Chapter 15
Xavier
The moment Lucas and I stepped into the diner, I was hit by the scent of deep-fried food. I had to stop and inhale deeply, enjoying the fresh aroma of french fries, chicken strips, and onion rings. It wasn’t fancy, but it’s what Lucas wanted.
“Fuck that smells good,” I groaned. “Like everything I’m not supposed to eat.”
“Really?” I heard a familiar voice shout from behind the bar. I looked over just in time to see Dolly straighten up, a tray of glasses balanced on one hand. “I make some of the best damn food in Texas and it’s chicken nuggets and french fries that get you goin’?”
I just shrugged. “I’m a simple man,” I replied.
She laughed, high and shrill. “If you’re simple, then I’m a kangaroo.”
“She’s never going to like me,” I whispered to Lucas as we stepped up to the bar. “Like ever.”
“Maybe you should try giving her a reason,” he laughed. “Instead of being such an insufferable pain in the ass all the time.”
“But that’s my brand.” Lucas just stared at me. “Alright, fine. I’ll… try.”
“Maybe make sure she gets a lap dance from one of the strippers tonight?” Lucas suggested. “That would cheer up anyone.”
As if on cue, my phone buzzed in my hand. It was a text from the strippers letting me know they were pulling up to the diner.
“Speak of the devil,” I said, pushing myself away from the bar. “You make sure everything is set up with Dolly and I’ll get the strippers settled in. The other guys should be here in a minute.”
“Did everyone RSVP?” Lucas asked.
“Yep,” I nodded.
“Even Marcus?”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Even Marcus.”
Out back I found the male strippers getting out of their van.
One was thin, hairless, and blonde. The Twink.
Another was a little older, probably in his late thirties, with a scruffy face and dark hair under a backwards baseball cap.
That would be Daddy. And the last was a fluffy, but muscular guy who had a full beard and so much chest hair that it hung out of the neck of his t-shirt. That would be the Bear.
“Hey guys,” I called out, putting on my professional voice.
“I’m Xavier, the coordinator. We’re gonna be having the party inside that little diner over there.
” I pointed back toward Dolly’s place. “But I’ve got a little apartment back here for you to relax or change or whatever you need.
We’ve got lots of food and drinks, so don’t be shy about anything you want, alright? ”
Daddy stepped forward, answering for the group. “Thanks for getting everything lined up,” he nodded. “Bachelor parties can be kinda hit or miss.”
“Not this one,” I smiled, letting my confidence show through. “This isn’t my first rodeo, and I like to make sure the people I hire are happy.”
“So, what are we looking at in there?”
I waved for them to follow me to the apartment as I explained.
“A handful of gay men and two older women. There’s a good mix of small town, cowboy, and big city in there, but they’re not really the strip club types.
So don’t feel like you have to make this the performance of your lives.
We’re just keeping things chill and fun.
” I stopped at the door of the apartment, turning to face them.
“But I would like a lap dance for the two ladies in the room if that’s okay. ”
“More than fine,” Daddy nodded.
I turned back to the door, unlocking it and pushing it open. “Well, let me know if you need anything. You can text or just ask. I’ll keep an eye on my phone.”
“When do you want us in there?”
“Let’s give them a half hour to warm up.”
“You got it, boss.”
I left the strippers there and headed back to the diner.
By the time I stepped through the front door again, nearly everyone had arrived.
I saw Logan, Eli, and Dustin chatting at the bar.
Lucas, Rowan, and Hayden were already at the punch bowl pouring themselves drinks.
Meanwhile, Mabel and Dolly were behind the bar getting the food set up for the boys.
Everything was under way. And the only person missing now was Marcus.
I glanced at my phone again, checking the time.
Marcus had confirmed he was coming, but knowing him, he was probably sitting in his truck outside, working up the courage to actually walk through the door.
The man could face down criminals without blinking, but a room full of gay men and male strippers?
That was apparently where Sheriff Marcus Webb drew the line.
I poured myself a drink from the punch bowl.
It was fruity and strong. I tried not to look too obviously like I was waiting for someone.
The last thing I needed was for everyone here to pick up on whatever was happening between Marcus and me.
We’d been careful, keeping things strictly behind locked doors and drawn blinds.
But I was starting to realize that people in Sagebrush were far more observant than I expected.
“Xavier!” Mabel called from behind the bar, waving me over with a wooden spoon. “Come taste this dip and tell me if it needs more salt.”
I made my way through the small crowd, grateful for the distraction. Mabel held out the spoon, and I took a tentative taste of what looked like some kind of cheesy mixture.
“It’s perfect,” I said honestly, savoring the flavor. “You don’t need to change a thing.”
She beamed at me, her weathered face crinkling with pleasure. “Well aren’t you sweet? Dolly, did you hear that? Xavier said my dip is perfect.”
Dolly looked up from where she was arranging chicken wings on a platter, her expression softening slightly. “Of course it is. You make the best spinach dip in three counties, Mabel.”
I seized the opportunity. “Everything looks amazing, Dolly. Really. You’ve outdone yourself.”
She paused, studying me with those sharp eyes of hers. For a moment I thought she was going to say something cutting, but instead she just gave me a small nod. “Well, it’s a special occasion. Lucas deserves a good party before he ties the knot. But it’s kind of you to notice.”
It wasn’t exactly a declaration of friendship, but it was progress. I’d take it.
The door chimed, and my heart did that annoying flutter thing as I turned, expecting to see Marcus. Instead, it was just some delivery guy dropping off more ice. I tried to hide my disappointment as I turned back to my drink.
“Looking for someone?” Lucas asked, appearing at my elbow with a knowing smirk. My best friend was too observant for his own good.
“Just making sure everyone showed up,” I said smoothly. “Professional planner and all that.”
“Mm-hmm.” He didn’t sound convinced, but mercifully he didn’t push it. “So, when do the strippers arrive?”
I checked my phone. “They’re getting set up. Thought we’d let everyone get a little buzzed first before we bring them in.”
“Good idea.” He took a sip of his own drink, surveying the room. “Thanks for doing all this again, Xavier. You’re the best.”
“I know.” I reached out, wrapping an arm around Lucas and pulling him in for a tight hug. “You deserve it. Now go have fun and let me supervise. Get some music started or something.”
Lucas grinned and headed toward the jukebox in the corner, leaving me alone with my thoughts and my increasingly warm drink. I watched him go, then turned my attention back to scanning the room, trying not to make it obvious that I was still waiting for a certain sheriff to make his appearance.
The minutes ticked by. The music started—some upbeat country-pop that had Logan and Eli laughing and attempting what I could only assume was supposed to be dancing.
Dustin was chatting animatedly with Rowan about something, gesturing wildly with his hands.
Even Hayden, usually the one to keep to himself, seemed relaxed and was nursing a beer at the bar with a smile on his face.
I checked my phone again. Still nothing from Marcus.
Maybe he’d changed his mind. Maybe the reality of showing up to a bachelor party with male strippers was too big a step for him. Maybe he was sitting in his truck right now, hands gripping the steering wheel, having a full-blown panic attack about what it would mean if someone saw him here.
I tried to tell myself it didn’t matter. This was just a casual thing between us. No strings, no expectations. If he didn’t show, it didn’t mean anything beyond him being cautious about his reputation. Which was smart, really. Sensible.
So why did I feel so disappointed?
“Alright everyone!” I called out, forcing myself into professional mode. I wasn’t going to let Marcus Webb ruin my best friend’s bachelor party. “The entertainment will be starting in about ten minutes, so make sure you’ve got your drinks topped off and find a good seat!”
A cheer went up from the group, and I saw Mabel actually clap her hands together in excitement. Dolly rolled her eyes, but I caught the hint of a smile on her lips.
I pulled out my phone to text the strippers, letting them know it was almost showtime, when the door chimed again.
This time, it was him.
Marcus stood in the doorway looking like he’d rather be literally anywhere else. He was in civilian clothes—dark jeans and a cream Henley that hugged his chest in a way that made my mouth go dry. His hat was pulled low over his eyes, and he looked around the room like he was expecting an ambush.
Our eyes met across the diner, and I saw something flash in his expression. Relief, maybe. Or happiness. Something that made my chest feel tight.
He made his way through the small crowd, nodding to the guys as he passed. Logan clapped him on the shoulder. Eli said something that made him crack a small smile. But his eyes kept drifting back to me.
“Sheriff,” I said when he finally reached the bar, keeping my voice carefully neutral. “Glad you could make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he said, though the tension in his jaw suggested otherwise. “Lucas is a good friend.”
“He is.” I gestured to the punch bowl. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Just a beer, thanks.” He glanced around the room again, and I could see the nervous energy radiating off him. “So, when does this... entertainment start?”
I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. He was trying so hard to act casual, but I could see right through it. “Any minute now. You should grab a seat.”
He nodded, taking the beer I handed him and finding a spot near the back of the room. Not too close to the action, but not so far away that it would look suspicious. Classic Marcus, always calculating the optics.
I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to the strippers. We’re ready when you are.
The response came almost immediately. On our way.
I made my way to the center of the room, clapping my hands to get everyone’s attention. “Alright gentlemen—and ladies—the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Please give a warm Sagebrush welcome to our entertainment for the evening!”
The lights dimmed, and music started pumping through the speakers—some club mix with a heavy bass that vibrated through the floor. The door to the back room opened, and the three strippers filed in, already moving to the beat.
The reaction was immediate. Mabel let out a whoop that would’ve made a rodeo crowd proud.
Dolly actually fanned herself with a napkin.
Logan and Eli were laughing and cheering, while Dustin looked like he might actually combust from embarrassment on the spot.
Not that it stopped him from staring with his mouth hanging open.
I glanced back at Marcus. He’d gone completely rigid in his seat, his beer frozen halfway to his lips. His face had drained of color, and I could see his throat convulse as he tried to swallow.
The strippers worked the room like professionals, moving from person to person with practiced ease.
The Twink started with Logan, grinding against him while Logan laughed and played along.
Daddy made his way to Mabel, who absolutely lost her mind when he pulled her up for a dance.
Even Dolly was grinning when the Bear approached her.
I watched it all unfold with satisfaction. This was exactly what Lucas had wanted. It was fun, lighthearted, and there was no pressure. Everyone was having a great time.
Everyone except Marcus.
I saw the Bear finish with Dolly and start making his way toward where Marcus was sitting. The sheriff’s eyes went wide, his whole body tensing like he was preparing to bolt. His knuckles were white around his beer bottle, and I could see the panic starting to set in.
The Bear reached him, starting to move his hips in that practiced, sensual way. Marcus’s face went from pale to bright red in seconds. He stood up so abruptly that his chair scraped loudly against the floor, cutting through the music.
“I—” he started, his voice strangled. “I need to—excuse me.”
And then he was moving, pushing past the Bear and heading straight for the door. The music was loud enough that most people probably didn’t notice his hasty exit, too caught up in the performance. But I’d never taken my eyes off him.
I crossed the room to the Bear, stopping only for a moment. “You didn’t do anything wrong,” I said, patting him on the shoulder. “He’s just nervous.”
Then, without waiting for a reply, I rushed through the door out into the cool night air after Marcus.