Page 92 of Cowboy Seeks Husband
Chapter 16
“The contract saysif he leaves before the end of week four, he doesn’t get a penny,” Andy said, slowly flipping through the pages of the contract. “Though he did have a clause stating that he could leave for his mother’s illness at any time without actual penalty. That’s not the same as paying him the per-week fee.”
“I don’t fucking believe you!” Walker yelled, not caring who could hear. “You heartless bastard.”
Andy wiped a hand over his face and grimaced. “Them’s the rules, cowboy. I can’t just go around breaking contracts or they lose their power.”
Walker stared at him. “What about the power of some human grace and kindness?”
“Look, this was all pre-agreed.”
“But Roan was here for that money.”
“Right. Just like Chad and Ben and even you, for fuck’s sake.” Andy’s brow rose, and he nodded toward where Ben hovered with an anguished expression. “Though I think Ben’s been here for a bit more the last few weeks, haven’t you, babe?”
“And what’s Ben here for, exactly?” Walker snapped.
“I’m in love with Roan.”
Walker spun on his heels. Ben stood there with his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans, white T-shirt stretched tight over his broad chest.
“What did you say?” Walker asked very quietly.
“Didn’t mean to fall in love with him, but it happened. I hoped I’d be a soft place for him to land in the end. But it doesn’t matter now. Because you’re in love with him too. And you’re the one he wants.”
“Oh, love is a many splendored thing, cowboy,” Andy said, but he sounded sad. “And totally unpredictable, no matter how we try to produce it.”
“I’m going home,” Ben said. He looked painfully embarrassed, and Walker wanted to feel a shred of pity for him, but his mind was reeling.
Andy planted his hands on his hips. “You’re not going anywhere or you don’t get paid either. It’s in your contract too. Jesus Christ, this whole production has turned into a shit show. I’ve never worked with a bigger bunch of ungrateful contestants.”
Walker seethed. He wanted to smash Andy’s face in. “If you try to tell me Roan out there earlier was an act—”
“No, his mom’s really sick,” Andy said, and his irritable expression fled to be replaced by what looked like genuine remorse. “Like the kid said, she was why he was here to begin with. They can’t afford a new, experimental treatment. Looks like they might not need it now.”
Walker covered his face. “Oh my God, what is wrong with you? How can you not pay him when you know this?” He flung his hands out, and glared at Andy. “Did your mother not love you or something? I want this whole thing to be over. Now.”
Andy picked a piece of cheese from the platter on the kitchen counter and took a bite, chewing with a thoughtful expression. “No, we can’t cut the show short. But there is a solution. Now, you can have your boyfriend Mike save you. We won’t have an eviction tonight. We’ll use some sad shots of Roan crying and leaving, and Ben crying and leaving, if he insists on sabotaging his life, too. And then some of you looking all maudlin and sad, and a little bit torn about finding out that Roan wasn’t here for your heart after all.”
Walker blinked wildly. Was this guy for real?
“Then next week, you can send Victor or Chad home.” Andy nodded firmly. “The week after that you choose Mike, propose to him on one knee, with a brilliant smile on your face. That’s it. We’re done and out. My husband gets his queer dating show that ends in true love. I get out of here alive. And next time, if there even is a next time, I’m choosing a more grateful bachelor.”
“Unbelievable,” Walker said.
“No,you’reunbelievable,” Andy snapped. “You signed on for this. There are no surprises here, but you act like this is so unfair to you. It’s not. We’re paying you handsomely and saving your insolvent ass by making you the star of this show.”
Walker wanted to argue, but he really couldn’t. What Andy said was true.
“But don’t worry your little cowboy head about anything. We’re going to leave this farm with a sellable product, for fuck’s sake. All you need to do is pretend you don’t know about Ben, show some interest in the others for the next week, and rekindle your flame with Mike. It’ll be over before you know it.”
Walker gritted his teeth. None of that mattered. “What happens with Roan?”
“Show must go on, baby,” Andy said. He motioned toward the stairs leading up to the bedrooms. “He’s packing up, and he’ll be leaving while we still have some decent light.”
“So you can catch everything on camera?”
“That’s the name of the game.” Somehow he sounded both determined and sad at the same time. Andy lifted his chin at something behind Walker, and asked, “Cameras rolling?”
