Probably too much, but I’ll start with the one question that bothers me most.
“Okay, I feel a little dumb, but I need to ask. Does he flirt like that with everyone or just people he likes?”
Hunter’s grin turns wicked. “Like how, Rhett? Don’t beat around the bush and ask me what you really want to know.”
He relaxes on the sofa, and I know he’s going to make this difficult for me if I try to be vague, and he’s likely never gonna let it drop if I ask if Diamond likes me more than a friendlycustomer way. He might not judge me, but he sure as shit will tease me. In the end, I choose vague because I’m a chickenshit.
“Does he ever date customers?”
“Everyone is a customer at some point.” Hunter laughs when I huff in annoyance.
“Anyone ever tell you that you can be an ass?”
“All the time.” He grins even bigger. “Listen, I’ll put you out of your misery, so don’t say I’m never nice about matters of the heart.” His expression sobers. “Diamond hasn’t dated much since I’ve known him. He’s had his fun, let’s say, but nothing serious. He keeps a lot of that to himself, even though we all know he has a weakness for men in boots and buckles who can handle a horse. He loves to tease and flirt with nearly anything that walks, but that’s just the way he is. I won’t share any personal details in confidence, but I will say this…” Hunter pauses and narrows his eyes. “He’s special to our group, and if you want to be involved with him, just know if you’re a dickhead, you’ll have a lot of angry cowboys on your ass seeking revenge for him.”
Yeah, I sort of got the feeling they were like a pack of overprotective big brothers. Can’t say I’m surprised about that.
“Noted. Can I add my own to that?”
He motions for me to continue. “I thought he might be someone to make friends with since he did something for me I’ve not done in a long time. He made me feel guilty for being rude. I’ve…it’s been too frequent for me, you know? Self-preservation and all that shit. Then he accepted my apology and made me feel like I wasn’t a bad guy after all.” Hunter’s face softens, and I keep going. “Today, he made me smile, and I noticed how blue his eyes were. It’s been a long fucking time since I’ve felt like maybe I deserve to have the sun shining for me, you know? Would I want to date him? I wouldn’t mind. He’s attractive, and I’m not sure my heart will ever want to love someone again after…” Iwave my hand and take a breath. “I just wanted to know if he’s always that friendly or whatever, so if I flirt back, I don’t look like an idiot.”
If I knew I’d turn this into an emotional therapy session, I would have brought a stress ball, but there it is. I’m not looking for a quick fuck or a long-term relationship. The truth is, I don’t know what I want. I just know that Diamond sparked something I’d not felt in years, and I liked it. I came to Kissing Ridge for a fresh start, and he’s as fresh as they come.
“Perhaps I was too harsh.” Hunter sighs and sits on the sofa again, elbows resting on his knees, while he stares my way. “He’s a good one, Rhett. He’s barked at me for stepping in where my nose doesn’t belong more than once.” Hunter smiles, lost in a memory I don’t share. “I like to think you and I are friends too, though. Please don’t keep shit from me. If you need an ear, I’ve offered it since the day we met, and it’s not an empty offer. Something is clinging to you, and if you need help, I promise I will never turn you away. I might not make you feel what Diamond does, but you can unload with me.”
He’s said that before, and I know he’s sincere. I’ve held back for reasons that I can’t really explain. Because he’s my boss, I’m living in his house temporarily, or I’m afraid to let someone who clearly respects me know how I really am.
“My first husband was my best friend. We got married when we were eighteen and thought we were in love. Turns out we just care a lot about each other. He’s still a good friend and let me down gently, but fuck, I was divorced at 21. I didn’t have a great start at love.”
“Sometimes we learn the hard way.”
My lips twist into a sad smile.
“I wish I could say I learned from it.” With a sigh, I sit back and laugh. “You sure you want me to unload on you?”
Hunter couldn’t be more serious if he were at a funeral.
“I’ve been through it all, Rhett. Even Gabe will tell you I can give advice when needed. And if you don’t want advice, I can listen.”
With a nod, I decide to continue and tell him how my second serious relationship was a complete disaster. He didn’t like me being a cowboy and away so much. He had multiple affairs that it took me years to find out about. He loved spending my money, though. Even when I was stretched so thin, and we had officially broken up, I fucking gave him whatever he needed because I had a hard time not loving him anymore.
I ended up living with my grandfather when that relationship ended and helping with his restaurant, since he had no means of support outside the small family eatery. I cooked, waited tables, and did anything for him to ease his burden. All while working around attending rodeos. If he needed cash for the restaurant, that was the only way I could guarantee even a small amount of money to keep things running.
When he died, life got worse. Which is where Gabe’s legal advice came in handy.
The family who never wanted a thing to do with him while he was breaking his back at that place trying to survive swooped in like vultures. For two years, I waded through legalities and probably entered far too many rodeos to pay for shit that shouldn’t even have been an issue. But it was important to me to defend what my grandfather built.
WhatIhelped him build, and nobody else.
My ex still asked for money and, like a chump, I gave it to him because my heart still told me to. Then one day, my wake-up call came from a puppy I found in a box on the side of the road. Every day since then, I’ve actively concentrated on putting distance between my old life and starting anew.
I avoided relationships or anything that could turn into more than a one-night thing. I changed my cell number so I couldn’tgive in to my ex or have family members leave me hateful messages.
Words flow, and I share things with Hunter I’ve told no one else. When I’m done, I feel a little lighter. Naked as a mole rat, but lighter.
“Wow. And I thought I had emotional baggage. Have you talked to a professional? You’re not like…”
Hunter seems pained, and I shake my head.
