“Actually,” Rick said, “I signed up for this because I remember how much fun these events can be.”
“Oh, my gods, yes. I remember those days, too. Let’s hope this one doesn’t disappoint.” Charlie laughed and slapped his knee. “Come along then, we’d better make sure you’re all signed in and doing it all proper. Just saying, there’s a couple of bulls in the chutes if you’re interested later.” He winked, giving him a knowing look.
That was an offer Rick couldn’t resist, but he felt he should offer a token protest. “That would be… yeah. It’s been a lot of years, though…”
“You never forget,” Charlie barreled right over his protests. “Come on, it’ll be fun. I haven’t seen you ride in the longest time.”
“Meh. Okay.” Rick nodded. “Let’s go and get this event underway. It looks like they might be waiting on me.”
As they wandered over, Charlie was rattling on about how they’d been preparing for the event for days. “You know how it is, Rick,” he said. “The down season can be hell if you didn’t do well on the circuit. Some of us still gotta make some money. And this event was paying well.”
“I know,” Rick mock grumbled. “I bought a ticket. Remember?”
Charlie laughed. “Yeah, well, just know that in future, now you know, we’re here. So don’t be a stranger, eh? What is it you’re doing now, anyways?”
Rick chuckled. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. I work out at a flower farm about twenty minutes from here.”
Glancing down, Rick noticed Charlie had stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes wide and his mouth open. “Flowers?”
“Good money, pays regular, and the guy who owns the farm is a decent friend. You know as well as I do that there comes a time when our old bones are going to remind us of the dumb shit we did when we were young.”
“Speak for yourself, I ain’t old.” Charlie was grinning as he slapped Rick’s back, and they started walking again.
“Maybe, but next time you’re on one of those beasts, think about the damage you’re doing to your ball sack with all that bouncing around I remember you doing. I can’t see that being good for you, or Pip.” Rick grinned cheerfully. Charlie would know he was teasing—Charlie had one of the best seats Rick had ever seen on a bull.
“I keep my Pip perfectly happy, thank you very much.” Charlie scanned the crowd. “He must’ve headed back to the kitchen. You’ll catch up with him later at the grill we’re holding.”
Rick groaned, mouth watering in anticipation. “Tell me Pip’s doing his barbecue pork spareribs. I still miss those things.”
“Only the best for you, and the dating hopefuls. You signed up on the right weekend.” With another slap, Charlie headed back to where a couple of other men were standing by a barn. Rick joined the crowd, all standing around a smaller man with a clipboard.
Charlie could be right about this being a good weekend.Rick was happy enough to meet up with a couple he’d traveled with for years. Only as he scanned the crowd, he spotted a taller man standing on the other side of the organizer. The man looked uncertain and was trying not to show it.
What made him stand out, in Rick’s eyes at least, was that the intriguing individual wasn’t watching the little omegas and cute twinks who were fluffing their hair and redoing their lip gloss in their efforts to catch a cowboy’s attention. No, this particular alpha had his pretty eyes on the other alphas, and Rick would swear on his instincts that’s where the guy’s interest lay.
When the alpha caught Rick’s eye, easy to do because Rick didn’t stop looking at him, Rick made a point of smiling, nodding, and touching the edge of his hat. His insides flipped at the buzz that came with the intensity of the guy’s gorgeous gaze. Like a hot perusal.Who knows, maybe I’ll get more than one ride in today, and not all of them on a bull.
“Okay, everybody, listen up. My name is Remy, and we have got a whole day packed with new activities for you to try.”
Chapter Four
Ian
Ian had dressed for the occasion. Yes, everything he had was new, except for the jeans and the baseball cap he wore. Those he’d had since college and hidden in the back of his closet. The jeans were super soft and worn in some interesting places. He hoped to attract some attention, and the jeans would do that. They showed offallhis assets.
His cowboy boots he’d scuffed a little yesterday, wearing them outside to make them look a little less new. The button-down was a pale blue checkered pattern that matched his eyes, so the shop assistant said. He’d foregone a Stetson and opted for an old baseball cap, because he was sure he’d look a little ridiculous wearing a cowboy hat.
The worries he’d had that made his stomach churn at standing out, something he hated, faded after seeing guys dressed similarly to him when he arrived. Thankfully, he didn’t stand out in the assembling crowd.
Since his arrival, excitement had built slowly inside Ian at all the potential. The place was exactly as he’d seen on the website he’d checked out last night. The weather was playing ball for them. A soft, warmbreeze went with the blue sky and a dusting of white clouds that occasionally covered the sun, ensuring they didn’t bake and end up with sweat patches everywhere.
The scent of horses, grass, dust, and dung wasn’t overpowering to his sensitive nose as it carried on the warm air.
Men went about their work, and the website had given no indication that the place would be crawling with alphas dressed in cowboy gear. Ian was in heaven.
He had to resist fanning himself at the sight of those strutting around in tight-fitting button-downs that accentuated muscular chests and jeans that cupped backsides as if they were a second skin that he dreamed of peeling off and munching on. He was trying not to be too obvious; it was hard.
It didn’t take long to guess who worked on the ranch and who was part of the event today. They all looked a little clueless, like Ian, and if that wasn’t the giveaway, then all of them gathering around Remy with his ever-present clipboard would have been. Remy had introduced himself, and he was a real sweetheart. Ian remembered him from the dance class event where Hector met Morty, and just like then, Remy was making sure everyone felt comfortable, making introductions to the omegas present. They held no interest for him, but he’d been polite and smiled.
