“I worry sometimes,” he whispered, staring outside the barn, watching one of the ranch hands walk past. “What if I becomelike him? I don’t want to be mean and hurt other people. I don’t want to do the things he’s done, but I’m his son, so I worry.”
Crompton watched him, then stated, “You won’t. You and Ambrose are complete opposites. Like night and day, and if you pulled any of the shit he did, I’d let you have it. So would Santino.”
“Sorry.” Orsen ducked his head. Now he felt stupid for thinking that way.
Crompton came over and squeezed his shoulder, his face softening. “It’s okay to worry, son. You’ve gone through some shit with the people who were supposed to protect you. I’m not worried about you because I know the man you’re growing into. A good, kind man.” Crompton let go, then pointed into the stall, his familiar stern look on his face. “Get to it. The shit ain’t gonna muck itself.”
Orsen watched Crompton leave the barn and smiled as he went back to mucking out the stalls. Crompton wasn’t one to say things like that, but when he did, Orsen listened. When his phone rang, he took his gloves off and pulled it out. Seeing Cody’s name, Orsen smiled when he answered.
“Tell me you got lucky.”
“Cody!” Orsen glanced around the stall, making sure no one would hear.
“Well? I saw Santino earlier, and he looks mighty happy.”
“We didn’t do it, you know, but I, er, you know…”
“Did your mouth have a close encounter with his dick or his mouth with yours?”
“Cody!” Orsen hissed, looking around the barn again even though he was alone. “Both,” he whispered.
“Nice! I’m not calling to ask about your sex life. We’re having a BBQ this weekend and I want to know if you’ll come. Santino is, and so are Toni and Carter with the kids.”
The fact that Cody asked him brought a smile to Orsen’s face. “I’d like that. Thanks for inviting me.”
“You need to bring me some of Crompton’s brew.”
Orsen snorted. “I like living, Cody. Ask him yourself.”
“Ah, come on. He actually likes you. Me? Not so much.”
“He does like you,” Orsen protested. “He thinks you’ve come a long way from that stupid boy who ran away.”
“That’s so nice to hear, Orsen. Thanks for telling me.”
His brow furrowing, Orsen asked, “Are you being sarcastic?”
“Why, yes I am.”
“I think I have a, er, prior engagement.”
Cody burst out laughing, making Orsen smile. He liked it when people laughed. “Come over by two for the BBQ.”
“I will, and I’ll tell Crompton as well.”
“Great.” Cody hung up as Orsen laughed.
“Lunch is ready.” Orsen jumped, spun around with his hand on his chest. “Tell Cody if he wants some of my brew, then he needs to come and ask me.”
“How did you know?”
“He’s been trying to get some for years. Caught him when he was younger trying to break in.” Crompton walked back to the house, and Orsen jogging to catch up.
“He doesn’t think you like him. I told him you do now.”
Snorting, Crompton rubbed his hip. “He’s another boy who had a hard life when he shouldn’t have. You, him, and that Tanner boy.”
“Tanner? I’ve never heard of him.” Orsen kicked his boots off by the door to the house, then followed Crompton into the kitchen and smiled at a few of the ranch hands already there. After making sure he was clean, Orsen grabbed a plate and filled it with sandwiches and crusty rolls.
