Page 45 of Roping My Rival

When I enter the cozy shop, my stomach growls, reminding me I’ve barely eaten anything today. Warren stands near a sofa with a low table and steps out of a hug from a man. As I approach, he notices me and… smiles.

Holy shit, he’s never smiled at me like that since I’ve known him.

“Dane, hi. I want you to meet my Uncle Diamond. Well, honorary uncle. He and his husband own this place.”

I offer my hand to the stunning older man. His blue eyes sparkle as he openly appraises me before shaking my hand. “I may be happily married and off the market, but I have a weakness for cowboys.” He winks at Warren, who rolls his eyes. “He’s a Mr. Handsome. Definitely.”

“Uh…thank you?” I think that’s a compliment.

“Just sit, Dane,” Warren says.

Diamond chuckles as Warren’s cheeks dust with colour.

“Rhett cooked today.” Diamond supplies, and Warren’s smile, the one I thought couldn’t get any brighter…does. “Really? What do you have today?”

“Fresh tomato sauce and gnocchi. My dad approves. I’ll bring you both some.”

Diamond leaves us in a flourish, his cowboy boots clicking across the floor.

“Your uncle is…”

“He’s extra.” Warren smiles fondly. “He’s amazing. So is Rhett. You’ll probably meet him at the school. He was a bronc rider until he hurt his back, gosh…at least five years ago. Maybe longer. It was bad, and the doc warned him he could lose some mobility with another injury. He didn’t even go for a second opinion. Diamond already owned this place, and Rhett used to cook with his grandfather. So he walked away while he still could. If he’s not planting gardens at their farm, he’s here helping.”

Warren stops talking suddenly and reaches for my swollen knuckles. “Dane, what the fuck did you do to your hand?”

Pulling back, I flex my fingers to show him it’s fine, even though it hurts. “Oh, I was dumb and reached for a weight, but lost my balance and sort of hit the wall instead.”

Warren studies me closely before releasing a breath.

“Sorry. I told myself before coming in here that we need to tell the truth. We both want the same thing in the ring, and trust is critical. So I believe you.”

I should feel gross that he took my lie so easily, but I’m relieved I don’t need to explain the hand any more than that.

“We’re gonna win, Burke. Did you bring your schedule?”

“Of course.” He huffs. “It’s why I invited you here. We need to make a plan, and quickly. Most of the deadlines will be soon.”

Right. Deadlines for entry fees. My face must give that thought away because he continues. “Don’t forget, the school covers the fees for our team’s events. You don’t need to come up with loads of cash right away.”

Diamond chooses that moment to show up with a mountain of food.

“Listen, Dane, I know we’ve only just met, but I like to feed the cowboys, and you’re no exception. I’ve known Warren since before he had all those muscles and was a grumpy teenager obsessed with his rabbits.” Warren groans, and a genuine smile forms on my lips with the image of Warren and fluffy bunnies. “This is my welcome and good luck for the season, and I’m sure Rhett will say hello before he leaves. Enjoy.”

Diamond leaves us each with heaping bowls of gnocchi and sauce, garlic bread, and iced tea. It’s awkward eating with a low table and bending forward, so I slide to the floor and lean against the couch as I eat.

“Make yourself at home, Walker.” There’s a smile to Warren’s voice, and he joins me on the floor. “This place isn’t like any other.”

“Not if I’m sitting on the floor to eat.” I moan around the food. “This is fucking delicious, Burke. You grew up with this?”

“Not until I was 15. That’s when Hunter and Gabe adopted me. Diamond and Rhett had just met then, and I spent some time hanging out here. Diamond let me work since I wasn’t in school.” Warren tears a piece of garlic bread off and sneaks a glance my way. “High school, Walker. I didn’t go.”

Warren speaks like he would to a friend. He’s offering me this information like he’s not ashamed of it, and I have to respect that. If only I could spill my secrets as easily as he does.

“Why are you telling me this?” Surely he doesn’t want me to know everything about his past.

Warren puts his fork down with a sigh and shifts to focus directly on me. I like it and hate it.

“Because if we’re partners, I can’t have you…teasing me anymore. I put up with it before because I…I didn’t want to make a scene. Since we need to be in sync and trust each other, that has to stop. I won’t let you be mean to me like that and maybe if you know why it hurts you might be more careful with your words.”