Page 13 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

“Thank you so much for the invite, Neill. I’ll do my best to be there.”

“Of course. I’ll let you take care of your horse. Enjoy the rest of the evening.” He turns to walk away but stops. “And congrats again on the win tonight.”

“Thank you!”

Leading Lady out back to where Hunter has his truck and horse trailer, I stuff the invite into my pocket.

Hunter’s horse is already tied and munching her dinner. He steps over and helps me unsaddle Lady. “How do you feel about joining the guys at the bar later tonight? Celebrate your big win?”

“You’re part of the win too, you know. Just because I do the wrestling part doesn’t mean you’re not important.”

Hunter pauses and his gaze meets mine quickly before he mutters a gruff, “Thanks.” He doesn’t like being acknowledged for anything good, but he lets me get away with it. It took us years of friendship and practice to gain that privilege, though.

“Yeah, I suppose I could go out for a bit. Not too late, though.”

Hunter snort-laughs. “I know, gramps. I’ll get you home at a decent time.”

Shooting the middle finger at him, I continue brushing out Lady as she enjoys her evening snack. As much as Hunter and the others tease me, they also respect my desire to not stay out all night. Or drink too much. It’s never been my scene. When I first met our group of friends, I was hesitant to share my homebody tendencies. But our distinct personalities complement each other, and I’m never made to feel uncomfortable about not following the party crowd. Instead, I’m like the cool dad you can call when you need a sober ride home.

After we trailer our horses, Hunter drives us to the facility where we can house them in a comfortable barn stall for the night. We could drive the five hours straight home, but when we have this available, we both like to take it and get a decent sleep in the nearby hotel before the drive back.

After checking into our shared hotel room with two queen beds, we take turns cleaning up. Hunter plays a country music playlist and sings off-key in the shower while I reward myself with a bag of potato chips.

I wish it was hummus though.

And I wish I was still with Riley. It’s only been three days since we first formally met. I felt like I might throw up when he offered me his hand and a beautiful smile. Thankfully, I didn’t and stuck to quoting weird food facts instead. Which was only slightly less awkward.

I was running through my brain about how to ask him for his number—and sound mostly normal doing it—when Cameron, my now ex-business partner, bellowed for me and knocked my train of thought into the next station. I didn’t get a number, but at least I can meet him again on Wednesday.

“What’s got you grinning like that? A bag of chips can’t be that good.”

Hunter exits the bathroom with a billow of steam. He takes the longest and hottest showers of anyone I’ve ever met. But at least he stopped singing.

“Remember the guy from the park? The one at the bar who I couldn’t even squeak a hello to? He showed up this week.”

Hunter pauses toweling his hair and raises an eyebrow. “And?”

“He brought lunch for both of us and hoped I’d still be there.” A breathy sigh slips out and Hunter snorts.

“Good god, Jackson. You don’t even know his name and you have hearts in your eyes.”

“I got his name!” Folding up the chip bag, I toss it on the coffee table while Hunter gets dressed. Sometimes I don’t know how much to share with Hunter. He’s my best friend, but he’s such a cynic when we talk about relationships or love.

“And are you going to share it?”

Hunter pulls a clean T-shirt on and turns back to me.

“I don’t know if I should. You’re already teasing me, and I haven’t even told you what happened.”

Hunter stares me down, and I wait him out. Do I want to gush to someone about Riley? Fuck yes, I do. But not if they don’t share my excitement. I love Hunter. He’s my rodeo partner and closest friend. If I’m going to share with him, I need him in my corner.

Hunter sighs and sits on the edge of his bed. He chews his lips before finally speaking.

“Look, I know I tease you a lot, and most people think I’m an asshole. But…and if you repeat any of this to anyone, I will never forgive you,” He mumbles under his breath before meeting my gaze. “Someday I’d like to have a partner who gives good hugs. Not just quick ones, either. A hug where it feels like they’re the glue to hold you together and you never want to let go. One day I’d like that.”

He dips his head my way. A signal it’s all he wants to share right now, but it’s a big one.

“Are you sure there’s nothing you want to talk about? That’s…a big reveal.”

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