50 - Sophie
50
Sophie
We drank, and danced, and drank some more. I was having a great time being on this side of the bar, a sloppy customer who was enjoying herself, rather than being the bartender who had to deal with people like me.
Liz stuck out her tongue at me when I told her I was having a great time.
Johnny and I tried to show Eli how to dance, but he looked more awkward and uncoordinated after every suggestion we made. “I don’t know how someone with such great musical talent can have zero rhythm on the dance floor,” I said.
“I’m tryin’ my best!” Eli replied, tripping over his boot and quickly jumping back into his place on the line of dancers. “I’m havin’ fun, though. That’s the most important part, right?”
“Sure it is, buddy,” Johnny replied.
Sawyer claimed he didn’t dance, but after some coaxing and teasing—and a few more glasses of whiskey—even he joined us on the dance floor. His skill was somewhere between Johnny and Eli, though he looked extremely self-conscious about it.
Eventually, my feet were too sore to keep dancing. The four of us found a quieter spot in the corner of the bar where we could hear each other over the music.
“Got any plans for all that prize money?” Sawyer asked Johnny.
“That’s right!” I said. “Bull Riding has the biggest purse, right?”
“A million bucks!” Eli exclaimed. “Hell, I’m happy winning a hundred grand for comin’ in third. Can’t imagine what I’d do with seven figures.”
“A million dollars on paper,” Johnny clarified. “I have to split it with my ranch, who sponsored me. Then there’s taxes. By the time all is said and done, I’ll only have three hundred grand.”
“Oh, that’s all,” Eli said, winking at me. “ Only three hundred grand.”
“If I win a few more events at Houston, maybe I’ll be able to afford a ranch of my own,” Johnny said wistfully. “Don’t want to count my cattle before they’re raised, though.”
“I’ll throw my cash into the pot,” Eli said. “It ain’t much, but I’d help you start your own ranch.”
“You’re drunk,” Johnny said.
“Well, yeah!” Eli replied with a grin. “Don’t know what that has to do with anything.”
“I appreciate your offer, but we’re nowhere close to affording even the most run-down of ranches,” Johnny said.
“Even if you win all the events at Houston in a few weeks?” I asked.
Johnny shook his head. “I’d have to win all the events at Houston, then a few more at Denver and Fort Worth next year. Real estate hasn’t exactly gotten cheaper in the past few years.”
“Well, I think we’d make a good team. If we can share a woman, we can share a ranch.” His wink was sloppier than usual, but it still made me smile.
“Was thinking about that,” Sawyer said slowly. He gestured with his glass of whiskey. “The hell are the four of us supposed to do?”
“About what?” Johnny asked.
Sawyer’s gaze settled on me. “About Sophie. Seems that we all like her. A lot.”
Johnny nodded. “Your assumption is correct.”
I swallowed the bile that was stinging the back of my throat. I had been avoiding this subject, but now it was here. And I had no idea what to say to them. If they made me choose between them…
“I don’t see why we have to do anythin’,” Eli said. “We all like her. She likes us. What’s the problem?”
“That’s a short-term mindset,” Sawyer rumbled. “What about a week from now? A month?”
“Since when did the infamous Sawyer Easton start planning ahead so much?” Johnny asked.
Sawyer stared at me. “It’s a recent development. But now I very much care about the future.”
I felt my stomach tighten happily. He wanted to be with me .
“Y’all are plannin’ too much,” Eli cut in. “Let’s just see how things shake out. We’ll worry about the long-term stuff when we come to it. I’ve got far more pressing matters occupyin’ my mind right now.”
“Houston?” I asked.
Eli shook his head. “I’m still wonderin’ about the size of Sawyer’s rope and tackle. ”
Sawyer snorted.
“I’m bein’ serious!” Eli insisted. “Johnny and I’ve seen each other’s junk. It’s only fair that we know what you’re workin’ with. Otherwise I’m gonna feel inadequate.”
“Seems like you don’t need my help to feel inadequate,” Sawyer teased.
“C’mon. Gimme a hint.”
“No.”
Eli moved next to Sawyer and placed his foot alongside the other man’s. “Ah hah! We’ve got the same boot size!” He pumped his fist and grinned at all of us.
“That’s not always accurate,” I said casually.
“Sure it is! Everyone knows that…” Eli trailed off. “Aw, man. Is it really not accurate?”
I kissed him on the cheek. “I wouldn’t think about it too hard.”
“Well, now, you say that. But it just makes me want to think about it even harder.” He turned to Sawyer. “Come on. What’s a little dick measuring among friends?”
“We aren’t friends,” Sawyer replied.
“Yes we are!” Eli exclaimed happily. He threw an arm around Sawyer’s shoulder. “You called us friends when you saved us from Salmon’s henchmen.”
“I was using the word loosely,” Sawyer grumbled.
“Too bad. You’re my friend.” Eli patted him on the belly. “Even if you don’t want to admit it.”
He started patting lower, and Sawyer snatched his wrist as quick as a rattlesnake striking. “Are you trying to grab my dick?”
“I need to know!”
Sawyer’s phone rang. He glared at Eli for a moment longer, then stepped aside to take the call. Eli quickly moved into the space where he’d been standing, and put his boot alongside Johnny’s.
“You’ve already done this with me,” Johnny reminded him.
“It’s accurate when it comes to us,” Eli argued, pointing down at his boots. “Right?”
I only shrugged.
“Aww. You’re killin’ me!”
“I already told you that Sawyer isn’t small.”
Eli rolled his head and groaned. “I’m gonna post up in the bathroom. Wait for Sawyer to drain the snake, then take a peek over the urinal stall.”
“What if he’s a grower,” Johnny suggested. “And not a show-er?”
Eli’s face drooped.
I squeezed his firm butt through his jeans. “You’re plenty big. And you know how to use it.”
“Does Sawyer know how to use it?” he asked.
I smiled. “Maybe.”
Eli groaned some more.
Sawyer ended his phone call and rejoined us. “What was that about?” Johnny asked. “It looked serious.”
“You look like you just got hit by a train,” Eli said, concern spreading across his face. “Was it bad?”
“No. Not bad.” Sawyer furrowed his brow in thought. “I don’t want to jinx it, but I think I have the rest of the cash you need to buy that ranch.”