Sending me one last glare, Wick nods, seemingly relieved for the subject change. He points off into the distance. “Yeah, but there's a big swath of trees that lead down to another creek at the back of the property, great for trail riding. And if I remember, Trip, you and the Wills kid would go hiking and tent camping back there.”
Trip pulls back and removes his hat, running his hand through his hair as he reviews the property. “Shit, I completely forgot about that. This place looks so different. I forgot this is where he and I used to camp out. For some reason, things got weird between us when we got to high school, and I thought maybe he just didn't like me anymore, and then he nearly died, so…I didn't ask about it.”
This is just a guess, but based on Sparrow’s observations and the way Charlie eyeballed Trip’s wedding ring, I’d bet that the weirdness had to do with the fact that Charlie had a crush on teenage Trip.
I keep that opinion to myself. “Sounds like he can use a friend.”
Trip nods. “I was kind of thinking of having him come over for dinner. Maybe I'll invite him sooner rather than later. We could go trail riding together.”
I wonder what Charlie will think of Trip’s pretty little husband.
“Sounds like fun,” I say, hoping they can restore their friendship without future awkwardness. “I know a couple of really great trails around here, and the ranch I used to work for out at Canyon Lake wouldn't mind you riding their sunset trail. It's really beautiful.”
Trip snorts. “Yeah, unless you get attacked by bats.”
My cheeks flush with heat. His uncle-best friend Desi and I used to have a highly satisfying physical-only arrangement with each other once upon a time. The last time we got together, we quickly realized that sex wasn’t going to happen because we were both pathetic for unavailable men—me for Warwick and Dez for Wyatt.
We’d gone on a trail ride to see the sunset and forget our woes for a while when some bats spooked Desi’s horse. The horse took off, eventually throwing my dear friend to the ground.
“I felt so bad when Desi got injured.”
Trip grabs my arm. “Ah, don't worry, I was just messin’ with you. I think it made my father realize how much Desi really did mean to him, seeing him hurt like that. Not that I ever wanted Desi to be hurt, but I think something good did come of it.”
“True.”
Wick, who’s been quiet, pointedly checks the time. “Alright, mission accomplished here. Let's get back to the ranch. We’re losing daylight.”
“Yessir, Private Warwick,” I say, giving him a jaunty salute.
Wick narrows his eyes at me, and Trip bites back a laugh. I lean forward, whispering, “I’m notjusta promiscuous libertine, I assure you. I do my research.”
Trip and I hop into the front seat while my son joins Warwick in the back. I check the mirror, and he’s glaring a hole into the back of my head.
Ha.
Operation: Make Wick Fall, Day One: Success.
18
WARWICK
Iwalk up to my latest hookup’s front door, determined to lose the bad buzz of the last couple of weeks. Joaquin and Colt seem to be the perfect cuddle-and-fuck-buddies, and I guess I’m just supposed to accept it. The whole thing drives me crazy, but I’d be an asshole not to see how perfect they are for one another.
What I really need is a new threesome to erase the tragic Colt and Joaquin threesome. Okay, so it wasn’t actually tragic, but when I admit that it was mind-blowing, damn near life-changing, I just want to cry. Clearly, I need to scrape it off the old brain cells and make some new memories.
Even if those new memories don’t turn my world upside down.
Instead of using an app, I call up an old fuck buddy. He used to be super active in the scene, but now he and his husband are mostly exclusive. They do play on occasion, and I’m finding myself a little lost and needing to start with the familiar. I haven't met his husband yet, but if he could get an unrepentant whore like Roly Martinez to settle down, maybe he can help me.
Riley accused me of substituting sex for therapy, but what the hell does she know, anyway? Like a Ph.D. in psychology is hard.
Anyway, Roly’s like me—we like the bigger guys and have taken down a gorgeous bear together a time or two. I mean…there’s no way in hell I’m introducing him to Colt, especially now that I know he and his husband like to play. Still, I brave Austin traffic and find myself standing at his door, wearing my cowboy best: a sharp plaid button-down, crisp Wranglers, new boots, and my best hat.
“Warwick!” Roly exclaims, opening the door with a flourish. Damn, I’d forgotten how short he is. He gives me a big hug and pulls me down for a kiss. “Ooh, sexy cowboy! Heath and I haven't played in a while, and all of the kids and animals are out for the entire weekend. I hope you hydrated.”
A warm chuckle filters in from behind Roly and a large bear of a man with reddish hair, green eyes, and a pretty belly walks up behind him, wrapping his arms around his man.
Oh God.
