The drinks were flowing, and nobody was feeling much pain. Sue was obviously buzzed, in her party, flirting mood. I liked that. It almost always meant hot sex. I loved that. She was amazing.

"You ever sorry you gave up the old life?" Mark asked.

"Rarely," I told him. "You know most of the guys didn't last more than a year. I had a five year run. Only six guys stuck it out longer. More than enough for any man."

"Five years," Dale said. "Damn! So the humdrum beach life suits you now?"

"Perfectly. Sun, sand, good friends, and the best woman a man could ask for," I told him....