My head swivels to find Diamond, and I turn back to Hunter quickly. “I don’t know, but yeah, we can talk after. I just have one more rider for the night.”
“I’m going to join Diamond and watch them.”
Hunter jogs up the bleachers, and I return my focus to the next rider.
“Rhett, you didn’t tell us we could bring a fan club,” one rider quips.
“It’s just one spectator. You ride for hundreds or more at rodeos that cheer for you.”
The young cowboy smirks as he settles onto his bronc. “True. But none of them watch me like he’s watching you.”
My skin tingles with awareness. “Don’t forget to point your feet and spur on exit.” Turning Wilbur around, my gaze meets Diamond’s, and I huff a low breath before turning back to watch the rider.
It’s hard to focus on the bronc. Everything blurs together and it feels like I’m caught staring through the windshield into the setting sun. Yet somehow the rider thanks me for my input and before I know it, I’m helping the contractor load up the broncs and confirming the delivery of fresh horses tomorrow.
When I finally make it to the office, I’m on edge. Like I don’t know if I want to run or collapse with exhaustion or somehow do both.
Hunter looks up from the desk as I walk in and grins in a way that sometimes annoys me. Like he knows something I don’t.
“Great job today. How do you feel about it?”
“It was long, but I liked it.” My feet hurt, and I’m tired as hell, but it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in the sport since I started. “It’ll take time to get used to, but it will be a hit. Especially once you grow and bring in more instructors.”
“I’m glad to hear that because once we work out the kinks, I have plans to grow, and I’ll need your help.” He motions for me to sit, and I gratefully sink into the sofa.
“I need to sleep for a week.” I joke, and Hunter winces.
“About that…” He sits next to me on the sofa, and I’m immediately on edge. “I’m not kicking you out. You can breathe, but something big just happened, and I want to give you the choice.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, nobody is dying or anything, but Gabe and me have been talking about kids for a while and…” He runs a hand down his face and looks upward. “I never thought I’d ever say that,” he laughs, but it’s shaky. “There’s a kid at 4H who has been struggling. He’s already in foster care, and the family he’s with is having problems dealing with him. It got to a breaking point tonight, and we’ve taken him in.”
“So you need me out of your space?”
“No. There’re lots of rooms in that old house, and you’re welcome to stay until you find a place still. I just wanted to give you a warning that it might get a little chaotic at the farm, and I’ll probably be distracted for a while. I know the timing is shit, and I’m sorry, but the kid is a mess. I understand if you’re angry at the change, but he needs us, and I want to be there for him.”
Hunter’s tone is both defensive and vulnerable. I may not know him as well as everyone else, but I know enough to understand the importance of this decision.
“Don’t be sorry one bit. He’s a kid, and if anyone can help him out, it’s you and Gabe. You have a great relationship. He’ll settle in time.” I squeeze his shoulder. “I would’ve appreciated someone like you when I was his age.”
Hunter’s eyes shine with unshed tears, and he clears his throat. “Yeah, I hope so. He’s a good kid. Loves rodeo and the 4H club and not much else. Except eating.” We both laugh before turning quiet again. “I just wanted to give you a heads up before you came home…unless you weren’t?”
Until now, I hadn’t thought I’d be going anywhere but back to my room at Hunter’s place. But things have changed in a short time. I want to be with Diamond. Am I ready to start something? I honestly don’t know.
“I have to see Tater. She’s been home all day.”
Hunter nods as if he expected me to say something like that.
“Gabe has taken care of her. Don’t worry about that. Unless that’s the excuse you want to use.”
His gaze cuts to mine, and he lifts an eyebrow. The smirk that he knows something I don’t returns. “Go with your gut, Rhett. Don’t let your past hold you back from a good man.”
That’s a better message than warning me not to break Diamond’s heart, or I’ll regret it.
“I don’t know what I want with him, and I don’t want to create any tension in the group.”
“There’s no tension except the one you seem to keep fabricating. You’re not a dickhead, and you’re not gonna use him and shit on his feelings. I know you won’t. So just try it out and see where it goes. We certainly won’t judge if it doesn’t work, and we’re still friends. Just be a fucking adult about it if it goes sideways.” He clears his throat and softens his voice. “Diamond isn’t a delicate flower, Rhett. He knows the risks, too. Have fun with each other, if nothing else.”
