Chapter 3
three
Diamond
“Serendickity is not a fucking word,” Hunter growls, but I don’t miss the look he shoots Gabe to confirm.
“Sure it is.” Leaning back with my glass of fruit juice, I wait to see who will crack first. Predictably, it’s Hunter as he pulls out his phone to search for a word I made up.
“Serendipity, Diamond. I know that one,” Jamieson says, and I nod.
“Well, this one is even better.” Hunter’s sigh and his eye roll can be felt around the world as he waits for my explanation. “Serendickity; a chance occurrence of events involving dick that are happy. Serendickity.”
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 as good 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?
Best not to push the fates. With a final sigh, I quietly head back downstairs.
I give my thanks to Hunter and Gabe for another great night, and Hunter gives me a look like he knows exactly what I did. But I don’t let him say anything else. With a kiss to each of their cheeks, I’m out the door.
Once settled in Levi’s truck on the way to my house, Levi breaks the silence.
“You wanted to knock on his door with that cupcake, didn’t you?”
“Of course I did.”
“But?”
Levi knows me well, and I angle towards him. “If he drove all day and he’s sleeping, that would be a dick move to wake him up like that.”
Not to mention it’s not the best first impression. Even I know that. Let the guy sleep so he can bask in my amazingness when he’s ready.
We chat a bit more about what will happen at The Thirsty Cow tomorrow before Levi drops me off at home.
After checking the kitchen to make sure Dad didn’t leave me any notes, I quietly make my way to my room in the basement.
It’s nearly 1 A.M., and while Sunday is usually my day off, one of my staff is still away sick.
Instead of finding someone else to cover, I said I’d do it.
Levi offered his help, and I wasn’t about to turn him away either.
5 A.M. will come quickly, but I can’t bring myself to sleep just yet.
My eternal optimism has one of its random dips, and I replay the worst day of my life.
Instead of basking in the warmth and fun I just shared with my closest friends, memories of the man I thought would love me through better or worse burst unwanted into my positive bubble.
I’m grateful to be home when my downturn hits and not somewhere I need to hide it.
Thankfully, I have the best dad in the world who helped me not just over heartbreak but also through the fight of my life.
My hand absently brushes over my short hair.
A reminder, perhaps, of all I lost. Even after he left me when I needed him most, my heart took forever to let him go, and I still hate that about myself.
I’ve worked hard to be the bubbly business owner I am today. I’ve left the past behind me, finally, and my personality is what it was before all the shit that exploded my happily ever after into nothing but charred bits.
I’m Diamond.
I’m the man who loves to flirt and makes people feel good about themselves through compliments and food. I’m the man who doesn’t give up.
I didn’t go through hell just to give up looking for love. There’s a man out there for me, and it’s Rhett.
He just doesn’t know it yet.
“Oh, Kirk, you didn’t have to bring me flowers.”
The town florist, Kirk Summers, sets the arrangement on the front counter.
“You ordered them and need to come up with a new line, Diamond.” He rolls his eyes, but there’s a smile there.
“Fine. I’ll work on new material if you promise to stop working so much.”
Kirk laughs loud enough to draw the attention of patrons. “Pot meet kettle.” He says when he gets himself under control and I allow him that.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. Hey, listen. Next week, could you make the bouquet something white? Like with a wedding feel?” Passing him the empty vase for next week’s delivery, he raises an eyebrow.
“Is there a wedding in the future?”
“There’s always a wedding somewhere. Just something different is all. I’m feeling romantic, so surprise me.”
“Okay. I’ll see what I can do.”
Passing Kirk his usual mint mocha—yes, it’s out of season, but that’s what friends do for each other—he leans against the counter for our weekly chat before he’s back to deliveries.
“How’s your dad?”
Smiling, I mirror his lean. “Singing to tomato sandwiches daily. The usual.” Kirk sips and slides his gaze from mine. “You know I’m fine with it if you want to ask him out.”
“What!? Where…I…” Kirk’s face grows as red as the tomato Dad still talks about. “I was just being polite, asking about your family.”
“Mhmm, and I’m just being polite, telling you it’s fine with me.
” I might be wrong, but I’m almost positive the florist has a crush on my dad ever since dad would not stop gushing over how gorgeous his flower shop was last Christmas.
Kirk isn’t a man of many words, so if he needs a push, I’ll push him with a smile on my face.
Kirk clears his throat. “Did you get a notice about business taxes going up?”
Classic deflection, but I’ll allow it. Lord knows I’ve used it a time or three.
“I did. Are you planning to go to the meeting about it?” Kissing Ridge is raising our taxes, and while it’s not a surprise since they do it every year, this year seems like a bigger leap than usual.
Hunter even mentioned it since his new rodeo school training facility is almost ready to open, and now he has to rework some numbers.
“I might.”
Kirk and I chat a bit more before I see familiar faces heading into the coffee shop and one new face that makes my heart race. Kirk follows my gaze and raps his knuckles on the counter.
“I’ll let you get to work. See you next week.”
“Thanks, Kirk. Have a great day, Sug.”
Kirk exits, holding the door for Hunter, Jackson, and Rhett. Jackson waves before heading off to the washroom, and Hunter stops at the counter with Rhett.
“Hey, Dee. We have some business to discuss, so me and Jackson will take our usual.” He motions towards Rhett. “What do you like?”
Rhett scans the board, and Hunter points to the back. “Just join us in the back after you order.”
Rhett nods and remains silent, still not looking at me. I’m going to assume it’s because I look spectacular today and for no other reason than if he maintains eye contact for too long, he might ravish me in public.
Yeah…that must be it.
“What do you like?” I ask.
“Coffee. Usually.”
His voice is softer than I expected, and I like that about him since he’s all hard lines and scruff outside. A delicious dichotomy of sexiness. The other night, it was raspy with exhaustion, and I liked that too.
But right now, he’s overthinking a beverage order.
“I can just bring you a coffee, Sug. It doesn’t need to be today’s most difficult decision. Save that for when you choose your wardrobe every morning because that shirt is flannel-stitched sex. Good choice.”
He looks down at what he’s wearing, brows furrowed like cute little caterpillars.
“It’s plaid?”
“It is, and it looks great on you. I hope you have a closet full of that colour.”
Rhett’s gaze finally meets mine, and oof…those eyes. Give me a life vest because I will happily drown in them and regret nothing. His gaze lingers on my face before travelling down my body, and it takes all my effort not to ask him if he wants to see my clothes on the floor.
“Thank you for the cupcakes,” he says and returns his attention to the menu board. “Tater almost ate them, but I was faster.”
“Tater?”
“My dog,” he says, and when he smiles, it completely changes his face. The lines at his eyes crease in a way that tells me he used to laugh a lot, and when his dark eyelashes dust his cheeks again, I’m absolutely crushing on this man more than I thought was possible.
“That’s such a cute name. How could I forget little Tater?
” My voice is breathy as I imagine him doting on the adorable little dog that tore into Hunter’s living room like it owned the place.
I want to ask him more, but Hunter’s voice calls out, and he turns towards it.
His expression morphs back to the mostly unreadable expression of a wax mannequin, and I wonder what I need to do just to get him to tell me more about his dog.
Or to smile like that again. Literally anything than stare at a menu board when he could be staring at me.
“I’ll just take a normal coffee. Nothing fancy. Thanks.”
He spins, and I watch as he strides across the coffee shop to join Jackson and Hunter at the back of the room. Jackson chose the cozy corner with the couch and loveseat, with a small table between them. Rhett takes a seat next to Hunter and leaves his back to me.
With a sigh, I prepare the coffee as requested, but I can’t just leave it a normal coffee. He probably wants it black, too. Who even drinks that anymore? It’s like a cupcake with no icing…boring.
Nothing fancy, he says.
Clearly, he doesn’t know me that well, and that has to change.