Gordon, Solara - Jet Lag Blues (Siren Publishing PolyAmour) Read Online Free PDF

off as the bathroom door opened.
    “Hey guys, where’s the food?” Val called out.
    Darryl stepped past Mason, gripping his shoulder. “Let’s eat and kick back. We can talk more after we’ve eaten.”
    Mason nodded and moved toward the kitchenette. Darryl caught his brief smile as Val greeted him. Maybe he needed to hear it from both of them. They’d all been through changes in the last few months.
    Mason’s promotion moved him to longer flights. Val’s temporary duty status flexed her hours, sometimes daily. His own schedule was a whacked splits off or split shifts. None of them had much free time coordinating with the others. He could understand Mason’s view. The last time he’d been this sullen, Mason had been in love.
    Mason was in love—full out in love with—Val? Or another woman and he felt guilty about it? Why? Loving Val and another woman didn’t subtract from love for each other. Except if Val was his focus, what had him so wrought up?
    Darryl spun toward Mason. He stumbled. His lips moved though nothing came out. Val caught his arm, righting him.
    “A bit of wine already?” She winked at him and moved toward Mason.
    “Let me help. That way we eat quicker,” she offered, reaching for the bread.

Chapter Seven

    Mason stood and stretched. The remnants of their picnic dinner sat along the edges of the blanketed space. He smiled as Val’s hand flew to her mouth trying to cover another yawn. Turning, he clicked off the TV. Darryl’s soft chuckle drew Mason’s attention. “What’s so funny?”
    “Val’s challenge that she’ll outlast us on staying awake. Two movies down and she’s yawning already.” Darryl nudged her.
    “Hey, it’s not my fault. Two glasses of wine and a full stomach...what do you expect?”
    Darryl rose and hovered over her. “How about we cut cards to see who cleans up?”
    Mason sat on the edge of the bed. “Be great if we had a deck. Why not put our names on slips of paper, mix ’em up, and draw for who does what?”
    Val nudged Darryl’s leg as he groaned. “What’s a matter, big boy?”
    “I usually get stuck with the dishes.”
    Mason laughed. “Well, let’s agree on three things, and the last one chosen gets to decide who they help.”
    “Besides,” Val added, “how long is it gonna take to wash a few plates and forks?”
    “Okay, okay.” Darryl threw up his hands. “I say the three things are dishes, trash, and what we do next.”
    “Agreed,” Val and Mason replied in unison.

    * * * *

    Darryl pondered Mason and Val’s interaction. He’d known Mason long enough to know the signs. And this time he had it bad. The last time was with his ex-fiancée Betsy. Who’d captured his attention this time? How deep was his heart in it? He hoped Mason wasn’t feeling guilty about caring for two women, Val and his other interest.

    * * * *

    Twenty minutes later, Val handed Darryl the last plate. “Can’t you dry any faster?”
    “Keep it up, woman, and you’ll get yours.” Darryl stacked the plate atop the others sitting on the counter.
    “Oh?” Val grinned and turned. She took two steps and glanced over her shoulder.
    “You crusin’ for a towel swat?” Darryl drew the hand towel tight between his hands.
    “Have to catch me first.” She picked up her pace and moved toward Mason. “You gonna let him get away with it?”
    Mason’s lopsided grin told her she was in trouble. A quick glance toward Darryl showed he had closed the space between them.
    Mason in front of her. Darryl behind her. Crap! If she didn’t do something quick…
    Out of the corner of her eye, she spied her back-up. Mason had left the pillows on the foot of the bed as cleaned up. Grabbing the closest one, she spun toward Darryl.
    “Pillow fight!” Val yelled and smacked the towel between his hands.
    “Help, Mason,” Darryl yelped as Val came back around.
    “She’s lethal with that thing. I ain’t getting near it.”

    * * * *

    Two quick thwacks sounded as Val and Darryl