Page 81 of Burned & Bound

I made a small sound, not sure what I could add to the conversation.

“He asked if I’d be willing to teach after I retire,” he continued. That was the first I’d heard anything about him retiring.

“Are you planning on retiring?”

“I’ve got maybe a few more seasons left in me at best,” he admitted quietly. “It’s just an age thing. I don’t bounce back the way I used to. My agent wanted me to retire after this upcoming season, especially with my current sponsoring issues. People don’t want a thirty-four-year-old gay bull rider when they can get some fresh twenty-year-old that fits their fucking values and draws in more attention.”

“That’s bullshit,” I said. Older or not, Jackson was still one of the best.

“That’s the business. I want to go two or three more years if I can, but I don’t know. I haven’tdecided shit yet.”

“Will you take Beau up on his offer to teach?” I asked. It sounded like a good alternative to keep his career going.

“I can’t. I have the ranch to run.” There was a hint of sadness in his voice—something fleeting and curious. But I didn’t get the chance to dwell on it as we stopped in front of a bustling bar. My heart dropped. I wasn’t ready to sit around in a bar. Jackson must’ve sensed my hesitation because he whispered, “Don’t worry. We ain’t staying. Beau knows that. Just stick close. I’ve got you.”

I trusted him. I just didn’t trust myself.

This was business.I kept that thought in the forefront of my mind as I followed him inside. For mid-day, the bar was active. There was food, drinks, and sports news on random TVs. The smell of greasy food and alcohol filled my lungs, making my stomach turn and my throat ache. My gaze trailed after a waitress and her tray of beer with more longing than I ever wanted to admit out loud.

“Is there anything weirder than walking through a fucking bar carrying bull sperm?” I muttered under my breath. Jackson chuckled but said nothing.

We headed straight out the back door onto the empty patio. I sucked in a breath of fresh air, thankful for the lack of alcohol out here.

“Well, now. Myles and McNamara!” A booming laugh greeted us. “When I heard y’all were back together, I didn’t believe it.”

Beau sat alone at a table with a spread of food and drinks in front of him. He looked every bit of the stereotypical southern businessman that he was from his big belt buckle to his gray cowboy hat that matched his suit. A huge smile took over his face as he stared at us.

“How many fucking people are out there talking about us?” Jackson demanded with a grin. He set the container on the table and crossed his arms.

“The trouble you two shits caused was damn near as legendary as your career,” Beau said. “I got to tell you, boys, it’s impressive you two haven’t landed your asses in jail yet.”

One of us hadn’t.I kept that piece of information to myself.

“Please,” Jackson scoffed. “Y’all are so damn dramatic. We weren’t that bad.”

“You keep tellin’ yourself that,” he replied. His stare leveled on me, and I shoved my hands in my pockets, squaring off my shoulders as he sized me up. “And you? How you doin’, West?”

“I’m doing all right.” I kept it short and simple.

“The last time I saw you, you were a scrawny thing,” he commented.Was I?When the fuck had I met him? I could recall my dad talking about him but nothing else. “You’re lookin’ good. Still got a thing for those horses?”

“Yes, Sir,” I said with a slight nod.

“You were always real damn good with those horses,” Beau continued. There was a gleam in his eye that made me uncomfortable. “People used to say you had the magic touch.”

”Oh, come on now, Beau,” Jackson interrupted. “You can’t capitalize on everything and everyone.”

”But I can try.” He chuckled. Grabbing his napkin, he wiped his hands as he leaned forward in his seat. “You decide to take me up on that offer yet, Myles? The bull riders you could turn out would be legendary. Your name on my school would draw in the best of the upcomin’ best. Boys would be linin’ up to be trained by Jackson fuckin’ Myles.”

Jackson snorted as if he didn’t believe a word Beau had to say.

“You’ll do just fine without me, Abernathy,” he said. “That right there’s all you need from me.”

“I’ll convince you one day,” Beau replied instead. “Maybe I’ll convince West over here to come train me some prime racin’ horses while I’m at it.”

“Nah, I’m good where I’m at,” I told him. I had no interest in being a part of something like that.

“One day.” He said the words like a promise—like he didn’t believe a damn thing either of us said. “You boys have a good day now. We’ll be in touch, Myles. Our business ain’t done yet. I’ll be watchin’ you this season.”

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