Chapter Nineteen

TANK JOGGED around the arena. Sunday was always the important day. Short-go. Prize money. He had to be on his game. He needed a lot more warm-up these days.

Tony and Greg jogged alongside, joshing and laughing, and then Robin joined them, managing a few damn impressive handsprings.

“Nice!” Greg hooted. “For an old guy.”

“I know, right? I’m on a roll.”

“You are.” Tank slapped Robin on the back on the way by. Lord knew he couldn’t do that. No chance in hell. He’d break his everything.

“Hey, I saw Buick Davis was here,” Robin said.

The temptation to go “well, duh” was huge, because Robin had watched Buick ride yesterday, but this was just a lead-in to gossip, and they all knew it.

“Yep.”

“He just hanging around?” Robin waggled his brows.

“He wants to spend the break riding. I think he’s… curious.”

“Huh.” The guys all shared glances.

“Just ask what you want to ask,” Tank said.

“Are you with Dalton or are you with Buick?” It was Greg who managed to ask.

“Dalton. Buick is just here to see. I reckon he heard.” There. That was settled.

“Good deal.” Robin grinned. “Welcome home. You even brought the famous guys with you.”

“Yeah. No shit. I didn’t mean to.” He chuckled, because he didn’t know what to do with Buick.

“It’s good for the rodeo. That’s good for the family, right?”

“It is.” He jumped up and down, swinging his arms. “It is.”

The cowboys were starting to wander in, mostly bareback guys, but a few of the ropers. Dalton would be in soon, he knew, and he’d get to watch.

Tank ducked a lazy swat from Tony as he jogged by. “Man, you have to try harder.”

“Yeah, yeah. It’s hot.”

He nodded. “It’s Texas.”

“It only comes in hot,” they all chorused.

Their laughter filled the humid air, and he grinned, slowing to a trot. When he turned a corner, he saw Buick sitting on a rail, staring, so he jogged over. “Hey.”

“Hey, honey. Looking good. How’s it hanging?”

“Hot and sweaty. You’re here early.” Tank took off his hat and wiped his brow.

“There ain’t a lot to see in town of a Sunday morning.”

“Not around here, true enough.” Tank grinned. “You find you some breakfast?”

“I went to the Starbucks. I needed coffee. It’s good to see you, man. Swear to God.”

“Same here, Buick.” He did like Buick’s good nature and ready smile.

“So, the kid? Is he a thing?”

“Dalton, and yeah. He’s my thing.” Like whoa.

“No shit?” Buick chuckled softly. “Seriously, Tommy? For real?”

“For real.” He rolled his eyes at Buick calling him by his real name. Well, a version of it. He was a Thomas.

“You could do worse. He’s got a solid reputation.”

“He’s a good man and a hell of a cowboy.” That Tank knew without a doubt.

“Well, then. Good on you. Are you going to invite me to hang out with y’all during the week?”

“Uh.” He grinned wider. “Well, I can ask you to the barbecue, I guess. I’m staying at Dalton’s. We kinda want to be alone…. But I won’t say no to seeing you, man.”

“Fair enough.”

Tank loved that about Buick. The man was who he was.

Buick nudged him with one boot toe. “Be good to him.”

“I am. He gives me what I need, you know?”

“Good deal.” Buick hopped down off the gate to give him a one-armed hug. “I like him. He needs to loosen up, but I like him.”

Oh, Tank didn’t know about that. He liked how tight Dalton was. His cheeks heated, and Buick whooped, slapping his arm hard.

“Horn dog.”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, man.”

“Uh-huh. If I know one thing about you, it’s when you’re all het up.”

“Working,” Tank intoned.

“You’ll be watching that little boy’s heinie for the next two hours.”

“I will. I got a cushy job that way. You keep it quiet and I’ll buy you a Happy Meal.”

“Promises, promises. I want the good toy.”

“I’ll make sure.” He shook his head, but Buick had a whole collection of Happy Meal toys in his little bungalow in El Paso. It was cute as fuck.

“You’re good to me.” Buick stopped, grinned nice and slow. “If I was a bad man, I’d kiss you now, because your boy is watching, but I’m not. Bad, that is. I’ll totally kiss you if it’ll get you laid better.”

“I think it would just get your ass kicked.” When he glanced at Dalton, that face was like a thundercloud.

Jealous man. How hot was that?

Tank gave Buick a friendly shove. “Go on, man. Let me have a little time.”

“Yeah, yeah. You holler if you need a shit pot stirred.”

“You know it.” They fist-bumped, but then Buick moved away.

Tank jogged over to Dalton, careful not to startle his mount.

“Hey, you.” Dalton’s gaze ate him up.

“Hey, baby. How’s it going today?”

“Excited about heading home, I think. Everything okay?”

“Yep. Buick was just asking if I was still available.” He moved a little closer. “I told him absolutely not.”

“Yeah?” Dalton searched his eyes. “You’re right, huh? We got us a thing going on.”

“A big thing. You just remember that.” He needed Dalton to know. To believe it.

“I intend to. You got plans for supper after? I was thinking you and me and Mexican food.”

“Oh now, I like that idea.” He did love Tex-Mex.

“Molina’s it is. Had someone tell me it’s the best in town.”

“I’m with you.” He paused. “Buick will be around while we’re at your place. I think he’s gonna stay in Austin. Is it okay if he comes to the big barbecue?” He needed to ask now. No hiding.

“Sure. It’ll be a party. Save your dances for me.”

“Got it. My dance card is full.” Tank saluted, the movement snappy and clean.

“Good man. I’ll keep you happy.”

“Like no one ever has, baby.” He reached out to touch Dalton’s leg.

That smile liked to burn him down to the ground. He gave it back. Lord, Dalton was beautiful.

And his. Totally his. Fuck yes.

He patted Dalton before moving away. He knew Dalton needed to warm up. Hell, he needed to watch. There was nothing like that ass in the saddle.

Practically made him drool.

“So.” Tony walked over. “Buick is a free agent?”

“Yessir. Free and clear.” Not that Buick needed him for that. Buick was great at being free and easy.

“Cool.” That grin made him laugh.

“Good luck.”

“I won’t need luck, just skill.”

“Oh-ho!” Was it just him, or was everyone hornier than usual?

Maybe it was pheromones. Maybe it was just that he’d forgotten what it was like to be in the open. That was probably a lot of it. Up in the big show a man could still lose his job for being too obvious. Here? You felt safe at worst, welcomed at best.

Tank was gonna get real spoiled, real fast.

“Tank, man, I need your opinion on this bull. I don’t know if I want to buck him in the short-go.” Dustin had a tablet and a frown.

“Sure. Lead the way.” He knew his bulls pretty well, and it made him proud that Dustin would ask.

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” Dustin was all boss, all game face, no bullshit.

Tank moved through the chutes, and the bull in question was three pens back. “We gonna buck him with the radio pack to test him out, or am I just looking at his feet and all?”

“We got time to buck him. Hell, I got a half-dozen cowboys’ll do it for shits and giggles, but I got video first.”

“Well, cool. He looks sound.” Dustin had to have a reason to have reservations, after all.

Time to get to work. Damn, he did love his job.