Semi-Tough Luck

Sylvia

Tonight, I lost my home, most of my possessions, and my livelihood when my semi rig was stolen from a truck stop parking lot in Middle-of-Nowhere, Nebraska. Yeah, everything’s insured, but that still leaves me with nowhere to sleep, one change of clothing, no way to get home, and only the paltry credit line on my Visa to cover my expenses until the insurance company settles.

So it’s not like I can easily refuse when the local sheriff suggests that I hitch a ride with his younger brother, Ivan Carlson, who’s headed to San Diego to play pro hockey. There’s no reason to think Ivan will be anything but a perfect gentleman. Which is a shame, because he’s sex on skates, but it would be wrong for me to take advantage of him. Wouldn’t it?

Ivan

When I met Sylvia Figueres, she was having the worst day of her life. The last thing a woman in her shoes needs is some stranger hitting on her. But man, I want to. Then my brother points out that she needs a ride to the west coast and I just happen to be going that way. I can’t say no, and since my big brother, the goddamn sheriff, is trusting me to behave like the gentleman I’m not, I’m going to have to keep my feelings to myself. And drive fast.

Or that’s the plan, until we wind up having to share a motel room.

Whoops?