Blood Cruise: A Deep Sea Thriller Read Online Free

several times, but nothing that came to mind would have been something he wanted to pass his lips. Not if there was a chance his daughters could overhear.
    “Right. Sure,” Ben said finally and set the suitcases down in the exact spot Bobbi had indicated. “Well, nice talking with you, Bobs.”
    “I hear you have a weekend with Nick planned,” Bobbi said, her voice light and airy.
    Ben knew that her tone was a complete sham and he waited for the other shoe to drop. When it didn’t, he sighed then asked, “How did you hear that?”
    “Nick told me,” Bobbi said. “We still have dinner regularly, you know. He isn’t just your friend, Ben. I have known him almost as long as you.”
    “Well aware of that, Bobs,” Ben said. “Also aware that he was the first man you screwed after our divorce. Taken me a little bit to get over that.”
    “We screwed before the divorce,” Bobbi said. Light and airy and deadly. “After the separation, of course.”
    “Of course,” Ben said. “Listen, as much fun as this is, I better go. Gotta pick up Maggie then head out. As much as you want to ruin the olive branch Nick is extending, it’s not going to happen. Screwed my wife or ex-wife, doesn’t matter. You’ve known Nick since high school, but I’ve known him since we were born. Literally.”
    “Yes, you two were side by side in that sterile hospital,” Bobbi said. “It’s unfortunate he was able to shake off that bad beginning and find a spiritual side and you weren’t.”
    “Yeah, you just keep believing that, Bobs,” Ben said. “Nice seeing you. Have fun with the girls. I’m sure I’ll hear all about it from Tanni’s texts.”
    “Oh, I don’t think so,” Bobbi said. “This will be an electronics-free time with my daughters. I do not trust those devices. They allow microwaves into my space which disrupts the positive energy I have fought so hard to restore.”
    “Awesome,” Ben said, giving her a thumbs up. “But be sure Tanni has her phone on her if she goes out, okay? The world isn’t like when you and I grew up, Bobs.”
    “No, it is not,” Bobbi said in a way that implied it was somehow Ben’s fault the world had changed.
    He shook his head, waved, and walked back to the minivan.
    He was at least six blocks away before he started yelling and pounding the steering wheel. It was another six blocks before he calmed down enough to pick up the phone and call Maggie.
    “Hey,” he said when she picked up. “Children have been delivered to the Earth Mother and I’m on my way to get you. Ready?”
    “Ready,” Maggie responded over the phone.
    There was a bleeping sound and Ben pulled his phone from his ear. He stared at the screen until a car horn pulled his attention back to the road.
    “Hold on,” Ben said to Maggie as he pulled the minivan over to the side of the road.
    He read the text again and frowned then typed in, “Will do.”
    “Have you talked with Nick today?” Ben asked as he put the phone back to his ear.
    “Talked to Nick?” Maggie responded.
    “That’s what I just said,” Ben laughed. “He just texted me and wanted to make sure I told you to pack extra toiletries, just in case. He forgot to tell you when you talked.”
    Maggie paused. It wasn’t long, but long enough for Ben to worry.
    “Yeah, he called me to see what your mood was,” Maggie responded. “It was weird, but sweet, in a Nick way.”
    “Yeah, very weird. Why do we need extra clothes? I didn’t pack extra clothes,” Ben said. “I’m going to call him right now.”
    “No, don’t do that,” Maggie said. “Then he won’t trust me anymore. You’ve told me all about your history, Benjamin. It’s best he thinks he has me in his confidence that way we can compare notes later.”
    “Good call,” Ben said. “I should have you start writing for my blog.”
    “I know zilch about poker and want to keep it that way,” Maggie said. “Teaching is good enough for me. Speaking of, I want to enjoy this long