Page 92 of Rough Ride

Both men looked at me.

“Oh,” Johnny said.

Eli scratched the back of his neck. “So you two, uh…”

“We did,” I admitted. “How… how does that make you both feel?”

They looked at each other.

“Kinda jealous,” Eli said with a smirk. “Now I wish I’d been the one to bury my fist into Applecock’s stupid face. I’ve never hadthanks-for-defending-mesex before.”

“If anyone can pierce Sawyer’s armor, it’s a girl like you, Sky Eyes,” Johnny said.

It was a weird compliment to give, but it warmed my heart.

“Just so long as we’re still fooling around.” Johnny pointed back and forth between me and him.

“I have no intention to change anything between us,” I said. “Or us,” I added, glancing at Eli.

“Good,” Eli chimed in. “Because I don’t know about you, but I’m havin’waytoo much fun to stop.” He shook his head. “Fuck. I should’ve punched Appleton.”

“If you had, thenyouwould’ve spent the night in jail and gotten kicked out of the rodeo,” I reminded him.

Eli gave me a smirk like he was already laughing at the punchline. “Yeah, but counter-point: it would’ve feltreallyfucking good.”

The three of us laughed. It felt good to find humor in the situation, just when things seemed the darkest.

“I know a reporter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram,” I told them. “I’ll make some calls and see if they can help us get someattention on Sawyer’s ban. I’ll take off work on Thursday night so we can all talk it over.”

“You sure?” Johnny asked.

“I never take a sick day, and my manager Jessica already told me to take any time I need to recover from last night’s drama. Besides, Thursday’s a slow night. I won’t miss out on many tips.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Johnny said.

Eli glanced at his watch. “You know, I don’t have a practice slot at the arena for another hour. If you want to hang out and blow off some steam…” He winked at me.

God, it was tempting. Even after all the fun I’d had with Sawyer, my sex drive was like a sleeping giant that had been awakened. And the way Eli was smiling at me lustily…

“As much as I want to, I’m actually too sore to do anything today,” I said.

“Too sore…” Eli sighed. “Damnit. He’s all quiet and brooding,andhe has a big dick?”

“Your words,” I said sweetly. “Not mine.”

Eli shook his head at Johnny. “Some guys have all the luck.”

“Not sure I’d call getting kicked out of the rodeoluck,” he replied.

Eli turned back to me and held his flat palms out in front of him, like he was judging size. “Tell me when to stop.” He slowly moved his hands farther apart. “This big?This big?”

I said nothing, but raised an eyebrow at him.

“No way. I’ve seen the size of his boots, so I know you’re jokin’.” Eli squinted at me. “Youarejokin’, right?”

“Focus on recruiting other cowboys into your protest,” I said as I walked away.

Eli asked Johnny, “You’renot bigger than me, are you?”

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