“Yeah, I heard talk. He had a no-score, but I didn’t know he was hurt. That makes sense. The man is a beast of a rider. For a no score, something had to go terribly wrong. Is he okay?”
“He’s exhausted and still asleep. His hand should get looked at. I think it’s already infected. Does he…is there anything he’s supposed to be doing at the training facility today?”
“No. Tomorrow, a few bull riders are scheduled to show up, and he’s supposed to get the keys to his house, I think. I’ll call Griff and see what his work schedule is. Jamieson is already on board for his teaching time. Leave it with me, Dee. Let him know to take it easy, and we’ll get it sorted.”
“See, that’s why I love you, Hunter. You’re only tough on the outside. Such a softie.”
He huffs a laugh. “Yeah, well, keep that to yourself. I have a reputation to keep.” He clears his throat. “Can I ask if you’re okay? Did he come to you?”
“I offered, and he showed up, and I’m…I’m hopeful, Hunter. I like him. You know that.”
“I do, and I’m trying hard not to stick my nose in, but I care about you. I don’t like it when you’re hurting.”
“Softie,” I whisper as I swipe at my eyes. “I know the stakes, and if it goes wrong…”
“You’ll come to me and Gabe. Always. But I have a feeling when that man gets his head out of his ass, things will change.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Gabe says I’m right more than I’m wrong these days, if that helps.”
We both laugh, and even though he can’t see me, I smile. “It does. Thanks, Hunter.”
“Love you, Diamond.”
Hunter doesn’t voice his feelings with me often. He prefers hugs and gestures of kindness. Hearing him say he loves me is always special and a gift I’ll never tire of.
“Love you too, Mr. Handsome. Now get to work.”
After ending the call, I check on Rhett, who has now turned onto his side and clutches one of my pillows to his body.
I set a glass of water and more pain pills on the bedside table. After silencing his phone, I send a text to it telling him where I am.
Upstairs, Tater peers out the front window, and I rummage in her dog bag for the leash. She bounces over once she sees it.
“Let’s go for a walk, girl. I need to clear my head.”
eighteen
Rhett
There’s only one throbbing body part I ever want to wake up to, and it’s not my hand that currently feels like it’s on fire.
The room is dark and smells of Diamond—sugar and coffee, along with something unique to him. Flowery, like the roses from his shop. But the man himself isn’t in bed with me.
Rolling over, I reach for my phone to check the time. Lord, it’s after 9 A.M., but the two text notifications on my phone have me easing back on the bed. The first one is from Hunter telling me not to worry and to take the next few days to recover.
The second one is from Diamond.
“Hey, cowboy. I’m out walking Tater. I left you more pain killers and water if you need it. I’m waiting to hear from my doctor’s office to get your hand checked out. Text me when you’re awake, and I’ll come back so we can have breakfast together.”
He ends it with a heart and smiley face emoji that I probably read too much into. But I swallow the pills and lie back before texting him that I’m awake. After a visit to the bathroom, I noticehe’s also left my duffle bag with clean clothes on the chair in his room.
After pulling on clean boxers and sleep pants, I head upstairs to the kitchen. He’s left a thermos of coffee on the counter, and after pouring myself a mug, I catch the aroma as I bring it to my lips. Banana.
I know he said he’d come and cook us breakfast, which might as well be lunch for me at this hour, but I’m not sitting around waiting for him to cater to me more than he already has. Not that I don’t appreciate it, because I really fucking do, but I’m more than capable of making us breakfast.
After locating a cutting board and knife and rummaging through his fridge, I chop vegetables for an omelette. Diamond’s fridge is stocked with a lot of organic produce and locally sourced meats. The packages are none I recognize from the grocery store. I’ll have to ask him where he finds this stuff.
