Cherry Pop (Mercury Rising Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

was all kinds of weird. “Yep,” Tripp said, covering his embarrassment. “No one should comment on the clothes. They may try to steal your sunglasses, though, ’cause they are pretty awesome.”
    “Duly noted,” Ben said. “I have several pairs, so I won’t file a report if the unthinkable happens.”
    “I appreciate it,” Tripp said, fighting a smile. “Don’t want to have to bail anybody out on a holiday again. Real pain in the ass.”
    “I don’t even want to know,” Ben said.
    “Just kidding,” Tripp said. “My mom’s cousin is the sheriff, so we usually get a free pass.” Ben smiled in the direction of the boats tied up to the dock and Tripp looked over to see everyone watching them approach. “They’re a little nosy,” Tripp said.
    “Tripp,” his mama called from the boat at the end of the dock. “You get on down here on this one with me and your daddy. You and your new friend. And Luke too.”
    “Oh God,” Tripp said with a pained moan. “That’s my mother. Don’t pay any mind to anything she says. She’s crazy as a loon.”
    “Great,” Ben muttered. “I’m good with moms.” He didn’t sound as confident as the words implied.
    “My mama likes everyone,” Tripp said. “Don’t worry.” His mother climbed out of the boat and waved at them like a fool. They were only ten feet away.
    “That’s your mother ?” Ben asked incredulously. “She can’t be a day over thirty-five.”
    “Forty-two,” Tripp said with a sigh. “I thought you being gay meant you wouldn’t notice my mom.”
    He loved his mom, but he sure wished she didn’t look like Marilyn Monroe. He’d had to suffer the indignity of his friends panting after her his whole life. And her infamous on-again-off-again relationship with his dad didn’t help. Since their divorce, his dad had had two other failed marriages, and his mother had been the other woman during both.
    “How can I not notice her?” Ben asked. “We’re going in the same boat.”
    “Hi there,” she said, holding out her hand to shake Ben’s. “I’m Tripp’s mama, Loreene Lanier.”
    “Hello,” Ben said, shaking her hand. He looked a little awestruck and Tripp’s mom preened, giving him a flirtatious little grin.
    “He’s gay, Loreene,” his dad called from the boat. “Remember? That won’t work on him.”
    Her eyes went wide and she snatched her hand back. “Oh, that is too bad,” she said in sympathy. “Not many of those around here. It’s going to get lonely.”
    Ben seemed at a loss for words, but she was clearly waiting for some kind of answer. When the silence grew uncomfortable, Ben said, “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
    “Well, I’ll pray for you,” she said. “Sure is a good thing you met Tripp.” After that cryptic comment, she turned around and climbed into the boat in her short shorts, nearly falling out of her bikini top as his dad helped her up with a laugh.
    “God almighty,” Luke whispered behind them. Tripp turned and shoved him with a frown. “If she weren’t your mama, boy,” Luke said, shaking his head.
    “Wow,” Ben said. “That wasn’t awkward at all.”
    “It never is,” Luke said. Tripp had no idea what he meant by that, but it seemed to work for Ben, who climbed onto the boat after her.

Four
    B en climbed the ladder out of the water and up onto the transom of the Bayliner . It was a very nice deck boat that could seat up to twelve, and apparently it belonged to Dean. Or his family. It seemed to be sort of a mi casa, su casa situation.
    He shook his head and water flew around him. The heat of the sun on his back was a welcome relief. The Atlantic was still warm this time of year, but he hadn’t gone skiing in a while and he knew he was going to feel it tomorrow in his shoulders. The sun was like a natural heating pad on his sore muscles.
    “Move it or get dragged back in,” Tripp called from the water. Ben looked down and Tripp was holding onto the ladder rails, smiling at him. The