“Hello, cowboy.”
They grasped hands at the moment a line dance started playing, and Shea tugged him as Craig and Johnny urged the rest of the table to join in the dancing.
“C’mon and dance. Last chance to let loose before you gotta go home and face the real world.”
Was he mistaken about the clouds in Jake’s eyes? Was it simply the lousy lighting inside the Round Up?
Jake seemed hesitant. “I have no idea what to do. I’m going to look stupid.”
Shea gave his hand a squeeze. “Darlin’, I’ve already seen you passed-out drunk and rescued you from drowning. It’d be hard to top that.”
“Idiot.” But Jake stood, and together they joined the rest of the group, where Shea, along with Craig and Johnny, taught them all the steps. Soon the wooden floors were banging, and everyone was whooping and laughing. Shea grabbed Jake, who let down his guard enough to hold on to his shoulders, and feeling reckless, Shea swooped in to give Jake a brief kiss.
Jake’s eyes sparkled. “That was nice.” His eyes widened. “Uh, do you owe someone money? Because a guy is heading this way, and he looks like he wants to beat one or both of us up.”
Keeping a hand on Jake, Shea glanced over his shoulder, and his heart sank. Toby, with the look of an enraged bull, was storming across the bar. “I know him. Someone who doesn’t understand the word ‘no.’ I’ll take care of it.”
Toby planted himself in front of Shea. “What’s going on?”
The time had come. “Looks like I’m dancing. Toby, this is Jake Axelrod. He’s at the ranch.”
Toby’s gaze flickered briefly to Jake, who, being the intelligent man he was, remained silent, merely nodding his head at the introduction. Toby ignored him.
“You’re bringing your new boyfriends to throw in my face? After everything I helped you with?”
“Toby, c’mon. Simmer down. We’ve had this talk plenty. We haven’t been together.”
Toby’s eyes narrowed. “We were together enough the other night for you to kiss me.”
Shea’s heart sank when at those words, Jake stepped away from him and returned to the table to sit with his friends. None too gently, he took Toby by the elbow and led him to the end of the bar.
“What’re you doin’?” He scowled at Toby, who smiled at him. “I told you we were finished. Why can’t you leave me alone?”
“Because you used me.”
“Toby, I told you right from the start I wasn’t lookin’ for a boyfriend. I never lied to you.”
“You never pushed me away neither. Like the other night—”
“I was drunk off my ass. If anythin’, you took advantage of me.” Shea smacked his hand on the bar, and Dusty set the box he was carrying to the kitchen on top of the bar next to him.
“Okay, now, both of you quiet yourselves. Shea, you know my feelings.”
“Of course I do. You’re his brother. I expect you to stand up for Toby.”
“Not quite,” Dusty said, surprising Shea. “Toby, you know Shea never promised you nothin’. He’s an honorable man. Confused, but honorable.”
“I think there’s a compliment in there somewhere,” Shea grumbled, then tipped his head toward Toby. “I apologize for not makin’ myself clearer, but it’s over between us.” Toby pouted, and though he looked cute, Shea wasn’t falling for it. His brief time with Jake had woken him up to how good being with someone you truly connected with could be. “I’m really done, Toby. Don’t be coming over to me, tryin’ to start trouble by insinuatin’ things that aren’t true. I don’t ever intend to get drunk enough for a repeat of what happened, and you shouldn’t take advantage of me neither.”
“But—”
“Toby, quit it,” Dusty cut him off. “Shea’s letting you down easy and bein’ a gentleman. Don’t act the fool. Walk away with your dignity and find yourself someone who wants you. ’Cause it ain’t never gonna be Shea.”
Toby hung his head. “I’m sorry.”
“We’re still friends. That’s never gonna change. I’ll never forget you bein’ there for me when I needed you.” He hugged Toby. “Be good to yourself.”
Toby raised his gaze from the floor and held his head high. “I will. I don’t wanna be second best.” He gestured toward the table of ranch guests. “Are you two together?”
