Neither man was wearing a shirt. They were also behind that kitchen bar, which meant I couldn't see anything lower. For all I knew, they'd been about to do a little more than cuddle, and my dumb ass was right where I really didn't belong.
"Sorry," I said, heading over to the couch so I could get my boots on. "Carry on. Just pretend like I'm not here."
"But you are," Tanner said.
I made a noise which proved I knew that. "And my point is, it wouldn't be the first time I've seen you two going at it. If I have my way, it won't be the last - simply because you deserve to do it."
And I shoved my foot into a dirty sock. Yeah, not my favorite feeling, but thankfully I didn't have far to go. My boots camenext, and I dropped my shirt down beside me, trying to decide if I should just bare-chest it down to my room or wear that shit.
"You're still wearing your riding shit from yesterday?" J.D. asked.
I huffed out a laugh. "Um, yeah. See, I'd planned on going back to my own room."
"So you fucked her," Tanner said, and there was something in his voice that made my heart pause.
I looked over to J.D., then back. "Uh, I was under the impression that was how your relationship worked?"
"It is," J.D. assured me.
I gestured toward Tanner. "He doesn't sound like he agrees."
"He," Tanner said, clearly meaning himself, "doesn't like the idea of being replaced, tends to think you big strong bull riders are more impressive, and has to remindhimselfthat he was fucking someone else last night too."
"See?" J.D. said. "Ain't that hard, babe. Besides, she had fun, and she'll prolly tell you all about it later, since I know you think he's cute and all."
Nope, I was not touching that. I also wasn't going to blush or stammer about it. Right now, pretending like I hadn't heard it was the safest thing I could think of.
"And I just interrupted your cute and cuddly morning," I said. "Guys, I'm really feeling like the interloper here, and I'm sorry. Look, if I read that wrong..."
"Which part?" Tanner asked.
I tamped my second boot on, then stood. "The part where I came home with her. The part where I thought it was ok. The bit where I made you jump away from your boyfriend like you'd been burned. The bit where I was kinda hoping I wouldn't get my ass beat..." I pointed at J.D. "...because the last person he got pissed off at ended up with something like thirteen stitches."
"And he still didn't learn shit," J.D. said as he crossed the room - proving he was wearing nothing but his underwear. "Catch." And he snagged something from the table and tossed it over.
My hands closed on soft cotton. My eyes saw black and pink. Confused, I uncrumpled the fabric to see one of Cody's branded shirts. My eyes narrowed, and I looked back to J.D.
"Ok?"
"I hadn't put it on yet, and that'll get you home," J.D. said. "Will also remind you that you survived. Not us, but her."
"And your hat's with the rest," Tanner said, pointing to the table against the wall meant for keys and shit.
There, the pattern was obvious. Black, straw, black, and then my grey. From the sizes, I knew Cody's was the one beside mine, and something about the sight made my mouth want to smile. The crazy bullfighter giving me bad vibes prevented it from happening.
"Tanner..." I tried, pausing to pull on the shirt. "Look, I can only guess you're wearing as much as him. I know I'm in the way, but there's one thing you need to know." I shoved the tail of this shirt down into the waistband of my jeans and secured the buckle. "If you tell me to get, I'm gone. If you tell me to fuck off, I'll forget she exists."
"Why?" Tanner asked.
"Because you could make sure I don't get out of the arena," I said. "We both know it. One second's a real long time, and ten could cost me my life. I also wouldn't like it so much the other way around. Hell, I thought..." I shook my head, deciding I needed some damned coffee before I started running my mouth. Might keep me from sticking my whole leg in it.
"Naw, finish that," J.D. demanded.
"I thought I'd have problems with the idea of her having two boyfriends already, ok? I figured that was too much for me."
"What changed your mind?" Tanner asked. "And the answer had better not be tequila."
"She was completely sober," I promised. "I was legal to drive."
