Chapter 6 #2
“Hey, man, what’s up?” Sterling answered the phone with those words, like he knew Dawson wouldn’t be calling for shits and giggles.
“Well, I’m just thinking about all the ways I’ve screwed up in this last week, and I wanted to call and get some advice.”
“Yeah, I heard that you and that Seamus Givens aren’t getting along like a house afire.”
Dawson winced because that meant Coke had called Sterling and told him everything that was going on. “Yeah, I kind of showed my ass. There’s just something about that man, buddy, there’s just something about him that rubs me wrong.”
Or more like something about him that rubbed him just right…
“Is he an asshole?” Sterling asked, and Dawson slumped down on his mattress, almost bouncing.
“No, he’s not an asshole. He’s nice. It’s just unreasonable that one person can be attractive, talented, nice, and wealthy. His people like him, his parents like him. It’s just not fair.”
Sterling was silent for a good long minute and then said, “Have you lost your damn mind?”
“I think so. I really think so. You know me— I mean, okay, I can be a bit of a grump—”
Sterling snorted. “A bit of one, yes, absolutely. Just a touch, a tad, an itty-bitty bit, a—”
“Shut up. But nobody says I’m an asshole. They say, ‘Oh, he’s grouchy,’ ‘Oh, he’s grumpy,’ but I’m not mean. And this guy makes me want to bite him.”
Sterling started chuckling.
“Don’t you laugh at me.” He didn’t deserve that.
“Buddy. Dawes, listen to yourself. So, you’re going to be evil to him because you want him? I mean, this is like the big gay actor— I’m out and proud. I’m on the front of all the magazines, and so what? You got a chance to get with somebody that’s hot and pretty, and you just can’t bear it?”
“That’s not what I—”
“Don’t bullshit me.” Sterling snapped. “You can bullshit a lot of people. I know you. You’re pissed off because you think this guy’s pretty.”
He shook his head. “He’s fucking stunning.”
“Okay, has he got a boyfriend?”
“No, I don’t think so. I think the trainer guy and the security guy are together for sure. There’s some intensity there, but… I don’t think so… I’m an idiot.”
“Well, yeah.” Sterling really didn’t have to answer so quick. He could have pretended to think about it.
“Look, he may think I’m ugly like a toad. There’s no saying that just because I would give in and try to come on to him or something, he would be receptive to it, gay or not.” Dawson shook his head even though no one could see it. “I’m a broke-dick bull fighter who can’t even do my job right now.”
“You’re not broke-dick. Are you on the mend? Absolutely. Can you do your job? Have you been able to get out there in the arena and run him through his paces?”
Dawson felt his shoulders hunching up around his ears. “Of course I have it. I ain’t no quitter, and I’m not going to be shirking my duties.”
“And has he been having a hard time keeping up with you?”
That made Dawson chuckle a little bit. “A touch, yeah. He’s been having a tough row to hoe with the altitude and the fact that he’s built kind of like a swimmer.
Bulky through the chest, lean through the legs.
He could probably run for miles or swim for days, but quick twists and turns are so far not his forte. ”
“But you’re out there with a pin in your leg doing it, and you probably make it look like he’s standing still.”
“He’s getting better,” Dawson snapped.
“Sure he is. I’m just saying, you’re not broke-dick, that’s all. Look,” Sterling chuckled warmly. “Apologize to the man. Not groveling. Just man-to-man. Look him right in the eye and tell him you’re sorry you were an ass.”
“And then what?” The problem was still going to be there. The man was damn well going to be everything Dawson could ever want and nothing he could ever have.
“And then see what happens from there. If he can forgive you for being a jerk, then you might have a shot. You never know. Have a fling with him. Get your rocks off. It’ll go a long way toward healing you.”
The thought of getting off with Seamus made his dick twitch in his pants, and he didn’t want to have his dick twitching while he was talking to Sterling.
That was just gross.
Because, damn, Sterling? The man was as taken as Mr. Coke, and not only that, but…just no.
“Why not? Honest to God, man. If he makes you horny, then tell him. If you can’t do it, then just be decent. From what you just said, he’s not a bad kid.”
He shook his head, even though Sterling couldn’t see him. “No, he’s not a kid, and he’s nice. I was an asshole, and he didn’t deserve it. I have to say, I’m embarrassed.”
“Well, there you go. You know exactly what you need to say. I guarantee you if this guy is a good guy, he’s gonna take it, accept what you said. And if he doesn’t, then fuck him.” Sterling made everything clearer.
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. I’m always right. I wish you would just learn that.”
Dawson was going to kick Sterling’s butt. “Look, old man.”
“Hey! You’re working with the real old guys right now. I was a baby when Mr. Coke was at his prime. I was a kid, and I’m retired, and now it’s you, man. Now, you’re at your prime, and you know from old.”
“I tell you what though. I’ve gotta tell you. Mr. Coke and Nate? Shit. They just do it. They’re out there like it’s nothing, and I mean I know these aren’t ranked bulls, but those two men—it’s an honor to work with them.” Dawson felt that deep in his chest.
Sterling got it. “They’re the shit, right? There’s never been a bull fighter like Coke Pharris, and there will never be again. He’s special. Nate is too, but Mr. Coke? He’s the best of all of us.”
“Yeah, well, he’d have to be if he puts up with Dillon Walsh every goddamn day.”
Sterling started laughing, and the laughter got bigger and bigger. He could just see his friend in his mind’s eye—sitting there in the backyard, throwing balls for his dogs and laughing to beat the band.
Dawson was even more relaxed and laughing by the time Sterling was done. Lord have mercy.
“So, anyway, what can it hurt? Give it a shot.”
“I will.” At the apology, anyway. He owed the guy that much for sure. “Thanks, buddy. I appreciate you.”
“As you should.”
“I can’t believe you’re retired.”
“It was time, Dawes.”
He sighed. Change was hard, and this man was his hero. “I know. Well, you tell Colby I said hey.”
“You know I will. Let me know how it goes.”
“I will.” Or maybe not, but he would pretend to, if nothing else. That depended on how it did actually go. “Later, man.”
“Hang in there, bud.” Sterling’s voice was still amused, but it also sounded fond. The man was like the best kind of big brother.
“I will.”
They hung up, and he went to go grab a shower. He would present a peace offering of some sort when they went back to work tomorrow.
Dawson had no idea what yet, but he’d come up with something.
God knew he worked best under pressure, right?