Art Directed by Zach Pleasant.
He tossed his phone on the desk as the heat of firsthand embarrassment spread over his face. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
“Oh! I’m not supposed to say anything, but did you know this whole thing with Lilah and the vet is a sham?”
“Yes, and that’s supposed to be a secret. She’s trying to get Uncle Gerald off her back.”
“That’s genius. How can he be mad about an animal doctor who used to play for the Steelers?”
“Exactly. I’m just hoping none of this blows up in her face. Miss Leona thinks it’s real. I’m having drinks with him tonight actually. I’ll see if I can get his side of the story while I’m at it. I’m working on making friends.”
“That’s a great idea.” The loud ping of Jesse’s text alert filled the air. “That her?” Zach asked, waggling his eyebrows.
“Yeah.” Jesse unlocked the phone and tried not to react to the message she’d sent back.
This is literally the best thing that has ever happened to me. Tell Zach to order me a few wallet-sized and one in a gilded frame to hang over my mantel. *Hubba hubba*
Also your junk looks amazing.
Jesse’s cheeks set full ablaze as he went back to the picture and realized the way he’d lifted up his leg there left a very clear outline of his bulge on display. He didn’t know how to respond to that other than to say thank you.
“What did she say?”
“She approves.”
“See.” Zach stood up and adjusted his suit jacket. “Time to start looking for a horse.”
* * *
Jesse had no idea why he was nervous. He’d met plenty of people for drinks and meals before. When Fetu agreed to meet him, Jesse had been pushing the reality of their appointment around his head, pushing it off like that Thursday was somehow months away and not that night. Lily-Grace had done her best to psyche him up when they met up for lunch, but Jesse was still having mixed feelings about the whole thing. What were friends, anyway?
He pulled into the parking lot of Claim Jumpers and headed inside the bar. His brothers and cousins loved the place, but he hadn’t been in a while. Still, the food was surprisingly good and it was the only cowboy bar in the whole desert valley that played country and hip-hop. The DJ had a gift.
He said what’s up to the doorman, Judd, who he’d played football with in high school, then spotted Fetu at the bar. He already had two beers in his hands.
Jesse made his way across the room as Beyoncé’s “Daddy Lessons” blared through the speakers. He greeted a few members of the ranch staff that seemed shocked and terrified to see him outdoors after hours, not wearing a suit. He’d changed his clothes four times before he realized jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt would be perfectly fine. He had his security blanket, aka his black Stetson to round out the look.
“Hey!” Fetu said, with a cheery smile Jesse couldn’t reciprocate ’cause the muscles in his face just didn’t react that way under pressure.
“Hey, how’s it going?”
“Good, man. Good. I got the first round and ordered like two pounds of wings. Lilah said they were good.”
“She’s right.”
“Good. Let’s get a table.”
Jesse took the Tecate from Fetu’s hand and followed him over to an empty four-top in the corner. “Thanks for doing this,” Fetu said.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Doc Vasquez told me he told you to take me out, help me get my bearings around here. Even if it was a pity ask, I appreciate it.”
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, it was a bit of a mutual pity ask. My therapist and my”—he almost saidmy girlbut he caught himself—“my family think I could stand to make a few friends on my own.”
“Yeah, Lilah mentioned you were more on the shy, reserved side. Listen, I get it. I’m loud and always down for a good time, but after I left the league I realized how hard it is to make real friends as an adult. Especially if you don’t lead with your championship ring. Didn’t make that easier on myself by moving all the way the fuck out here where I don’t know anyone. Here”—Fetu held up his bottle in salute—“here’s to being old as fuck and just figuring out how to schedule your own playdates.”
“Jesus,” Jesse said with a painful groan. “Amen to that.” They both drank, and then Jesse remembered they’d have to follow up that toast with an actual conversation. “So how are things going so far?”
