Page 11 of Throw Down

Nate frowned and his brows furrowed.He was obviously having trouble cobbling together an explanation that wasn't completely lame.“Tucker’s not exactly gay. He was just…waiting for me.”

It would have sounded ridiculous coming from anyone else.But it was a simple fact when Nate said it.Right up there with gravity. Every morning, Nate opened his eyes with the rock-solid certainty that he was the most important thing in Tucker's life.It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Tucker would rip out his own heart and serve it on a platter if Nate asked.

Sometimes, when the world had gone quiet and there were no ready distractions, Briar wondered what it felt like to be loved like that.

He hid his discomfort by grabbing a wad of paper towels from the wall dispenser and blowing his stuffy nose.

“Maybe someone out there is waiting for me,” he muttered, but it sounded so ridiculous that he immediately laughed out loud.

“Not Derek Owens,” Nate said sternly.

“I know.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know.”

He tried to squeeze past, but Nate caught him by the bicep.His expression was grim. “I mean it, Briar.Remember how worried you were about someone jumping you when you first moved here?He’s the type that would do it.”

“Didn’t his brother just come out?” Briar asked, aghast."West has been living with Michael Whittaker for months."

“I don’t think that would stop him.” Nate ducked his head and scrubbed at the back of his neck, obviously uncomfortable with theconversation.“Look, I know better than most how dangerous it is to believe gossip, and I don’t know the guy all thatwell.But it's just common sense. You’re obviously the antithesis of everything a man like Derek Owens standsfor.You knowthat.”

Briar’s eyesnarrowed.

“Don’t get that look,” Natewarned.“I’m saying this for your owngood.”

His eyes narrowed further, and his jawclenched. “Sure,” he saidtightly.

Nate recognized that tone, and his expressiontwisted.“That wasn’t a dare,Briar.”

“Of course not.” Briar gave him a dismissive pat on the arm before brushing pasthim.“I’ll load the truck,” he called cheerfully over hisshoulder.“That should keep me out of trouble for a good fifteenminutes.”

He wasn’t sure, but he thought he heard Nate mutter something under hisbreath.It sounded an awful lot like, “Don’t bet onit.”

Chapter Five

DEREK

Derek’s phone chimed, but he silenced it and took another swig of coffee. It was the end of a long day dealing with other people’s problems, and his patience was at an all-time low.

Besides, he recognized the number of the animal clinic and he had nothing to say to them.Nate Silva had established himself around town as a damned good veterinarian, and that wasn't easy to do in a ranching community.Derek trusted him to take care of his girl.

Except Sabbath wasn’t his girl anymore.Like everyone else in his life, she needed more than he could give.Dragging her along to work every day had nearly killed her. Besides, he had no business hanging onto something so sweet.She deserved someone affectionate, someone who never yelled and would happily cuddle up to her at the end of the day.Someone like that little vet tech with the bright smile.It was easy to imagine Sabbath sleeping at the foot of his bed, curled up in the crook behind his knees.Something pinched deep inside Derek's chest whenever he imagined it, but he couldn't pry the image loose no matter how hard he tried.

“If you keep making that face, one day your ugly mug is going to stick that way." His brother James slid onto a stool beside him at the deli counter and pretended to examine his face.Then he grinned. “Aw, shit. Too late.”

Derek ignored him and reached for his wallet, gesturing for the waitress to fill his thermos with fresh coffee.

“Thanks, Miranda,” he said, sliding a five across the counter.

“Any time, sugar.” She pocketed the cash with a flirty wink.“It’s the last pot anyway. Too late in the day to brew a new one.”

“Hang on a second, Miranda.” James grabbed a menu and gave it a quick perusal.“Get me an iced tea and one of those new citrus buns, will you?He’s paying.”

Miranda looked sideways at Derek, but he just nodded and forked over an extra ten before returning his wallet to his back pocket.He leaned one hip against the counter, watching as his brother planted the first sugary forkful in his gob.

“What are you doing in town this late?” he asked.

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