Mossy Glenn Ranch 3 -Saddles and Memories (12 page)

“Hey, Salt, what’s this about the lunch from hell?” Andy asked right off the bat, and any fears he had about the whole conversation being awkward were quickly erased as he and Salt settled in for an hour-long chat.

* * * *

Friday night, Andy decided to check out the biggest gay club in San Antonio. It was packed, the music was loud and there were men all over the place.

Younger men, mostly.
Still, he could work with that. He was horny, and tired of being alone. There was also the fact that he’d talked on the phone with Salt for the past three nights and was feeling kind of off-kilter about that. It was almost as if they were in a relationship, the way Andy lit up inside when he heard Salt’s voice or got a text from him.

But there were no promises between them, and Salt was supposed to be heading to Helena for some work-related thing. Andy had kind of zoned out over that because he knew Salt used to go there to get laid periodically, just as he’d done at any big city in Montana when he could. Chances were good he’d do the same thing in Helena this time.

That caused something suspiciously painful to come to life inside Andy. It was an ugly, jealous, possessive thing that snarled and gnashed its teeth at the very idea of anyone else touching Salt.

Andy wasn’t having that. He had no claim over Salt, and vice versa. They were friends, buddies, and if Salt was amenable to it the next time Andy was nearby, they’d be lovers then, too. For Andy to turn around and change the rules, to think he had any rights to Salt, well, that was stupid and he knew it.

It still left him with a hollow ache he couldn’t get rid of.

Getting laid would help, he was sure of it. That would teach his mind and remind his body that he didn’t have anyone who belonged to him. His heart wasn’t even in the equation. It wasn’t, Andy kept telling himself. He was just in a moody funk again like he had been weeks ago when Brandt had been such a dick.

Andy never did get to talk to Ty, either.

That’s enough being morose. Time to feel good, at least for a while.

Determined, Andy waded through the men clustered all over the place. He was groped, called ‘Daddy’ more than he’d ever have liked to be and propositioned a half dozen times before he reached the bar. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be a total loss after all.

Andy just hoped he could keep from thinking about Salt if he ended up fucking someone else.

Chapter Ten

The last thing Salt expected early on a Saturday morning was a call from Andy, but that was what he got as he stepped out of the bathroom while he was towelling off his hair. Salt tossed the towel down and hurried over to his phone. He was glad he had his own hotel room, and Rocky had hers. His nudity wasn’t going to offend anyone.

Jesus, I hope nothing’s wrong. Don’t know why else he’d be calling this early though.
“Hey, Andy, what’s up?” Salt’s pulse sped up and he held his breath.

“Salt, I just…” Andy paused, then a loud, gusty exhale came across the line. “Man, I don’t know. I was wondering, do you think I can come out and maybe hang with you next weekend?”

Salt frowned. “I thought you were supposed to go to Georgia? I mean, I don’t mind of course.” He stopped short of telling Andy he’d be happy to see him again, afraid his effusiveness might put Andy off.

“I was, but I think I’m going to move that up, head to Georgia tomorrow. I’m tired of travelling, and I need a break.”

Andy sounded tired, and there was a tightness to his voice that Salt didn’t think was from the call being wireless.

“You okay, Andy?”

Andy’s sharp, barked laugh made Salt wince.

“I don’t know what’s going on,” Andy said. “I think maybe we need to talk in person. Maybe…maybe there’s more to be said between us.”

A chill skittered down Salt’s spine. Was he losing Andy already? “Did I fuck up by starting the phone calls?” He didn’t want to lose Andy completely. They could text, or not even do that, if Andy would come see him sometime.

“No, you didn’t. It’s me.”

Salt snorted.

“Not like that,” Andy snapped, sounding irritated with Salt for the first time Salt could remember hearing. “I mean, I’m—fuck. I don’t even know, man.” There was another loud breath. “What are you doing tonight? Oh, God, I promised myself I wouldn’t ask. Last night, did you…did you…”

Salt took the phone away from his ear and looked at it like it’d sprouted tentacles. When Andy kept on spluttering, Salt brought the phone back to rest it against his head. “Tonight I’m probably going to be reading up on this new tack company Carlos sent me to check out. In an hour or so, Rocky and I are going to check the business out, see if their stuff is as high-quality as we’ve been told. Somewhere there’ll be breakfast and lunch, probably. Maybe pizza for supper. What’s going on, Andy?”

“Last night?”

At first Salt thought Andy was asking him, but Andy started talking.

“I thought since you’d be out looking for a lay most likely—”

“I wasn’t,” Salt cut in with. “I talked to you, then I went to bed.” His gut got a little queasy. “What are you trying to get around to? Just spit it out instead of torturing us both.”

Andy only hesitated for a moment. “I thought you’d be going out, even though you didn’t, and the idea of you letting someone else fuck you just pissed me off. I didn’t like it. But I know that’s bullshit, right? Because we aren’t exclusive. We’re friends, and we had sex weeks ago. So, no exclusive claims. I went out, telling myself that. I was—I don’t know. Angry, jealous, horny. Stupid.”

Salt didn’t want to hear about Andy’s night out. Andy was a good-looking man, with a dick that could make any size-queen happy. He hadn’t thought of Andy fucking anyone else—on purpose. Salt didn’t want to picture that. “I don’t want to know the rest.”

“But—”

“No!” Salt almost shouted it, but he managed some restraint. “What you do is your business, unless you’re doing it with me, then it’s my business, too.”

“Are you jealous?”

Salt wasn’t so much as jealous as he was hurt, which was fucking stupid. “No. I knew you’d probably be getting laid all over the place, handsome stud like you. I just don’t want to hear about it.”

“It hurt me to think of you with someone else.”

Salt froze, barely daring to breathe. Andy waited for a moment, then continued.

“So I was wondering if we could talk in person, and maybe change our agreement. Sounds like I want to negotiate a contract or something, doesn’t it? But I—there’s something about you, and us together. I’ve never had this kind of a friendship before, and I think there could be more between us. A year ago that would have scared the shit out of me. Now it’s not so terrifying.”

“I’m amenable to talking about it all,” Salt finally got past his numb lips. He was so stunned. He’d thought he was the only one becoming attached in an emotional manner. Hearing that Andy was, too, freed up Salt’s heart and allowed the budding of the affection he’d ruthlessly stomped out until then. “I’d like to have that talk.”

“Next weekend, then?”

“Whenever you want, Andy.” Salt closed his eyes and smiled as warmth bloomed inside his chest. There was a sweet shimmer of happiness he hadn’t felt before spreading through him.

“I’ll be there Friday afternoon. Earlier, if I can swing it.”

“Sounds good. I might have to work Saturday or Sunday.”

“Can I help you?” Andy asked.

Salt’s grin was so big it made his face hurt. “Yeah, of course you can. And Andy?”

“Yes?” Andy replied.

“You don’t have to worry about me hooking up with anyone else.” He only wanted one man, though he’d keep that to himself.

Andy’s chuckle was music to Salt’s ears. “Thanks, Salt. Same goes on my end. See you on Friday.”

“Count on it.” Salt disconnected the call and had to work not to let out a whoop of joy. He didn’t know Andy well in some respects—Andy didn’t talk about his family or his past really. Salt liked what he did know of Andy, though, and thought him to be a decent guy.

Someone Salt would like an actual relationship with, certainly. Salt gave up trying to keep it all inside. He whooped and laughed, delighted and excited by the turn in events. Friday couldn’t get there soon enough.

* * * *

Andy didn’t tell Brandt why he’d rearranged his travel plans. Brandt would find a way to fuck Andy over if he suspected Andy might be finding a bit of happiness somewhere.

“Overreacting much?” Andy asked himself as he turned onto the road leading to the Mossy Glenn. There was no reason for him to think Brandt would go so far to make him miserable… Except that Brandt had already ripped Andy’s heart out by keeping Ty from him.

Andy pushed aside those thoughts. There was nothing he could do about it all now, and he wanted to focus on him and Salt. Andy was nervous, like they hadn’t already had sex and established a friendship. What he wanted wouldn’t be any different, really. Just entailed them being monogamous.

That would have sent Andy running for the hills once upon a time—something Brandt had used in his argument as to why Ty would be better off with him and his wife Mary. Add in Brandt and Mary’s two kids, and it had sure seemed like Ty would be better off in a stable family.

Well, there was Andy’s mistake. Brandt was about as stable as a case of nitroglycerin in a tornado.

And Andy was ready to move past being a slut to finding something more. He thought he could have that with Salt. Wanted it with Salt, and Salt seemed to be on the same page.

So Andy was excited, and nervous, and horny. The three sensations kept swapping around for dominance, and by the time he pulled up to park the truck by the bunkhouse, he had a thin sheen of sweat on his brow despite the AC blowing on his face. He knew Salt hadn’t changed his mind—they’d spoken on the phone every day since Andy had his relationship breakthrough.

Salt wouldn’t ditch him now, but Andy was kind of terrified he might screw the whole deal up. Hell, Salt hadn’t had any long-term relationships either, so between the two of them, they might be doomed to failure.

“No. Fuck that.” Andy wasn’t a pathetic quitter. He shut the truck off and unbuckled his seat belt. As he got out of the truck, he saw Carlos and Will standing on the porch. “Hey. How’s it going?”

Carlos nodded, but Will bounced then darted down the steps, chattering as he ran. “Salt told us he’s expecting you, and I’m so happy he’s found someone! He’s a great guy, you know. All tall and thin and studly, and kind and—”

Andy held up one hand. “Whoa, hold off. You don’t have to sell me on him. I already like him.”

Will stopped in front of him. “Well, you’re gonna love him and he’s going to be your world.”

“Will,” Carlos growled.

But Andy was floored, because there was something in that prediction that rang true to him. Even more, he yearned for a connection that went deeper than the surface.

“What? It’s true,” Will said loudly. “Salt might have liked Drake—Whoops.” Will’s eyes were just huge as he slapped a hand over his mouth.

Andy knew who Drake was, remembered the short, sexy guy.
Salt had liked him? I’m about as different from Drake as can be while still having the same private bits.

“They didn’t date or anything,” Will said from between his fingers. “Drake’s seriously,
seriously
committed to his cop boyfriend, Ian. I think Salt was just lonely.”

“Salt is right here and thinking you shouldn’t be talking about him,” Salt said, walking up from the closest barn. “Ass.”

Andy’s heart did a slow roll as he watched Salt take long, steady strides towards him. The man was embarrassed, no doubt, but Andy doubted most people would see it. It was in the way he wouldn’t meet Andy’s gaze, and the lines etched around the corners of his mouth.

“I am an ass. A complete ass.” Will dropped his hands to his hips then glanced at Carlos before turning his head back to look at Salt. “Totally an ass. To make up for it, you get the entire weekend off. Shoo.”

Salt stopped a few feet away. He narrowed his eyes at Will, then at Carlos.

Carlos tipped his chin towards Salt. “It’s fine, Salt. Take off. Will should have kept his mouth shut.”

Andy thought he was the only one—besides Carlos—who saw Will flip Carlos off behind his back.

Salt cleared his throat and Andy returned his attention to the cowboy. Will and Carlos might as well not have been there once Salt raised his gaze to Andy’s.

“Think I’ll do that,” Salt rasped. Andy flushed with the heat of desire. His cock began to grow erect and he had enough sense to know he didn’t want to put on a show for anyone other than Salt.

“Ride with me?” Andy asked, aching to embrace Salt but afraid it’d be the wrong thing to do. His hands twitched as he thought of touching all of the places that made Salt cry out for him.

“Be glad to. Let me just get some clothes together.” But Salt didn’t move and after a long moment, Andy looked around to see that Will and Carlos had left. With them gone, he was freer to speak.

“You won’t be needing more than what you have on,” Andy informed him in a low voice. “I plan to keep you naked until you have to come back here.”

Salt shivered, a delightful sight to see. “Toothbrush. I need that and deodorant.”

Andy hadn’t thought to grab an extra toothbrush. “Okay, but the sooner we’re in the room, the sooner I can strip you down and make you mine.” He almost gasped at his own words. They weren’t what he’d intended to say, but sometimes over-thinking was a mistake. The words felt true, too, so he didn’t try to backpedal out of them.

Salt stared at him for a minute and Andy fought against shuffling his feet as he wondered if he’d gone too far, too fast.

Then Salt moved quick as a flash, coming forward and grabbing Andy by the shoulder. Andy quickly found himself in the very embrace he’d wished for. Almost, anyways. He wasn’t sure where to put his arms, what to do with his hands or what to say, but when Salt pressed up against him, Andy’s world was right for a short time.

“Sorry if this is too much,” Salt whispered by Andy’s ear. “It’s just good to see you.”

There was so much meaning in those words, and Andy didn’t think he was imagining it. He had his arms around Salt, running his hands over the planes of his back, in a heartbeat. “Don’t apologise. I wanted to do this but was too damn scared.”