Page 82 of Ropers Can't Tie Knots
“Hi, Gabe.” Mike nods and clears his throat. “You know how Hunter always challenges the new ropers to a contest that he never loses?”
I nod. “Yes. Best out of five or fastest time for a tie down?”
Mike hums. “That’s the one. When he lost the first challenge…3-0 I might add, he made a bet that he also lost and right now he’s out paying the debt.”
Sounds right. Hunter is nothing less than competitive. If he lost the first contest, which he never does, he might have let his drive get the best of him.
“Do you have a lot of that anti-itch stuff? Like for mosquito bites?” One of the young lads says, and I nod.
“I think so. Do you need some?”
“No, but I bet Hunter will.”
Now I’m just completely confused, but I turn when I hear the sounds of hooves and Hunter’s voice.
“Lady Godiva ain’t got nothing on me, you fuckers. I hope you’re satis—” Hunter’s gaze meets mine. “Oh, shit. Hey, babe.”
The guys hoot and holler and clap and a few dollar coins get thrown his way because my husband is completely bare-ass naked on top of his horse. Well, naked except for his hat, and now I understand the question about anti-itch meds. It’s still black fly season.
“You dared to ride naked if you lost a bet?”
“Not exactly.” Mike chuckles next to me.
“Damn, Gabe. His balls must be chafing against that saddle. Gonna need more than anti-itch.” Levi cackles, and I do my best not to laugh. I really do.
“What do you say, Hunter? Are your balls chafing up there? Need some Gold Bond?” one of the new guys yells out.
Hunter’s hand goes to his naughty bits, and he attempts to cover himself since the crowd has stopped snickering and grown quiet as they ogle my naked husband. Which is hard not to, but I’m not loving him on display.
“Don’t you guys have work to do or something?” I bark. Some of them excuse themselves, but most of them stay and laugh and grin as Hunter grows increasingly uncomfortable.
Maybe I’m a bit of an ass for making him sweat, but I don’t think he’ll mind later. It’s actually kinda hot with him up there, reinventing the rustic cowboy image.
Since I know his first instinct is to always make sure we communicate when things get wonky, I shake my head and turn towards the house.
“Gabe, it’s not —” A fresh wave of laughs and wolf whistles sounds. “Unless you want me to flash the goods, I can’t get down, Gabe. Please don’t be mad.”
Turning around, I laugh as I walk to the fence. “I’m not mad, but why on earth would you bet to ride naked if you lost?”
“I didn’t think I’d lose! Or that so many of these guys apparently wanted to see me naked!” He glares at the small crowd of men. We don’t make it a point to ask them about their sexuality when they attend his school. What we do, though, is make it a point to tell them we’re a married gay couple and if that’s a problem, not to bother attending.
Clearly, we’ve acquired the largest group of non-straight cowboys in Alberta, since most of them can’t seem to look away. We’ve moved beyond the shock factor and into open looks of appreciation.
“Honestly, I just wanted to know if he’d follow through.” One man offers me a hand. “Hi, I’m Caleb. Seems like he’s a man of his word.”
I take his hand while I side glance at Hunter. “He’s definitely a man of his word. Are you the man who beat him?”
“Yes, sir.” Caleb smirks, and the cockiness is earned. Hunter never loses.
“Congratulations. I’m sure he’ll bet more carefully in the future now.” Caleb nods and waves to Hunter before turning back to the barn.
“You should probably get off the horse, Hunter. Where are your clothes, anyway?”
It’s then one of the new guys bursts from the barn, arms full of clothes, as he runs down the driveway towards his vehicle. After he throws them in the back, he peels out of the yard, and I raise an eyebrow.
“Those were probably my clothes, and I’m kicking him out of the course.” Hunter hangs his head with a laugh. “Lord, can this day get worse?”
“Doubt it, but I can definitely make it better.”
