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“Oh, I do. But have you ever been in a situation where everyone there already knows everyone else, so even though they’re nice, you still feel all awkward and shit?”
“Sure.”
“That’s the way I feel when I go to the cookouts at the Bluebird. I figure if I’m going to have it at my house, I should invite someone who gets me.”
“So you want me to be your emotional support person for the night,” I said, laughing.
“Yep. I’ll even get you a vest if you want one,” he teased.
“That isn’t necessary, but I’ll come.”
“Fantastic. I’ll see you Saturday night then.”
Chapter 7
Nash
“Hey, Nash, can you get Levi to give you a hand and move the picnic tables from the left side of the barn over near the fire pits we set up?” Cruz asked.
“No problem, boss. Anything you want me to do today to help get things ready for the cookout?” Apparently, these cookouts were a regular thing over on Cruz’s friend Reed’s ranch. This was going to be the first one of the year now that the weather had started to warm up, and they’d decided to do it here at the Double C to celebrate the success of the horse rescue before resuming them over at the Bluebird.
“Nah, that should be it. You know you’re welcome to bring someone with you to the cookout. Levi’s bringing the girl he’s been seeing over in Sweet Springs.”
“I know. He’s super excited for us to all meet her.”
“And you?”
“I’m not seeing anyone special.”
My mind flashed to Spencer the other day, making it very clear to me that he wasn’t interested. With the way he was behaving, I would’ve sworn he was an overtired boy who needed his Daddy to step in and lend a hand, but he’d made it very clear that wasn’t what he wanted. It was a shame, really, ‘cause I thought we might’ve had something.
Cruz gave my shoulder a hardy pat. “That’s fine. I just wanted to make sure you knew you’re welcome to bring someone if you wanted.”
“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.” But I wouldn’t. There wasn’t anyone here in town I’d want to bring, and getting anyone I knew from the city to come out to River Gorge was too much of a hassle.
Instead, I focused on getting my work done so I could meet Cody and Landon at The Watering Hole. I was enjoying getting to know both of them. It didn’t hurt that I beat the two of them at both pool and darts most nights.
A couple of hours later, I was still listening to Levi wax poetically on and on about Anna and how perfect she was when my phone buzzed with a text notification. I glanced at it and saw a text from an unknown number, but it gave me a good excuse to end the conversation with Levi. I was happy for the kid, but a guy could only take so much.
“Hey, Levi, I think we’re about done here, and I need to take this, but I can’t wait to meet Anna tomorrow.”
Then, before he had a chance to respond, I quickly headed toward the bunkhouse while reading the text.
Unknown: Hey Nash, Steven Sheridon here. I got your number from your brother.
Me: Steven! How’s it going? Long time, no see.
I’d gone to school with Steven, and we’d always gotten along really well. He was a couple of years older than I was, but even in a town the size of Vesper, out gay guys in high school weren’t all that common, so we all tended to stick together. Of course, Steven and I had more in common than most since we both had family members who were firefighters.
Steven: It has been ages, hasn’t it?
Me: It has.
Steven: My aunt lives in River Gorge, and I’m coming to help her clean out her attic. I wondered if you might want to grab a beer Saturday night when I’m there.
Me: Oh man, I would love to, but my bosses are having a cookout on the ranch where I work, and I need to be there.
Steven: That’s a shame. I’d love a chance to catch up.
