“I’m tired, Sammy.”
“I bet you are. You didn’t sign up for this shit. You need to get back to work, yourself, let someone else take their turn with Jason.”
Andy puffed like a banty rooster, getting all up in his face. “No, sir. Ain’t no one else taking any kind of turn with Mini. You got that?”
“Oh.” He blinked. Oh. Oh, man. That. Wow. And also, ew, because Jason was like a baby and not-Beau, but whatever. “Oh! Oh, right. Sure. Andy. It’s like that. I get it.”
“Well, you ought to. You been doing it with Beau for years and years.” Andy’s jaw stuck out. “You know Coke and Dillon are…were. Like that?”
“Well, yeah.” The clown was straight-up queer. No question. “Dillon’s been chasing Pharris’ ass for a long time.” And a fine, talented ass it was, too. Damn.
“Yeah, well, if Dillon is going to cheat on him, he needs to do better.”
“Dillon didn’t cheat, man. There’s no way. Dillon was hurt, bad.”
“Well, all I know was Coke was up in at the big show with a broke neck and Dillon was still in Dallas with that David feller.” Andy shrugged. “I guess you know him better than me.”
Sam nodded. “I do. It was like a fucking TV show, but not funny.” He threw Andy a bone. “There was a shitload of buckle bunnies asking for you at the event.”
“Me? Hell, I’m still hurting.” Andy needed more beating. If he hadn’t been holding a beer, Sam would have done it.
“You been doing rehab?”
“Some. I’m supposed to, anyway.” Ducking his head, Andy looked away. Liar.
“Man, you’re a young fucker and you got to get on tour and shit with Jason.” He grinned. “Man, it’s cool to say it and not have it said to you.”
“I bet.” That got him a grin in return, Andy finally seeming to relax a bit. “I’m sorry, man. We were waiting for Coke to come and help, and it’s hard.”
“Well, we’re here for a bit.” Even though he fucking wanted to go home. “We’ll pick up the slack in your rope.”
“Thanks.” Andy met his eyes, and he could see the sincerity there. “Thanks, man.”
“You’re more than welcome.” He kicked some hay around. “So, there’s folks that’re better at the public shit than me, so I’ll help with the riding.”
“Sure. You’re damned good at that. We’re gonna need help when he’s in the ring, too. Hollering, letting him know what to do.
“Yeah. Coke and Nattie and Dillon are going to be the best there, but he’ll need help in the chutes.” He chewed his bottom lip, thinking. “You starting him on the baby rodeos?”
Andy bobbed his head. “The little stuff, yeah.”
“So y’all need to find a baby bullfighter, huh? Someone that works for either the Edmons or Gruene and Mackey.” He roped with a few guys that did the Gruene show…
“I guess so. I just figured we’d leave that to Gramps, but with him being down…”
“Well, shit. I’m the one riding the little shows more than anyone else. Me and AJ.”
“Yeah.” Looked like Andy was having a duh moment. “Well, we wasn’t gonna call you, were we?”
“Nope. Asshole.” He couldn’t help but grin.
“I am. I’m sure sorry, Sammy. I know we haven’t spoke much.” Andy’s ears went red-red, and he hung his head.
“Nope, but Beau and Jason, they’re friends. Beau can help him.” And, hell, Sammy knew more about being the other half of a champion bullrider than anyone else on earth, he reckoned. He could help Andy with that.
“They are.” Andy finally stood up, shoulders straight across, and held out his hand. “I appreciate you comin’, Sam. I do. Thank you.”
“You’re more than welcome, man. Hell, this is gonna be something new, huh?”
