Epilogue
“Iwanna do, like, trucks or beer or… I don’t know… crypto. Cool stuff. Can I do that?”
Cole put his phone on speaker and wandered out onto the deck where his husband was grilling steaks. Bodie was never more handsome than when he was outdoors doing something he loved, and Bodie did love the grill.
“I can certainly look into those things. I do try to tailor sponsorships to the rider. It makes good business sense.”
“Does everybody get swag?”
“Does—uh—” He smiled and mouthed “Pistol” before handing Bodie a beer. “Swag? Yeah, sometimes that happens, especially if—”
“Okay. And how do I get paid?”
“That’s through me. You’ll have a portal where you can check your—”
“Cool. On my phone, got it.”
Pistol never let him finish a sentence. He hardly remembered being that young. “So, your only job is to stay in shape and keep riding like you are. I’ll always discuss new contracts with you, and you have the right to ask for different terms.”
Nobody ever needed to ask for different terms, he did right by his clients, but Pistol was young and might need some… training.
“Cool, cool. I trust you. I know you’re the best. Everyone says so.”
He gave Bodie a big grin at that and straightened up tall, goofing around.
“Once the tour starts next year, I’ll tell you where to be and when. Otherwise, you ride like your ass is on fire.”
“You know it. So, you’ll be in touch.”
“I’ll be in touch. But you call me any time.”
“Will do. Tell Bodie I’m next!”
He did his best not to laugh out loud at the look on Bodie’s face. “I will definitely pass that on. Bye now.”
“Later!”
He hung up with a soft laugh. “Man. He’s going to be a handful.”
“Uh-huh. You be careful. No flirting.” Bodie gave him the tough face and then cracked up, eyes laughing at him. “Better you than me, honey. Better you than me.”
“Steaks smell great.”
Amelia looked up slightly from where she was lying in the shade.
“Someone knows s-t-e-a-k. I blame you.”
“She does. She’s a brilliant little girl, my baby. Your hooligan, on the other hand, I’m fairly sure is sleeping on my pillow right now in the bedroom.”
“Wasn’t he out here hanging out so he could stay out of trouble? And since when were they a mine and yours deal?” As if that was in question. Amelia adored Bodie, and he was literally the only human Earhart would listen to.
“No, I let him in. He was shivering.” God, Bodie was a mooch. And Earhart knew it.
“Aww, such a softie.” He sipped his beer. “We have a couple of months before your work ramps up. Should we dig in here or get on the road?” They’d been here a while, had a quiet wedding ceremony, hiked a little.
Stayed in bed a lot.
“Let’s stay here, have our holidays, fuck like bunnies, and then work. Fair?”
“I don’t hear any bad in that. Wait until you see the size of the Christmas tree I put in that window. It lights up half the deck.”
“Perfect. I—This is my first Christmas I haven’t been riding in years.” Bodie beamed at him. “I approve.”
“I do lights too. What else do you want?” He hadn’t ever asked what Bodie’s Christmas traditions were. “Should we invite your folks? Friends?”
Bodie’s expression was surprisingly vulnerable. “Can we spend this year just us? Just the two of us making our own traditions?”
“I would love that. You and me, the tree and the snow. Maybe a fire. Maybe eggnog. Nat King Cole and Gene Autry.” It sounded pretty perfect actually. “I’ve spent Christmas on my own for a long time. I can’t wait to share it.”
“Me either. Too. Whatever. I’m just happy to be an us. Together.” Bodie chuckled and shook his head. “Steaks are ready.”
Amelia woofed softly.
“Hush, doggo.” He chuckled and found the platter, holding it so Bodie could serve up the steaks. He admired his handsome champion against the setting sun and the mountains in the background. “Everything is ready inside.” He’d roasted some potatoes and made a salad.
He didn’t know what the future held for them, but that was okay. He knew he wouldn’t lose Bodie in the arena. He knew Bodie was enjoying retirement, was confident in them.
As long as his husband was happy, he was happy.
They’d figure out the rest. Together.