2. Jackson
two
Jackson
L eaning on my pool stick, my gaze scans the bar. It’s filled with old-looking rich guys. Not just a few, but dozens of them. Which is not the type of fun I’m looking for.
To be fair, my fun isn’t a roll-in-the-sack with a stranger, anyway. I prefer to know someone before we get naked together.
“What’s with all the old men in here with sticks up their asses?” Hunter laughs as he follows my gaze.
“I know. I’m not looking for a sugar daddy.”
A man walks by with a full three-piece suit and pauses at our pool table.
“Are you real cowboys?” he asks, and I have to hide my smile. The awe in his voice is the same as any buckle bunny, and while I’m sure he’s a fabulous guy, he’s not my type.
My type left me hanging at the park three days ago. So much for finding a connection in alternate places.
Tipping my hat, I grin. “Yes, sir. Just here unwinding after a rodeo.”
“Heavens! A rodeo!” The man’s cheeks flush red and he can’t seem to decide where to look. Which is kind of adorable.
“Yep. As real as the horses we rode in on.” Hunter grabs his belt, drawing attention to his championship belt buckle. It’s been a long time since he was at the top of the standings with his former team-roping partner, Alec. But a buckle earned is still reason to brag, no matter how long ago it was.
The suited man’s eyes light up. “Would you care to join me for a drink?” he asks Hunter directly, but motions to me. “Both of you are welcome.”
“That’s mighty kind of you, sir, but I think we’ll finish our pool game. Thank you for the offer.”
The man nods and glances behind him where several other gentlemen wearing suits sit at a table. The group watches our new friend like they sent their best Romeo over to pick up the cowboys.
“If you change your mind, please join us.”
“We’ll keep that in mind.”
After the man leaves, Hunter leans close and whispers. “Shit. What is that about? Think he’s just wanting a walk on the wild side? Who wears a suit to a bar?”
With a laugh, I line up to take my shot and resume our pool game. “I don’t know, but that’s strange. He’s into you, though. That buckle still works for you.”
My combo shot sinks a ball and Hunter huffs. “Lucky shot. And I don’t need a belt buckle to get laid.”
“I never said you did.”
Another ball goes in, and I grin at Hunter.
“Lucky in pool, but not in love, Jack?”
“That’s a low burn, friend.”
Hunter shrugs and I miss my next shot.
“Truth isn’t it? Didn’t that guy stand you up this week?”
Hunter lines up his shot and sinks a ball as I grab my beer .
“Yeah. But really, is it a ghosted date when he doesn’t even know who I am? I only half expected him to be back.”
That’s a lie. I hoped like fucking hell he’d be back. As soon as he sat at the picnic table mumbling to himself, I was intrigued. With his light brown hair, cute-as-a-button nose, and those lips! The most kissable lips I’ve ever seen. The man still carried himself with a confidence I appreciated, even if he seemed a little down.
Hunter scoffs as he takes a shot and sinks another ball. He shoots a finger gun my way and I roll my eyes.
“I call extreme bullshit. You moped about him not being there for the next three days. You’re such a bleeding heart, man.”
His next shot misses and a flash of disappointment crosses his face as he curses.
“I didn’t mope.” Lining up my cue, I take the shot, sinking a ball and moving around the table. “I lamented the loss of a cute man who doesn’t even know what I look like. I can search for him, but how would he find me?”
“It’s easier to not look for relationships. I don’t know how many times I keep telling you a cum and go is better. Especially when you travel so much for rodeo.”
“Strong relationships can last through that, Hunter.”
My last ball sinks and Hunter scowls. He hates it when he loses.
“Eight ball, off your green stripe and side pocket.”
Just as I’m making my shot, Hunter whistles and says, “Hot damn. Now that’s an ass.”
His distraction doesn’t work and my shot goes in as planned. Hunter doesn’t even notice. He’s staring at the man who just entered the bar. Wearing a very well-fitted pair of dress pants and a button-up, he’s also very overdressed for a honky-tonk place like this.
“Maybe he’s with the group of old rich dudes.”
After ordering at the bar, he turns around and leans his elbows against it as he surveys the room.
“Holy shit,” I breathe. Hunter raises an eyebrow.
“You okay there? He’s hot, but you look like you might throw up.”
That cute little nose and lips. It’s my guy. Park guy who didn’t show up for our date. He still grabs my attention more than anyone I’ve ever met. A slender hand runs through his short hair as his gaze lands on me and Hunter before skipping past us.
“It’s the guy. That’s the guy from the fucking park, Hunter.”
“No shit?” Hunter rakes his gaze over the man again, and I fight the urge to shove him and shout, ‘mine!’ “Good taste, Jack. What are you going to do?”
“I…I don’t know. What should I do?”
Hunter snorts and takes a swallow of beer. “You’re asking me? I don’t even like to know their names, buddy. You’re the tender heart of the bunch.”
My hands are so sweaty I need to wipe them on my pants.
“Okay. I’m going to introduce myself.”
Hunter smacks my back with a little too much force. “If you need a wingman, give me the signal.”
Without another word, he picks up his beer and joins the group of older dudes who invited us over. Knowing Hunter, he’s just looking for free beer and a chance to talk about how great a cowboy he once was. Well, still is. He’s my partner, after all .
“Okay, Jackson. Manifest what you want,” I mutter as I weave through the crowd towards the gorgeous man. “Manifest.”
He’s still waiting at the bar when I arrive and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. What if I screw this up? He might not like what I say. Of course, I need to actually say something first. Where the hell did my manifesting go?
He turns from the bar, drink in hand, and almost spills it on me.
“Sorry, excuse me.”
Oh my god, how cute is he close up!?
Like an idiot, I don’t move. I don’t even speak. What the hell is wrong with me?
Tipping my hat, I squeak, “Have an enjoyable evening.” But he’s already out of hearing range. Seriously? An enjoyable evening? What the actual fuck was that?
The man disappears across the bar, joining a small group of people, and a hand clamps down on my shoulder with a laugh.
“That was more painful than watching you break a barrier early for a no score in a big money event.”
Groaning, I shake off Hunter’s hand.
“Don’t remind me of how awful I am with this stuff. I couldn’t even say hello. No, I had to sound like Batman’s butler. Have an enjoyable evening,” I mimic with a terrible British accent. Hunter chuckles as he steers me out of the bar.
“You can’t be smooth at everything, Jacky. But I found the solution for you.” He passes me a business card and I raise an eyebrow.
“Wild Romance?” Flipping it over, my eyes scan the words and I turn to Hunter. “You think I need a romance coach? ”
“No. Well, not really. I mean, you always get flustered when you want to talk to a guy. I think you’re plenty romantic already.” He stops walking and lays a hand on my arm. “Which makes me want to gag for the record. But I was chatting with the dudes in suits, and it turns out they were here tonight because this Wild Romance guy helped the man propose. It’s a bachelor party, Jack.” Hunter throws his head back and laughs. “I wish I was making this shit up.”
“Why are you laughing at a bachelor party?”
“Because the man swears this guy on the card made it possible.” Hunter taps the card in my hand. “He talked about going for what you want and some shit like that.” He starts walking again and I follow him down the sidewalk towards his truck. “Jackson, the man is probably sixty-five and marrying a thirty-year-old bombshell. He says the sex is amazing.” He looks over at me and holds up a hand. “I nipped that conversation in the bud. No way do I want to hear about an old dude banging. Like, high five brother, but keep it to yourself.”
Reading the back of the card, Hunter’s rambles fade away as I wonder if he’s right. Maybe I could make an appointment and learn how to be more… well, anything better than sounding like a stiff butler. Still doesn’t help me find the guy from the park, though.
Perhaps a few meetings with this guy will prepare me for when I meet him again. Assuming he ever returns to the park.
“…So what do you think?”
“What? Sorry, I wasn’t listening.”
Hunter sighs as we get into his truck .
“I said I’d like to leave for the next rodeo Thursday instead of Friday. We can stay at the place with a hotel and the boarding facility nearby. Then the horses can have a break and we can sleep in actual beds. You in?”
“Absolutely. I prefer beds whenever we can.” Hunter puts the truck in gear and we pass under the streetlights as we head out of downtown and farther away from the beautiful man in the bar.
Flipping the business card over, I read it again.
Wild Romance
Specializing in planning romantic events.
Make the ordinary feel extraordinary.
Riley Benton—owner/operator
Fuck it.
I’ve got nothing to lose.
Riley’s contact info is there, so I email requesting a consult and pay the fee when the window pops up.
“So, we’re winning money next weekend, I hope? It’s a big one.”
Hunter nods, smile gone and full game face in place.
“Yep. You’re breaking records this year, Jackson. I can feel it.”
And that’s why Hunter is my best friend and my hazer. A steer wrestler needs a partner with confidence in their abilities. Hunter cheerleads me like nobody else. He may tease me about my romantic tendencies, but he’s got my back in the ring.
“Here’s to our best season, Hunter.”
He pulls into my driveway and drops me off as close to the house as possible.
“Change your outdoor light, Jackson. It’s been out for weeks.”
“I know. I’ll get to it. See you in the morning.” Before I close the door, I hold up the business card. “Thanks for this, Hunter. If it works out, you’re my best man.”
He rolls his eyes, just as I expected. But I know he’s rooting for me. He’d be there.
“Get out of here with that nonsense.”
After he waits with his lights shining on my door so I can see, he pulls away after I’ve entered my house safely.
After hanging my hat on its peg and leaving my boots on the mat, I absently walk through my home until I reach the bedroom. Tossing the business card on my dresser, I change into a pair of lounge pants and crawl under the covers. Too much time passes as I lie awake thinking about the beautiful man tonight who I couldn’t even speak to properly.
My yoga teacher talks about manifesting a lot. It always helps to put my mind in the right place before rodeos.
Maybe if I try harder and use this Wild Romance guy, I can make it work. I could find the cute park guy again.
Although, I should manifest a good sleep first.