Page 18 of The Cowboy's Cabaret

Princess

WES WE HAVE STRUCK GOLD! I think I have an idea!!!! I have so much to say, let me voice memo it!!

I’m anticipating her voice memo, when the phone vibrates with an incoming call. Confused, I accept the call when Dahlia’s beautiful face appears on screen, but she’s not looking at the camera and she’s yapping away.

“—and then we could apply for funding, maybe a grant? Something like this would be so cool, but I think I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me know what you think, I’m so excited.”She’s waving her hand excitedly and I realize she doesn’t know she video called me.

“Hi.” I watch the confusion change her expression and she looks down at the phone with a smile.

“Hi, yourself. What are you doing here?”

“You called me. I only answered and there you were.” Not that I’m complaining, a video call seems more intimate—intimate because I’m shirtless in bed and Dahlia is clearly in her pajamas. Based on her blush, she’s having the same realization.

“I’m so sorry I must have clicked to video call by mistake. I can text it if you’re going to bed.” Her gaze drifts to my naked chest, all curls and tattoos. I can’t help but put my arms behind my head, flexing even more. Shameless, sure, but her heated stare makes it worth it. I smirk, letting her know I don’t mind her perusal one bit.

“I’m just lying here, not going to bed yet. What’s up?”

“Oh, well okay. Like I was saying, I had an idea for my thesis and I think you might be able to help me with it. What if I wrote about outdoor therapy? You know, being in nature, working with horses. Not in a wilderness cult way, but in a way where you could learn to care for horses or farm animals and also start therapy. I know a lot of teenagers hate to sit in a stuffy office with some buttoned up asshole, so what if they didn’t have to? I’m still brainstorming, but it’s the first thing that doesn’t make me want to quit school and join a traveling circus.”

I gotta give it to her, it’s a cool idea. When all the shit went down with my dad, it felt like the therapist they tried to stick me with didn’t give a fuck if I lived or died. Maybe that’s an exaggeration from my clouded teenaged mind, but he had way too many questions about the wrong things. Why do I feel so angry? Why don’t I work towards forgiveness? That shit was laughable, my dad beat me and lost custody, yet I’m the one who needs to do the work. I walked out of his office and I told my caseworker if she made me go back, I’d run for it. She didn’t give up, she pivoted.

At the time, I didn’t realize she was actually helping me by taking me on walks or drawing with me. None the wiser, I opened up more and more until she trusted I’d give therapy another shot.

Regular therapy didn’t necessarily work for me as a kid, but she didn’t give up because I needed something different—which is exactly what Dahlia is suggesting.

“It makes sense, Dahlia. I like it. A lot. Feels like it could really make a difference. You need a farm? Horses?” I waggle my eyebrows at her.

“You offering? Would Jasper even be okay with this?” The way her face scrunches up, I’m wondering if Jasper didn’t give her the same shit he gave me about our friendship.

“I’d have to talk to him, but I’m sure he’d see the benefit. In all honesty, the farm is struggling as it is, so it wouldn’t be the worst thing to try something new. Why the face?”

“I mean Jasper doesn’t seem like my biggest fan. He kinda questioned us hanging out and what I wanted from you. He seems protective,” she says softly.

While Jasper is fiercely loyal, I still don’t know it’s the reason for his meddling.

“Nah, don’t worry, I’ll talk to him about it. I’m happy to hear you got some inspiration.” I’m not ready to hang up yet. Not when I have her here bare faced, wet hair loosely braided over her shoulder, talking to me while I’m laying in bed. “Tell me about your day.” It’s comfortable, familiar.

She launches into a story about the leaky pipe in her shower and her shows coming up this week. The club is doing renovations this weekend, so she works Thursday night this week rather than Friday and Saturday.

I listen intently, allowing myself the fantasy she’s here in my bed, head on my chest, while I caress her arms. We talk well into the night, only saying good night when she starts to doze off in the middle of telling me her favorite scary movie villains. I wish her sweet dreams and selfishly hope those dreams are sweet on me.

THIRTEEN

morning, wood you want to come to the farm?

Wesley

Morning comes far too quicklyafter my late night talking with Dahlia. I don’t even mind the sleepiness in my eyes because the more time I spend with her, the greedier I get. I understand why she’s so adamant against something more between us, but I want it anyway. She let it slip last night she thought I was hot when I defended her at the concert. Of course, I’ll never let her live it down, especially after hearing her embarrassed giggles. I think about the way she bit her lip and shook her head—no, I was actually kidding—attempting to backpedal when I said she had a crush.

I’d wait all the time she needed if there was a chance she could be mine for real one day. Between her kind heart and silly antics—she’s fun and smart, beautiful and loving. I’d be a fool not to soak it up. I can’t help the way I feel about her, it’s damn near impossible. Aside from her generally glowing personality, she’s a fucking smoke show too.

Thinking of Dahlia’s body has me clenching my fists, the way her body sits so fucking stacked like my dream girl. I should get out of bed before this line of thinking takes the turn it does far too often lately and allow my mind to visualize what it’d be like with her.

I don’t get out of bed and before I know it, my imagination has run wild. Fuck, I would worship every inch of her beautiful body. It’s not long before I’m blowing all over my stomach and fist. I exhale, looking down at the mess I’ve made feeling like a fucking creep and reassure myself friendship with Dahlia is better than nothing at all. But maybe I could consider jerking off to literally anything else other than her.

I seekout Jasper once I’m doing my rounds on the farm, finding him in the orchard behind the main house. The small plot of trees is mostly barren, but still carries the familiar apple scent I grew up with.

“Any luck with the bank this week?”