Page 2 of Riding Pine
“I miss it too. Let me change, and we’ll start a mission for you to find a hottie.”
There’s something to be said about the bars in small towns versus those on the strip in Vegas. They’re infinitely less expensive. While I rarely drink much, I order another one because a seven-dollar cocktail is almost too good to be true.
My shoes stick to the floor with every step in the packed bar. It seems dancing with drinks is still a thing in the small but comfortable bar with a country feel. The upbeat dance music vibrates through my chest, and I’m happy to be here with James.
The gay bar scene isn’t huge in Bloomburg despite the infiltration of big-city ways. This place, with its mechanical bull in the corner and pride flags in the window, is as close as it gets, and honestly, it’s killer. I’ve never been much of a country boy, even growing up here, but you can’t deny the draw of a well-fit pair of jeans on a farm boy.
Leaning against the wall, I watch my best friend while he grinds on the dance floor.
James is smiling and laughing with his dance partner. An older man with an infectious smile and a body built by manual labour. He’s attractive in the way farm boys seem to have without trying, and James is one hundred percent into the guy.
James and his dance partner, sweating and smiling, head my way.
“Ben! You want another drink?” His flushed pink cheeks and sparkling eyes are a sight I’ve missed. There’s no one more happy than James when he’s dancing and enjoying himself.
“I think this is my last one for the night, but you two go ahead.”
“Would you like me to bring you water?” The blond-haired man has a good vibe, and I appreciate his gesture. I also don’t miss his arm wrapped around James’s waist.
“Please, if you don’t mind?”
Nodding, he whispers in James’ ear, and my friend leans on the wall with me.
“Oh my god, Ben. Brandon is like the perfect gentleman. He’s so nice. And hot. God damn.”
Laughing with James as he watches Brandon move through the crowd, I nudge him with my shoulder.
“If you want to take him home, James, it’s your place. I’ll hang out at the twenty-four-hour laundromat with a book for a while. My clothes get clean while you get yours dirty.” I wink so he doesn’t feel guilty about it. But it’s his place, not mine. I’m not about to cramp his style or listen to him having sex.
James squeezes my hand. “I’ll see how it goes. He hasn’t actually mentioned our leaving yet. So don’t leave without me, just in case.”
Brandon returns with our drinks, and James melts when Brandon tells him he’s the best man he’s met in a long time. He doesn’t even care that I’m listening, and I like that about him. But I don’t want to eavesdrop, so I nudge James before excusing myself to head for the washroom.
But I don’t get very far because in the far corner of the dance floor, just before the hall leading to the facilities, is possibly themost handsome man I’ve ever seen… and he’s upside down. So that’s saying something.
The man holding his ankles lets go, and the upside-down guy walks two steps on his hands before crashing to the floor. He lands directly in front of me, and I hold out a hand to help him up.
His T-shirt remains all smashed up, revealing his amazing physique. The guy works out a lot, and it’s hard not to notice. He also likes ink. Tattoos cover one entire arm, and while nothing in his artwork immediately stands out, the man himself does. Noting the strength of his sticky grip on my hand, I know why he couldn’t hold the handstand.
“If you want to control the walking part, you need to engage your core and lock your legs. When your legs flail, you lose your balance.”
The man rises and towers over me. My five-foot-ten feels like an inch next to him. He’s broad in the shoulders, and his hazel-flecked eyes shimmer with amusement.
“Are you an expert on handstands?”
“Actually, I sort of am.”
Cocking his head, he scans me, and I enjoy the appraisal. More than I thought I would, but the dude is smoking, and if he’s interested, I… might want to reciprocate. Just because I let my sex drive get me in trouble once doesn’t mean I’m suddenly celibate. Quite the opposite, in fact.
The man stumbles forward, pushed by a rowdy crowd behind him, and his mammoth hands grab my hips for balance as we’re squeezed together. He doesn’t step away immediately. Instead, his gaze roams my body, an obvious perusal. He gently squeezes my hips before taking a small step back.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to touch you like that.”
I’m certainly not sorry.
“It’s fine. You lost your balance, and I’m not offended.”
The man dips his head, acknowledging my statement, and his full lips rise in a sexy smile.
