Chapter 4 Rhett
four
Rhett
Ididn’t think I’d see the man so soon. I also didn’t peg him as someone who works in a coffee shop, but now the cupcakes he left make more sense.
Good grief, the number of coffee choices on the board was too much for me to decipher. But if Hunter and Jackson come here often enough to have regular orders, it seems I’ll need to learn the offerings and maybe try something different.
Not exactly a hardship if the attractive Diamond is the one serving me. Although I probably shouldn’t sample the goods within a tight friend group. I think. Seems like a bad idea and I certainly don’t want to mess up anyone’s friendship, but also…he’s too fucking pretty to downright ignore.
Which I’m certain is what I tell myself every time I chase after yet another beautiful man who ends up breaking my heart. It’s such a pattern of mine. You’d think I’d learn, but nope.
“The final building inspection is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.” Hunter hands Jackson and me a sheet of paper each, and I let my musings over Diamond go. “I’ll be there for that, but I’d love it if either or both of you could be there too. You know, for moral support.”
He shrugs off his request like it’s an easy thing to admit he wants company. Jackson, sure, they’re best friends, but why he includes me, I can only assume is because I’ll be running the place mostly when he’s not around.
“Of course I’ll be there,” Jackson says and rattles the sheet in his hand. “What’s this for? When did you start making checklists?”
“Since my husband won an argument about how forgetful I am,” he grumbles, and both Jackson and I laugh.
Jackson’s lips tilt in a knowing grin. “How did you lose the argument?”
The page crinkles in my hand as I adjust to look at Hunter while he answers. He sighs before he mumbles, and both Jackson and I lean closer.
“I’m sorry? I didn’t catch that.” I say, and Hunter cuts his gaze to mine.
“I forgot to buy lube and—”
Jackson laughs and slaps his knee. “You didn’t! Oh god, Hunter. I don’t blame him for making you write stuff down. I’d be pissed too.”
“Yeah, well, it was one time!”
Hunter’s cheeks flush as he returns his gaze to the table in front of us.
It’s weird to see him like this. I mostly know him as a fierce competitor in the rodeo ring and the man who chases a dream of opening a rodeo school.
He’s smiled and laughed, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen him flush with embarrassment.
“Are you lying again?” Diamond arrives at our table, catching the end of the conversation.
He bumps Hunter with his hip as he deftly sets his tray on the table.
“Do I have to tell Mr. Handsome you’re still grouchy over the list thing?
” Diamond’s teasing voice cuts through our laughter as he places our drinks in front of us.
“Admit that it helps to write it down. You’re getting older. It happens to the best of us.”
Diamond smiles at Hunter with a teasing grin. Clearly, he’s close to the men I now work for, but does he need to be so…flirty with his friends? Hunter is married, for god’s sake. Does he like all their shirts like he liked mine, or make them get fluttery when he sets his blue eyes on them?
Why the fuck am I even thinking these things?
“I’m aging like fine wine, I’ll have you know,” Hunter drawls.
Diamond pats his cheek softly. “You’ll always be tall, dark, and handsome to me.
” There’s an underlying tenderness there, and I wonder if they’ve ever been more than friends.
Which shouldn’t make me angry if they once were.
But the boil of jealousy settles in my gut, and I need to bite my tongue until I taste copper to stop from saying anything ridiculous.
I’ve been here for three days. Three damn days and I’m already doing my usual bullshit and attaching myself to a man who will no doubt turn me inside out if I let him. Hell of a kickoff to my fresh start. If I could kick my own ass right now, I would.
“I know you ordered a black coffee, Sug but I just can’t do it. I made you this instead, and I think you’ll like it.”
Diamond settles a large mug in front of me. His slender fingers are so at home around a white porcelain mug, it’s almost jarring. My hands are hard and calloused, filled with scratches and scars. They’re hands that match being a bronc rider and weathering the hard work of rodeo and ranch living.
Diamond’s hands are as graceful as his legs and as pretty as his face. All things I don’t need to be distracted by.
Whatever he places in front of me is definitely not black coffee.
“Do you always ignore a customer’s order?” The clip of my voice sounds foreign even to me. It’s harsh and unnecessary, but I’m committed now.
Diamond blinks, shocked that I’m not happy or maybe because I sound like an asshole, before his easy personality slides back in place. “Of course not, sug. It’s still black coffee, just with a kick.”
It’s not black coffee. It’s foamy and has a goddamn heart sprinkled on it with dark brown powder.
Again…does he make hearts for everyone? Hearts on coffee foam shouldn’t be your default.
It messes with people. Probably just me, but still.
“It’s not what I wanted. Get me a black coffee without the foamy shit.
” A beat of heavy silence settles among the group.
“Please,” I add, and Diamond’s smile doesn’t reappear.
“As you wish. My apologies.”
He swipes up the mug with his too-perfect hands and swishes away on his too fucking sexy legs, but the silence around me remains. Hunter’s glare could cut glass, and Jackson’s lips press into a thin line.
I’ve fucked up. Big time.
“You didn’t have to be so rude, Rhett. He left you a fucking cupcake outside your bedroom door and was trying to be nice,” Hunter grates, and my heart sinks.
“He didn’t bring what I ordered.”
“You could have asked a little nicer than that,” Jackson says and clears his throat. “Diamond is a friend, Rhett. You don’t seem to like him, and there’s nothing about him worth disliking. I promise he’s a sweet soul you’ll grow fond of in no time.”
No shit. Not sure if fond is the right word to go with here, but telling his friend he makes my dick hard likely isn’t the best route here.
The silence is still awkward as fuck. Hunter won’t tolerate me disrespecting his close friends, and I didn’t mean to come off as an asshole. I’m really not.
“I’m sorry,” I offer, and both men nod, but Hunter still peers through me like he knows exactly where my thoughts are.
“We aren’t the ones you should apologize to,” Hunter says, then lets it drop, switching back to talking about the inspection and what’s on the checklist.
“I think the bronc riding students should have the week before bulls. We can keep more space open for the ropers and bull riders together that way. What do you think, Rhett?” Hunter clicks his pen and checks something off on his list.
“Yeah, I think that’s a great idea. I can do both saddle and bareback riders, too.
They bring their own saddles, and we wouldn’t need to book horse stock twice if we lump them together.
It’s just learning, so the type of horse they practice ride won’t matter at this point.
It would be a sound business choice, I think. ”
Hunter hums in agreement. “I think so too. I just want to confirm you could handle that, though. We have 12 riders interested in broncs, and you’re only one guy. Is that too many to coach at once?”
I tilt my head and run it over in my mind. I’d prefer a smaller group, but usually other rodeo cowboys can be called upon to help when needed, especially if I have a lot of rookie riders. I could even break them into smaller sessions. We can definitely make this work.
“I just have to deal with the rider stuff though for broncs, right? I can plan the days and coaching, but if the caterer is late or something, I’m not sure I’d provide the best experience if I have to be doing that too.”
Jackson shakes his head. “No. When you’re coaching, that’s your only job. My husband will handle the meal arrangements for you those weeks and—”
“One black coffee, sug.” Diamond places the mug in front of me with a little less sparkle than before. If I didn’t feel like a ball of shit before, I sure do now.
“I’m sorry for being so rude earlier. I was out of line.”
Diamond’s gaze meets mine, and for that one moment, I think all is well…until he nods and murmurs that it’s fine and walks away. No smiling or flirting with anyone. Not even a touch of Hunter’s shoulder. He just…leaves.
And I’m relieved. I think.
Clearing my throat, I pick up the conversation and push the way Diamond dismissed me out of my mind. “If the other duties are covered when I’m coaching, then twelve riders will be fine.”
“Good.” Hunter checks off another box on his list. “I’ll do the ropers, and I might ask a friend to come out and help for that time.
We have a lot of interest in roping. Jamieson does bull riders and Jackson does steer wrestling.
I might need to find another helper for the bulls, too.
We have so many bull riders interested, I’m afraid we might have to say no to some before the circuit starts and have them come in the fall. ”
We continue working out the schedule of when the sessions will start, and Hunter hands me an envelope with all the current applicants’ info to book now that the facility is set to open and staffing is in place.
Apparently, he doesn’t trust emails, so he printed every application.
I don’t have the heart to tell him I’ll just input it all into a program, and his printing is a waste.
“How much of this year’s tour are you planning to go on, Rhett?” Jackson asks as we finally end the business discussions and talk about what we all love—rodeo.
“As many as I can around this job. Kissing Ridge Rodeo, obviously, but this job comes first.”