Gabe bursts out laughing, and Hunter cracks a smile even though he knows he just lost the game. While we mostly follow the rules and use real words, if we can make up words that make sense, the points stand. Serendickity is a whopper of a score, and I just won.
“I’d let you win on creativity alone, Diamond. That’s a good one.” Hunter finishes his beer, and with the night winding down, my window to ask about Rhett grows smaller. I figure now is asgood a time as any to bring him up. I’ve practiced patience that needs a damn award at this point.
The man walked through here with a nod and an apology for not joining us before following Hunter upstairs with his cute-as-fuck dog. But not before Jamieson did a round of introductions and I got to lay my eyes on the man in the flesh.
Let me say, pictures don’t do him justice. The mild scruff, the chiseled jaw and my god…his eyes. They’re like pools of warm chocolate. Could the man be anymore attractive? No smile though, but I’ll let it pass because he said he’d been driving for days and also…cute dog.
“I didn’t know you would have a houseguest. Will he be here long?”
Hunter nods slowly and pins me with his stare. “Yeah, he’s here permanently. Well, in town permanently, at least. I needed a bronc rider for the school and he’s the perfect fit.” Hunter holds my gaze. “He’s only staying here until he finds a place of his own.”
“Ah, so he’s single and needs a bed. My kind of guy.” Gabe chuckles while Hunter glares at me. “Do you think he’d want a lava cupcake? I could leave one if Jamieson doesn’t eat them all.”
Jamieson pauses at the table with snacks and looks my way. “If you’re placing limits on my food now, I’m gonna need to know when the night starts so I can plan properly.”
“Is that why you brought something different?” Jackson asks as he sits next to me with one of the lava cakes on a paper plate. He bites into it and moans. “It’s fantastic, by the way.”
“Can’t a guy make something different for his friends?”
“I’d believe that if you weren’t talking about dick a minute ago.” Hunter quips, and I suppose I’m not exactly that hard to read. Rhett could be my serendickity. It would be a waste not to learn more about him.
“What’s his story, anyway? Just a rodeo cowboy in need of work or what?”
I can find all this out in time from Levi, but if Hunter knows, I may as well just cut out the middleman.
“I don’t really know his entire story, Diamond.” Hunter sits across from me, a furrow in his brow. “I’ve offered him a temporary place to stay. He wants to find his own home here permanently. Jackson and I brought him on to help run the new rodeo facility full time. He’ll travel the circuit as much as he still wants to ride. That’s it.”
Hunter pins me with his gaze, and I try not to clap with excitement that he’s staying. It’s no secret to any of these men that I’m easily charmed by rugged cowboy looks. They also know I like to sample the rodeo offerings from time to time. I have a weakness for the rodeo swagger and a man who always looks like he might break your back.
They know what I’m like.
Hunter scrubs a hand down his face. “Dee, you know I love you, but if Rhett is going to be your next project, can you please not let it affect his work? Or us? If he turns out to be a dick, I can’t just fire him or make him leave. He’s a part of our group.”
“Thank you, big brother, but I would never do that. I own a business too, and I understand.” My words are clipped as I cross my arms over my chest.
If the proverbial shoe were on the other foot, I’d be pissed if any of these guys caused me to lose my best customer or supplier. But that’s not what will happen with Rhett.
He and I will get along just fine. I know it.
“I know you care, and I understand the concern, okay? But if there’s a mistake to be made with him, it won’t ever affect you. Trust me.” Hunter’s gaze softens, and I know I’ve won this. “Thank you, though.” I squeeze his hand because I know he likes it when I do. “I appreciate you looking out for me. Always.Sometimes, though, you just need to let me fall, you know? This group means more to me than dick. Even if it could be serendickity.”
Hunter nods with a snort, and I grin with victory.
“Never change, Diamond.” Hunter rumbles.
“Dee, you ready to head home?” Levi yawns in the doorway. “You have an early day and so do I, since you wrangled me to help at the café.”
“How do you never stay up after midnight on a work night? You’re 30, not 80.”
Levi just shrugs. “It’s different when it’s not rodeo. This is like…a serious job. If I screw up, it affects you, and I don’t want that.”
Such a tender heart, this guy.
“I won’t fire you, Levi, but I appreciate that.”
Our group gathers things and leaves in pairs. Jackson and Riley. Jamieson and Griff. Me and Levi because he’s my best friend next to Hunter and Gabe. I cast a glance up the stairs where Rhett is now. Would it be rude to leave a cupcake outside his door?
Before Levi can stop me, I jog up the stairs and set the container in front of what I hope is Rhett’s bedroom door. Fuck, I want to knock so bad, but this isn’t the time. I know that. Instead, I stand in the hallway like a creeper and inhale, hoping to... I don’t know, smell him? Maybe manifest him to open the door and tell me how he also has a vision board, and I’m the man he’s been dreaming of?
