Page 2 of Stirring Up Trouble
I looked around to see where Sean might be. The little guy was usually attached to Atticus when I came by.
“He’s napping upstairs.” Before he could explain further, Beau snuck up from behind and wrapped me in a tight hug.
His partner Jackson tugged him free before he could cut off my air supply. I was a decently strong guy — had to be when working with large animals. Still, I couldn’t go head-to-head with a few of these men. Their muscles had muscles, even if it didn’t always look that way. Being wrapped up in them reminded me I needed to get a workout in later if I wanted to keep my own physique less ‘office worker sedentary’ and more ‘check out these abs’.
“Don’t attack him,” Jackson told Beau. The other man stuck his tongue out, then immediately cuddled his boyfriend. I laughed at them as I reached my hand out to shake Jackson’s.
“Thanks for the save.”
“Not a problem. This one gets excited far too easily.”
The rest of the crew gave a mix of handshakes and hugs as they greeted me. Bobby Allen was the only one missing, but that was no surprise considering how that man was about his horses. He’d been out to help at the clinic more than once when someone showed up with one that needed a special touch. I’d taken to calling him a horse whisperer in my head.
And his ability to calm wasn’t limited to animals. His partner Elton had shown up on the ranch bruised and fighting a dark past. From how I heard it, Bobby Allen was smitten from the get-go. He did everything in his power to give the other man a safe space to heal. The pair fell in love along the way too, which is just the cutest fucking thing ever in my opinion.
When would it be my turn? How had I missed the love train all those around me seemed to have boarded? Did I even have a chance at finding happiness anymore?
Elton’s phone went off as he was explaining there was an ornery new colt Bobby Allen had been trying to wrangle. From the smile on his face, I immediately knew who had texted him.
“He says he’s on his way,” Elton told us after replying to whatever Bobby Allen had sent him.
Griffin appeared then with two beers in hand. “Sorry it took a minute. Got stopped by an adorable mini-Jackson inside. Kiddo wanted to talk my head off about the book he’s reading.”
“Hey! We support learning in this house,” Beau declared.
“I’m not saying it’s bad. Just worried Robin was thinking I’d bailed and thrown him to the wolves. He’s here to relax, not get swarmed.”
Griffin made a show of looking at the group and how they’d surrounded me. They all took a large step back as I laughed.
“You’re fine. I’m not bothered.” I motioned around me. “My stuff isn’t going to get worse because of this. You don’t have to worry about that.”
At my encouragement, the guys all sighed as if relieved. We moved the party inside at Harlan’s insistence that he needed to check the food. “You’re welcome to stay for a plate,” he told me.
I smiled brightly. “I’d love to stay.”
“Kiss ass.” The words were said around a cough. I knew it had to come from one of the guys behind me. Instead of looking to see who, I flipped them all off.
There were noises of frustration at my choice and a few laughs. My mood was improving with each minute that passed.
Maybe I should stop worrying about getting laid and just spend time with friends. Could it be the intimacy I’m craving is something I can find with the guys rather than a one-night stand? Maybe I needed to stop trying to get my dick wet and focus more on connecting in a different way.
It was definitely something to consider.
“So tell us what has you troubled,” Corey demanded as soon as we all got settled in the living room. Considering he was usually Mr. Happy Go Lucky, I knew my mood was more obviousthan ever. If Corey wanted to problem solve rather than make a joke, then it was dire.
Jackson sent his son to the back porch to read in case the conversation turned to adult related topics. I appreciated the thought because this was definitely not kid approved.
Sighing, I decided to be honest with them. There was no point in pretending I was fine.
“I can’t get laid.”
The room went silent before Ashley, Corey’s partner, spoke up. “Do you want us to set you up with someone? Would that help?”
I shook my head. “It’s not a meeting people thing. The women are there. The desire is not.”
“Ahhhh,” they collectively made a noise of understanding.
“Yeah, exactly. It’s really fucked up. I’ve never had this issue before. And I know it’s TMI. Sorry about that.”
