that leap and can’t turn back from it.” Luke said.
    “I’m done talking about it.”
    “Liar—we know you too well. You brought it up because you’re having second thoughts about this new arrangement and you need someone to confirm that it’s a good decision.” Sam stated.
    “That’s not true at all. This isn’t between the three of us—it’s between Holly and me. We are both consenting adults and that is what we agreed to.”
    “We are telling you that you need to seriously think this through. Hell, if all you wanted was the sex, you should have kept your badge in your pocket at the Double Deuce and taken—what was her name? Oh yeah—Bridget. You should have taken Bridget up on her offer.”
    “Go to hell!”
    “Hit a nerve did I?” Sam asked.
    “Sam is right—Brock, you really need to re-consider this arrangement. It’s not too late.” Luke offered.
    “Are you two done? If so, there is the door—if not, I’m out of here.” Brock stated.
    “Fine, we’ll leave, but you are making a huge mistake. We only want what is best for you—this isn’t it.” Sam said waving his arms.
    Brock grabbed a bottle of beer out of the refrigerator and plopped down in his favorite recliner picking up the TV remote as he started flipping through the channels. Was he making a mistake? Friends with benefits sounded so appealing five days ago. Did he want to pursue a relationship with Holly? The answer was a resounding yes, but that wasn’t an option with Holly. She had been adamant that she wasn’t ready for another relationship. What the hell did he just get himself into? All of a sudden, friends with benefits didn’t sound so appealing anymore.

CHAPTER NINE
    Holly arrived at work on Monday morning bright and early and apprehensive as to how the dynamic would be between herself and Brock. It didn’t take long to find out as he entered the office in a really foul mood. “Cavanaugh.”
    “Detective McClellan.”
    “What did you come up with on Friday—you never called me.” He stated.
    “I’m sorry, I thought...”
    “That’s your problem Cavanaugh, you think and you don’t act.”
    “What the hell crawled up your ass?” She snarled back at him.
    Staring at the whiteboard he asked again. “What did you come up with?”
    Holly grabbed the files and walked out the door slamming it. “Figure it out yourself asshole.”
    Brock closed his eyes and just stood there. “Fuck!” When he did open his eyes, he picked up the dry erase marker and threw it across the room. Next he picked up the eraser and was about to throw it too when Brooke said, “What did the marker and eraser do to you?”
    Brock spun around to find that Luke, Sam and Brooke were standing in the doorway of his office. “What the hell do you all want?” He yelled.
    “I for one, wanted to meet this Holly that has you all tied up in knots.” Sam said.
    “She ain’t here.”
    “That is pretty obvious.” Luke stated.
    “Are you okay?” Brooke asked.
    “I’m just dandy. Is there something I can help you all with? I am pretty busy here.”
    Laughing,