Chapter 10 Rhett
ten
Rhett
“Make sure you have a good hold on the rope. Move the spurs. If you don’t, you’ll just look like a guy on the back of a bucking horse. You understand?”
The kid, who can’t be more than twenty years old, nods his head. “Yeah, I got it. I’m ready.”
He nods, and the other men open the chute doors. The bronc busts out bucking, and the kid, well, he holds on for dear life and does none of the things he’s supposed to. He makes it to the buzzer, though, so there’s that, I guess.
He walks back to the chutes with his jaw set and tears threatening to fall.
“I’m too nervous. I know I need to spur, but I…I just think about holding on.”
“That’s part of the sport that you need to push out of your head. If you don’t, you’ll never get good at this. No matter how many coaching sessions or clinics.”
“Is there, like, a psychologist or something to talk to?”
“That’s a mighty good question. I’ll look into that and let you know. For now, go take a dinner break, and we’ll get back to it later.”
The kid nods and leaves for the room where Gabe already has the session’s dinner service set up.
Well, he didn’t set it up, but he was here to direct the caterer at least. Which I’m grateful for because I’ve barely had time to take a piss.
Eating and feeding a group of cowboys is the last thing on my mind.
“I bet Griff would know a psychologist.”
Spinning around, I find the man I can’t seem to stop thinking about standing behind me. The smile on my lips is genuine as I take a step toward him. I want to hug him, but I’m unsure if that would be okay to do.
“Hey, Diamond. What are you doing here?” I shove my hands in my pockets instead.
“I heard you’d be here late. I brought you something and thought I’d ask if there was anything I could help you with.”
He holds a drink tray and a paper bag from The Thirsty Cow, and I reach for the cups. Not just because I want what he brought, but it keeps my hands from grabbing him and kissing him. “Your timing is perfect.”
“Take the one with the R on it.”
I pull the cup from the tray and sip immediately. I never thought I’d love flavoured coffees with fancy foams, but I’m practically drooling before it gets to my mouth.
“Oh, this one is different.” Diamond smiles, but his blue eyes seem dull, and I immediately reach out to touch his arm. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” His eyes spot the students with plates piled high sitting around, and he narrows his eyes. “Is it supper break?”
“It is.”
“And you’re not eating because….”
“Hey, Rhett! Can you show me how to fix my saddle before we start?”
Diamond hums under his breath. “He’ll find you later, sug!” he calls out and then takes me by the arm towards the office.
“What are you doing?”
He opens the office door and points to the sofa. I sit because, good god, it feels good to just sit and sink into the cushions. “I’ll be right back. Stay there.”
It’s kind of cute how he tries to scowl at me, but I don’t think he’d appreciate it if I laughed at him. I just nod, and after he sets his things on my desk, he disappears. Hopefully not for long, because I’ve been thinking about our trail ride and how there’s more to him than sass and Daisy Dukes.
Like how his body shuddered when I touched him, and how he tasted on my lips.
Probably thought about all that far too much, if I’m honest. Hunter knew right away, of course.
I was still cleaning up the puddles and mud tracks we’d left through the house when he got home.
There must have been something on my face that confirmed it.
Hunter laughed and left his boots by the door before saying he was glad he wasn’t around when we dragged all the mud inside.
It wasn’t a green light, but it was enough for me to know he was okay knowing about Diamond and me. Which is enough for now.
I want to go out with Diamond again. I want to know about the belt buckle and how he learned to ride so well, and so many other things that it hurts my head just thinking about it.
He returns with two plates of food from the dinner buffet and hands one to me. “You probably haven’t stopped all day to eat or take care of yourself, have you?” He passes me cutlery from his pocket and then settles next to me on the sofa with his plate.
“Not really. I had a coffee and a donut this morning. It’s a lot to get used to. Our first group of students, you know? It’s exciting, and you lose track of time.”
He smiles like he knows exactly what I mean. “Yeah, it’s a rush. I remember when I opened The Thirsty Cow. I never wanted to leave. It was so intoxicating just being in a space I created and doing something I loved.”
He forks some food into his mouth, and that jolts me into remembering I have a plate on my lap, too. The pasta salad is amazing, and I devour more, suddenly famished.
“How long have you owned the place?”
Diamond grins. “It’s been six years already. Sometimes it’s hard to believe. When your dreams come true, it never ends. You just keep living in this fog of disbelief that you did it. It’s wild.”
“I know what you mean. I felt like that when I won my first championship. I started as a starry-eyed teenager with a chip on his shoulder, but I knew I’d win, eventually.
When that first big cheque came to me, and I held that belt buckle, it was…
” It was a long time ago, but I’ve never forgotten how I felt that first time, and I’ve been fortunate to feel it a few more times after that.
“Surreal,” Diamond supplies, and I nod in agreement.
“Yeah.”
“You wear the buckle well, though. Nothing sexier than a cowboy with something to show off outside his pants.” He winks at me, and I know I don’t respond how he probably hoped I would.
It’s just us, and his comment is meant for me, but after tasting him and being with him, his flirtatious ways feel like a too-large jacket.
They don’t fit our new dynamic, and I don’t know how to say that.
Diamond sighs and sets his plate aside.
“Rhett, can I be real with you right now?”
“Yes. Always.”
With a shaky huff, he leans forward, twisting his hands together.
“I flirt because it’s a defence mechanism. My armour, I suppose. You probably figured that out already.” He forces a short laugh. “I’ve done it for so long it’s hard to stop. But I like to see other people smile even on days I can’t. My customers…they like it. They come sometimes just for that.”
He bites his lip and finally raises his gaze to meet mine.
This isn’t just information. No, he’s telling me this because we might be on the same wavelength. One that’s so similar we’re having a hard time connecting the way we should.
I know that look because I’ve seen it in the mirror a time or two.
“I like to push most people away before they know me. That’s my defence. Hurts less when you’re not attached to someone when they leave.”
Diamond’s eyes widen, and I duck my head. This isn’t the place for us to have this conversation, but maybe it’s the time.
“I like you, Rhett. If I could build a perfect man on the outside—and I did, I could show you my Pinterest board.” He smiles, and the sparkle flashes in his eyes.
“It would be you.” He puffs a breath, and his fingertips tap on his thigh.
“You make me think of things I’ve ignored for years. Things I want.”
His honesty shouldn’t come as a surprise. Diamond always says what’s on his mind. Whether it’s telling me I look good in plaid or admitting I wrung him out after one quick orgasm at my hand.
“You’re hard to say no to.” I laugh.
“That’s true.” He smiles again, but then faces me with those bluest of blue eyes. A determination so bold that I understand how he fought cancer and won.
He picks up his plate of food and pointedly looks at my plate, which is only half finished despite my hunger.
“You should eat more, Rhett. You still need food to get through the day.”
Diamond shoves a forkful of pasta salad in his mouth, and he’s right. I should. So I do, and that simple action seems to lift his spirits. We turn to talking about the bronc riders waiting for me, and he offers to call Griff and look into a sports psychologist for the school.
“I’d appreciate it if you could do that. I think knowing I can give that kid a name will help.”
Checking the time, I’m sorry to see our little break is over, and I stand.
“It’s time for the evening session. Thank you for the coffee and for making sure I eat. That means more than you know.”
“I understand how it is to have a busy work schedule, and I really wanted to see you again. Am I allowed to stay and watch?”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Don’t you have something better to do this evening?”
The flirty lift of his lips returns as he steps forward. “Is there anything better than watching sexy men on the back of a horse?”
My brain takes me back to watching him on the back of his horse in the rain, running and moving with Cherry with all the confidence he should have in every part of his life, and I shake my head.
He steps closer and rests his hand on my chest.
“You’re not that complicated, Rhett. Everyone is scared of the unknown. Some of us just go in swinging anyway and hope we win the fight.”
If I kiss those lips now, I know I won’t make it back to the evening session. Instead, I take his hand from my chest and kiss his palm. “I’ll see you out there then.”
He nods, a sexy grin in place that will be hard to forget for the rest of the evening. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that’s what he wants.
“Oh, I brought you this.” He passes the bag he brought with him over to me, and I inhale.
“Banana cookie?”
“Banana shortbread. I tried something new.”
“I’m gonna tuck it in my pocket and eat it after. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll clean up the plates here and call Griff from the office if that’s okay?”
“Completely.”
He nods and turns away to clean up while I wonder if what I’m about to do will wreck me or make me whole.