Page 99 of Captivated

Zeeb’s jaw flexed. “I ain’t done nothin’ wrong.”

Butch frowned. “I never said you did.”

Zeeb couldn’t rein it in a moment longer. “Nate’s a good guy,” he blurted. “He’s been through enough bullshit for three lives. There’s no way I’d try to mess with that.”

Butch gave a little grunt. “Didn’t figure you would. You’ve always been careful about people’s hearts. Even when you don’t know you’re doin’ it.”

Bailey whinnied, a soft sound but loud enough to pierce the quiet.

Butch smiled. “You’re not gonna shock me, y’know. Most of us have had you figured out for a while now.”

With an opening like that, there seemed little point in hiding anymore.

And about time I said the words out to someone I know has my back.

“Back when I was sixteen, I kissed a boy.”

“And you liked it?” Butch quipped.

He chuckled. “Yeah, you can say that. I thought it was curiosity at the time, but I know now that was me lying to myself. That was all we did, though—kiss. Then my world went belly up. My dad found out, I left home… The rest is history. After that, I just dated girls.” He shrugged. “Never really felt like talkin’ about it.” He bit back a smile. “Although ithasbeen fun, keepin’ everyone guessing.”

Butch cackled. “Dude, I hate to burst your bubble, but we passed guessing about eight years ago.” He leaned against the rail, his gaze on the bunkhouse. “You like Nate, don’tcha?”

“Doesn’t matter if I do or I don’t. He’s been through actual hell. I ain’t about to be the guy who confuses him more.”

Butch nodded again, only this time there was a kind of gravity to it. “That’s fair. And it’s kind. But don’t assume you know what he can handle. Like I said a few days ago, he’s not a kid. He came here to heal, not to be protected like glass. If hewants your company, and it helps him, maybe there’s nothing wrong with sittin’ on a porch together and talkin’. Even if some dumbass ranch hands can’t keep their thoughts to themselves.” He pierced Zeeb with an intense gaze. “And you don’t owe anyone an explanation.” Butch returned his attention to the paddock.

Zeeb sighed. “When you and Sol got together, and you told everyone you were bi… Did you ever worry what folks would say?”

Butch chuckled. “All the time at first. And that didn’t stop just ’cause I got comfortable with myself. But I got tired of lettin’ fear be the loudest voice in my head. I figured, if I was gonna bust my ass sunup to sundown out here, at least I’d earned the right to be honest.”

Zeeb chewed on that for a while.

“If you two aren’t hungry, that’s more for the rest of us,” Matt hollered from the bunkhouse door.

Butch cackled. “In your dreams, wise-ass.” He dug his elbow into Zeeb’s ribs. “Come on. Matt’s baked bread this morning. We’d better get in there before Walt inhales it all.”

Zeeb guessed his shower could wait until after breakfast.

Butch cupped his hands around his mouth. “Paul. Food’s up.”

“I’ll be right there, once I put Bailey back in the stable.”

They crunched their way across the gravel to the bunkhouse, and as soon as Zeeb stepped inside, he got a whiff of familiar odors: sweat, leather, bacon, and coffee.

“Well, well, if it ain’t Loverboy himself,” Walt drawled. “You plannin’ on movin’ into that guest cabin full-time, Zeeb, or just part-time with benefits?”

Laughter rippled around the room.

Zeeb didn’t even blink. “Jealous, Walt? I get why. Ain’t like the horses ever call you back.”

Teague cackled. “He got you that time, Walt.”

Walt held his hands up in mock surrender, grinning. “Damn, all right. I walked into that one.” He leaned back in his chair, his hands laced across his stomach. “But I gotta say, Zeeb, you’ve been awful cozy with that Nate fella. Not that we’re judging. Heisawful pretty. But hey, if you’ve finally decided to stop pretending you’re only into women, we support your spiritual journey.”

Zeeb rolled his eyes. “Y’all need hobbies.” Walt’s comment about Nate being pretty was like a needle piercing his flesh, however, and he had to put a brake on his mouth before he blurted something he might regret later.

“Wehavehobbies. Making your life hell is one of ’em.” Teague crossed his arms over his chest. “But seriously…” His teasing tone eased into something softer. “You doin’ okay?”

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