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“Maybe he didn’t recognize you.” Robert sounded hopeful.
Except Sol knew better.
“Look, I have no qualms telling you about Butch, because I know Toby would have told you anyway. But confidentiality is one of the things we live by in our lifestyle, right? And youareButch’s boss.”
Robert frowned. “Is there something I need to know? Beyond what you’ve already said?”
“No, nothing at all.” Not now he knew the truth.
Prior to fourteen years ago, however, he couldn’t have given the same answer.
“Then I don’t see how telling us you knew him in high school changes anything.”
Sol knew it would change things for Butch.
“He might feel a little awkward, that’s all, given that we knew each other, and we were both assholes. No one likes to be reminded they were a dick in high school.”
Robert coughed. “Can we go back to the part where you had the hots for Butch? Because… really? What are the odds on you guys meeting again after all this time?”
Sol smiled. “I know, right? I’m sure I wasn’t the first gay kid to fall for a straight guy.” Toby and Robert exchanged glances, and Sol’s senses went on alert. “Heisstraight, isn’t he?”
Not that it mattered if Butch was as gay as a nine-dollar bill. The way he’d looked at Sol… And then there was their shared history.
Some things just can’t be gotten over, I guess.
“Let’s put it this way.” Toby bit back a smile. “If there was an award for the gayest straight man, Butch would definitely be in the running.”
Robert chuckled. “And that’s kind of an open secret around here, so we’re not breaking any confidences.”
Sol stared back at them. “That’s all I get?”
“Yup.” Toby’s grin was back.
“Because to say anything more would be wrong,” Robert added. “Especially as you two don’t appear to be on speaking terms.” He tilted his head. “Unless you plan to change that?”
Robert had nailed it. No way was Sol going to spend an entire week avoiding Butch or letting him treat Sol like a stranger.
He needs to see I’ve changed. I’m not that kid he knew.
Sol was intrigued to know what kind of man Butch had grown into, especially after that comment from Toby.
Gayest straight man?
Yeah, Sol wasallkinds of intrigued.
“I told Teague—he’s the ranch foreman—you were interested in riding. He said he’ll pass that on to Paul,” Toby informed him.
“Thanks.” Sol glanced at his watch. “So what time do folks rise and shine around here?”
Robert laughed. “Too early o’clock. You’d better hit the sack.” He stilled. “Wait… This business with Butch… Isn’t it going to be awkward, staying in the bunkhouse? Talk about forced proximity.”
“It probably will be—at first,” Sol confessed. “But I won’t let it go on for too long, especially if it creates an atmosphere.”
He’d take Butch aside and have a few words before he let it go that far.
Toby huffed. “And now I really want to be a fly on the wall when you and Butch go head-to-head.”
Robert cleared his throat. “It’s none of our business, though. Remember?” Toby arched his eyebrows, but Robert didn’t react. “Okay, I’d like to know too, but unless you’ve installed cameras or mastered the art of out-of-body experiences without telling me, it ain’t gonna happen. Besides, the people who work on this ranch are my family, and as such I’ll have their backs.”
