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“Damn girl,” I say nodding my head at her in approval. “When you put your mind to it, you get shit done. I didn’t think you’d find a real cowboy in this town, but looks like you did.”

She looks at me, a sly grin on her face. “Well… he’s cute. That’s for sure. I did get his number, so we’ll see.”

I’m startled when I hear a familiar voice all the way across the bar over the noise of the crowd.

“Bull shit dude, I totally could.” Ugh. It’s Collin.

“Come on, Lizzy. Let’s go check on them. They found theirold friend.”

Sure enough, as we walk to the other side of the main room by the stairs going down to the bathroom, we find Collin and Tanner in front of a large glass display case.

Since we’ve been old enough to drink and first came here, Tanner and Collin have mocked this taxidermied bear standing on its hind legs in the display case. The legend, well actually verified truth, is that a hunting guide came across this bear unexpectedly and was attacked. In the ensuing struggle, he managed to kill the bear with his bare hands.

So every time we’ve been in this bar over the last decade, Collin and Tanner inevitably insist that they could have killed it withtheirbare hands, like the story goes. It’s not the biggest Grizzly bear, standing just a bit taller than me, but for fucks sake, it’s a god damn Grizzly bear.

Now Collin, I have my doubts. Sorry, big bro. But, Tanner? Woof, I’ve seen that man’s body and the strength within it. I’m not putting anything out of his abilities.

“Um, is this yourold friend?” Lizzy asks with a confused look, bringing my attention back to the spectacle in front of me.

“Well, more like frenemy,” Collin says. “I still think I could take it.”

“No way, dude,” Tanner says, punching Collin in the shoulder, “you’re too small. I bet I could though. I could totally take down Little Bitch Bear.”

“See, Lizzy,” I interrupt, “they’ve been arguing for years, insisting that they could kill this bear with their bare hands.”

“Really?” she asks, eyeing Tanner now. “I’d watch that fight.”

“Whatever, V. I still think I could take it,” Collin says. “It’s still just Little Bitch Bear.”

As I stand here, watching Tanner and Collin continue to carry out this insane argument, I can’t help but smile and feel a familiar sense of joy watching this scene.

Collin is happy, enjoying the night out with his best friend. Lizzy manifested herself a cowboy, wherever that ends up going. And Tanner…

Tanner continues to surprise me. One second he’s his old boyish, confident self with Collin, convinced he could kill Little Bitch Bear. The same Tanner that gave me an unexpected earth shattering orgasm on a gondola. The Tanner that has shown little glimpses of vulnerability. The same Tanner that puts me at ease, letting me feel like the best version of myself I’ve been in ages.

Oh. Fuck.

Am I… falling in love with Tanner?

Chapter 29

Veronica

Twin Powers

After leaving the bar, our newly bonded posse walks across Cache Street to the town square. Lizzy is still enamored with the charm of downtown Jackson, insisting on seeing all of the old western storefronts and wooden boardwalks. The scene is made all the more beautiful by the sparkling white Christmas lights wrapped around the trees and elk antler arches in the town square. A steady snowfall completes the picturesque evening.

Lizzy and Collin lead the way, with Collin in much better shape than the last time he left a bar. Even after the tour on Friday, she still wants the full history lesson of downtown Jackson.

They’ve become fast friends, a wonderful platonic dynamic duo. Walking behind them, I can just hear Lizzy asking Collin if he wants to come out to Aspen Valley with us in February. I’m still not sure what to make of them though. Their sarcastic,snarky personalities seem to be melding into my own personal bully, always ready to taunt or tease me.

“So Lizzy, you think I could take that bear or are you like V?” Collin asks her, holding his fists up and flexing his arms.

“I don’t know, it’s a pretty small bear. But V’s right, it’s still a fucking bear,” she guffaws before taking a sip of her beer she smuggled out of the bar.

“Ugh. You guys suck,” Collin scoffs.

“Maybe you should train a little harder in the gym, bro. Put those personal trainer skills to use on yourself,” Tanner says. “Pack on a few pounds of muscle and you might finally convince me you could take down Little Bitch Bear.”

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