He does this little smirk that wrecks me with its cuteness.
“We should probably get home. Long days for both of us tomorrow.”
“Do you want to…stay? At my place?”
His gaze sweeps over my face, and he shakes his head. “Not this time.”
I stuff back my disappointment and quickly kiss him before sitting up.
“Probably a good idea. We have early mornings.”
“Dee…” I look his way as he drops from the truck bed. “Therewillbe a next time.”
sixteen
Rhett
“Thanks so much for your help this week, Alec. It’s been great getting to know you.”
Alec shakes my hand before pulling Hunter into a hug.
“It was my pleasure. Felt good to help and to see this guy’s face again.”
The two friends hug again and share a silent gaze between them. Hunter swipes at his eyes and pushes Alec towards the exit. “Message me when you get home. Thanks again, Alec,” Hunter calls as Alec nods and waves before exiting the training facility.
Hunter puffs out a breath. “Well, another successful session, right?”
“I’d say so. Warren even got into it a little.”
Hunter beams. “Yeah, he did, didn’t he? Thanks for that. I’ve been spending a lot of time with him on the ranch. Giving him the structure and discipline that he needs, and I’m pretty sure he wants. Bringing him here, I think, was the right thing. He has an interest in roping, and I’d love it if he wanted to compete.”
Hunter rubs at his chest, and I wonder if he even knows how transparent he is about his feelings for Warren. He loves that boy fiercely, and I’m happy for him and Gabe.
Together, we lock up the building and walk out to our vehicles. “I love teaching kids about rodeo. It’s a bonus to get paid for it.”
“You might change your tune on that if I bring the 4H group by, Rhett. They are high-strung with a capital H.” We both laugh and pause at his truck. “See you at the house tonight?”
“You bet. Big weekend coming.”
He nods in agreement. “You’ll fucking kill it, Rhett.”
After Hunter drives off, I load Tater into the truck and make a quick stop at the grocery store for road snacks. I’m not driving to the next rodeo with Hunter and Levi. This one is a bronc rider event only with a huge prize pool, so I’m travelling solo. Unless you count Tater.
Tater will keep me company for the weekend, and by the time I return, I’ll have the keys to my new house. Things are moving fast, and I’m excited about getting settled.
As I’m walking into Hunter’s place, my phone pings with a message.
Diamond:Good luck this weekend. Briarwood Broncfest, right?
Rhett:Yeah. Thanks! What are you doing this weekend?
Diamond:Probably streaming Broncfest if I can.
I’m smiling at my phone, Tater clicking at my heels, and I run right into Gabe and Hunter’s foster son, Warren, in the hallway.
“Shit. I’m sorry, Warren.”
He grunts and shoves away from me, continuing towards the kitchen. “Is Hunter on his way home yet? Gabe told me to wait for him to eat, but I’m fucking starving.”
