Page 35 of Rugged Heart

If I was closer to Greyson, I’d code asswipe in his palm, but instead I throw him poison filled daggers over my shoulder as I escort Kellen down the stairs.

Men and their pissing contests.

* * *

“Sorry about that.”I hand Kellen a sweating water bottle. “You don’t have to do that again if you don’t want to. I could tell you weren’t enjoying it.”

Placing the water bottle on the back of his neck, he slides his green eyes toward mine. “Strike one for impressing the lady.”

Laughter spills from my mouth. “I don’t need that kind of impressing. You tried your best.” I shrug, chewing on my cheek. “It’s difficult and a lot of us have been on that wall for several years.”

“I can handle strenuous exercise, don’t get me wrong.” He cracks a lascivious smile. “It’s the heights. I’ve been afraid of heights since I was a kid and my parents forced me to go on the Tower of Terror at the theme park.”

We sit at a small table in the busy cafeteria. Ripping open a granola bar I plucked from my bag, I break off a corner and chew into it. “That sucks. Those rides are fun, but really make your knees knock together.”

The conversation trails off as Kellen familiarizes himself with his surroundings. The cafeteria is located past the indoor archery yard, sporting one entire wall made of glass and the impressive landscape outside charms even the most curmudgeons of people.

“How long have you lived here in Montana, or have you always lived here?” he asks, taking a bite of his banana bread. “We didn’t get that deep into your life at Tito’s.”

“Have I lost my New Yorker accent?” I rattle off a few words, completely exaggerating the pronunciations, and a chuckle barrels from his chest.

Greyson pops around the corner and struts to the take-and-go fridge. Pulling out a water, his cool eyes assess Kellen and I as he cracks open the drink and slings back some before striding to the register to pay.

“I’ve lived here for so many years I’ve lost count.” I pause before bringing my attention back to Kellen. This would normally be the part where I reveal I have a son. But explaining to strangers the tangled web of a relationship Greyson and I have had over the last several years has earned me a few side-eyes and narrowed points of view. In short, most don’t get it. They don’t get it because they haven’t lived it. They haven’t gone through what we have, nor how we’ve made it all work for our son.

Another glance at the alpha male leaning against the pillar, his attention out the large window, and I stay the course. I hesitate expelling my history because I’m not sure yet if I want to share Theo with Kellen. He’s a nice guy and I feel bad about him suffering through a phobia on my account, but it’s still too soon. I don’t care if he’s gorgeous, kind, and also steals the napkins from the restaurant for his car like a conscious environmentalist—it’s not the right time and maybe that makes me selfish but the reality we live in can be scary and Theo is my entire world.

“Work brought me here. You already know a bit about equestrian therapy but I didn’t start off doing that. Before, I was an event coordinator for a small charity whose goal was helping disadvantaged youth. It morphed into equestrian therapy once I got a taste of how amazing these creatures are and how even the simplest of tasks, whether it’s feeding or brushing them, had a profound effect on clients.”

“I can tell you love it.” He looks around one more time and stalls once he’s caught sight of Greyson casually holding up the column, peeling a banana. “I’m afraid I have to get back to work, but I’d love to take you out again if that’s okay?” the question asked with an impish glint.

As if his ears came equipped with sonar technology, Greyson orients his head toward us, searing me with an unreadable expression before pushing off the wall and leaving the cafeteria, tossing the half-eaten banana in the trash on his way out.

“I don’t trust him.”His words trickle through my mind. He’s not one to steer me wrong, but he’s also extremely protective over those he cares about—e.g. his recent uptick in stalkerish behavior.

Exploring my options in terms of suitors is up to me, not him, and if he can’t provide me with one valid example of why I shouldn’t consider Kellen, then I have no reason not to.

Irrational and unexplainable lusting over best friend aside, I arrange my face in a smile and respond, “Sure, why not?”

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