Page 66 of Bull Riders Don't Swoon

“Tell them the good news, Gabe. Quit stalling.” Riley pokes Gabe’s shoulder behind Hunter, and we all turn our attention to Gabe, who leans forward and places his now empty mug on the table.

“As you all know, I miss Riley. He’s my best friend and I hate being in the city without him. Visiting him here has made mereevaluate my life goals.” Gabe puffs a huge breath. “I’ve left my law office, and I purchased a small law practice here. I’m moving here permanently.”

Riley is absolutely thrilled and kisses Jackson as he laughs. His two best men will now be in the same town, and he could only be more excited if he were a kid on Christmas morning.

Griff and I stand to offer Gabe a handshake and congrats, which he accepts with a genuine smile.

Hunter grunts.

“Have you found a place to stay? Riley, is your place available?”

He shakes his head. “No, I rented it last month to my assistant, which works for both of us since we’ve been finishing part of the floor for an office now that we have condo approval for it.”

Hunter finally feels the weight of my stare and shakes his head. After all Griff has shown me the past few weeks, and what I’ve learned from this group of men I call friends, I can’t believe he’d remain quiet.

He’s gonna kill me, but I’m saying it, anyway.

“Don’t you have an extra room or two? You could rent to Gabe while he finds a place of his own? There aren’t a lot of quality properties for sale right now, and I’m sure Gabe would prefer to take his time before he buys.”

Jackson tilts his head in thought. “He’s right, Hunter. And he’s an extra set of hands to look after the place if we go to a rodeo.”

Hunter glares the sharpest of knives my way, but I don’t care. If he won’t speak up to take something that could help him, I will. It might not help him keep the ranch in the end, but it’s still money to pay some bills.

“He wouldn’t know what end of the horse to feed,” Hunter grumbles, and Gabe just smiles.

“Sounds like you could teach me since you’re so good at knowing everything then.”

“I’m very particular about how I keep house. You can’t just leave stuff everywhere.”

“Okay. I’ll keep everything in my room.”

“No overnight guests.”

“Not a problem.”

“You pay for your own groceries.”

“I don’t expect you to feed me.”

Hunter’s jaw clenches and unclenches as we watch their exchange like a tennis match.

“I’m difficult to live with.” All of us laugh, and Hunter throws his hands in the air. “I’m being honest!”

“If you’re being honest, then tell me why you don’t want to rent to me so badly.”

If I had a bag of popcorn right now, it would be perfect because there’s something going on here, and I’m done with secrets. Griff’s were enough to break me. I don’t want Hunter to be like Griff and carry all his burdens alone.

“I like my space.” He raises a hand when I open my mouth. “I’ll try it to keep these three quiet, but it’s short-term, and we agree on a price after you see the place.”

Gabe beams the brightest smile and holds out a hand.

“You’ve got a deal.”

Hunter shakes Gabe’s hand once before stalking off to the counter, complaining about his cheesecake taking too long.

“What the fuck was that about?” Griff asks.

Gabe relaxes back into his spot, a pleased smile on his face.

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