Page 9 of Bull Riders Don't Swoon

Once inside Simon’s townhouse, every moan and harsh breath are amplified by the emptiness of the space. A single chair remains in the living room with a small TV on the floor, and that’s it. Clothes come off, and Jamieson is naked with Simon, while I’m still in shock that I’ve got myself into this situation. But the pull to be naked with Jamieson is greater than the need to back out.

Simon multi-tasks and undresses me while making out with Jamieson.

“I don’t really want rug burn.” He chuckles and takes our hands, pulling us down the hallway. “Let’s move this to the bedroom.”

I stand back in the bedroom doorway, watching the two of them kiss and grope, unable to bring myself closer and touch what I’ve always wanted. My dick aches being this close, but this isn’t the type of sex I want. Jamieson, yes, but not like this.

Simon falls onto his bed and beckons me closer.

“Come on, Griff. I promise this is the best sex. Get your tight ass over here.”

“You heard him, Griff. Come on. Join us.”

I should be happy that this is how our university days will end. An exciting romp with a beautiful man shared between us. But it’s not my style.

Simon is a filthy talker. He’s painting pictures with his words that almost make me blush. A wave of insecurity slams into me, and I can’t stop it. This isn’t what I want. I don’t want to share Jamieson, and I can’t stand watching another person make him moan like that.

Fuck!

Even though my dick throbs watching the scene in front of me, I slip out the bedroom door and find my clothes on the floor in the empty living room. After pulling them on, I quietly slip out and hope like hell Jamieson doesn’t come after me.

What was I thinking?

I hoped to end the evening with a deep conversation with my closest friend, sharing intimate details and secrets that I guard closely. Secrets I don’t share with strange men like Simon.

So much for ending our year on a positive note.

four

Jamieson

Present day

“I can’t believe you’re really doing this. It won’t be the same without you.”

My friend Jackson laughs as he pulls me into a rib-cracking hug.

“I’ll be around for a few rodeos this year, yet. I’m just easing myself out of it and into a new career. I’m over forty, J. I may be fit, but I need to think ahead.” One of his dogs races by us in the yard, chasing after a ball. “I want to be here for the dogs and Riley, too. This is what I’ve always wanted.”

Watching the contentment ooze off Jackson takes the sting away. I’ll miss him on our rodeo trips, but it’s hard to not be happy about his new life plans.

“Hey, you!” Riley, Jackson’s boyfriend, joins us and offers Jackson a glass of iced tea with a kiss. Jackson beams as bright as a Broadway marquee and grabs Riley’s hand.

“Hey, yourself. Do you need me to start up the barbeque yet?”

“No, it looks like Gabe has that under control.”

The three of us turn towards the grill and, sure enough, Riley’s best friend, Gabe, has an assembly line set up and seems to enjoy the task.

“So, Jamieson, is this your year? Jackson thinks it could be your turn to make the finals.” Riley leans into Jackson, giving him a side hug and they’re too damn cute.

“Well…I don’t know. I mean, it’s always possible. I’ve been training hard over the winter. My fitness is prime, but you never know what bulls you might draw. That’s the wild card in this business.”

“True, but don’t discount your talent, J.” Jackson bends to scratch the beagle’s ears before throwing the slobbery ball across the yard that the dog dropped at his feet. “Every athlete peaks and my gut says this is your time. You’ve even bulked up. Your strength and endurance, your technique…I’ve never seen you this good.”

Jackson’s words ease the uncertainty in my brain. I know what he says is true, but I’ve never been one to brag about my achievements. Heck, I don’t even like to acknowledge when I’m mediocre. It always feels icky to me, but I have no issue talking up the attributes of my friends.

“I owe it to you and all your help in the gym this past winter. You inspire me.”

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