Page 28 of Rust and Stardust

For the first time it dawned on me how much Logan was risking, how much he was willing to sacrifice to keep the both of us in New York with a job worth having. Both of us had been dreaming for years of living in the big city and now that we finally had that dream, we didn’t want to give it up. Not to mention, a significant promotion could lead to better job opportunities at bigger and better companies.This one shady deal could be our ticket to a joyful and prosperous future with the New York elite.

The only thing standing in my way was my crush on a cowboy that I barely knew.

I let out a deep sigh, my shoulders slumping as the weight of the situation bore down on me. “You're right,” I admitted reluctantly. “I'm being stupid. We can't risk everything for... for this.”

Logan's expression softened, and he sat down next to me on the bed. “I'm sorry, man. I know it sucks. But we've got to think about our future here. This job could get us everything we’ve ever wanted and then some. That’s gotta be worth a little sacrifice, right?”

I nodded, trying to push thoughts of Beau's sun-kissed skin and gentle blue eyes out of my mind. “So, what do we do now?”

“We stick to the plan,” Logan said firmly. “We get what we came for, and we get out of here. No more distractions.”

As much as it pained me, I knew he was right. We had a job to do, and I couldn't let my feelings for Beau jeopardize our success. But that also meant I’d have to deceive him and now that I was already in his good graces, it would be all too easy. It almost made me sick to think about.

I nodded solemnly, my heart heavy with the weight of what I had to do. “Alright,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I'll do it. But... I… I just need a moment to process all of this.”

Logan gave me a sympathetic pat on the shoulder before standing up. “Take all the time you need. I'll be downstairs if you want to talk.” With that, he left the room, closing the door to our shared room softly behind him.

As soon as I was alone, I collapsed back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling fan spinning lazily above me. The events of the past few days played through my mind like a bittersweet montage - Beau's shy smile when we first met, the electricity that sparked between us when he held me in his arms after saving me, the way his blue eyes lit up when I kissed him the first time.

And then there was tonight. The time we’d spenttogether at the fair was beautiful, more so that I could’ve possibly imagined. He’d shown me all the best food spots, we went on rides together, and his family treated me like I was one of their own. Of course, there was that moment where he almost lost his cowboy hat on the tilt-a-whirl and I caught it just in time, jamming it on my own head. He just laughed, telling me it looked good on me. I’d never felt so amazing.

Our heated moments in the truck before the fair came back as well. Beau had not only given into my touch, but he’d let me be his first experience with another man. It was just a blowjob, but for some reason it made me feel… special. And the fact that he’d returned the favor, making sure I was satisfied as well. That said so much about what it might be like to date him… to spend a life with him.

But all that was gone now. It had to be.

I closed my eyes, trying to push away the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. I couldn't afford to dwell on what might have been. There was too much at stake, too much I'd worked too hard for to lose now.

With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself up off the bed and walked over to the window. The Texas night stretched out before me, stars twinkling in the vast expanse of sky. Somewhere out there, Beau was probably getting ready for bed, unaware of the betrayal I was planning. A betrayal he didn’t deserve.

My stomach churned with guilt. How could I do this to him? To his family? To this entire town that had welcomed me with open arms?

But then I thought about New York. About the life I'd worked so hard to build there. About the future that Logan and I had dreamed of for so long. Could I really throw all that away for a man I'd only known for a handful of days?

I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, closing my eyes once more. I stood there for a long moment, my breath fogging the window as I wrestled with my conscience. The weight of my decision pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket. With trembling hands, I pulled it out and saw a text from Beau. I’d completely forgotten I’d given him my phone number before we left the fair.

Beau: Hey city boy. Can't stop thinkin' about you. Sweet dreams.

My heart clenched. I could almost hear his deep, drawling voice saying the words. I imagined his shy smile as he typed out the message, probably blushing as he hit send.

Before I could stop myself, I typed back.

Me: You too, cowboy. See you tomorrow?

His reply came almost instantly.

Beau: Wouldn't miss it for the world.

I stared at the screen, my vision blurring with unshed tears. How could I go through with this?

But I had to. And that was all there was to it.

Chapter 12

Beau

Ifound Lucas sitting next to me once more in my rusty truck as we drove out of town for the second night in a row. Except this time, we weren’t going to the fair. I had something better in mind, a place where we could be alone and get to know one another a little better. Someplace I wouldn’t have to worry about my family or neighbors finding us.

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