Page 77 of Roping My Rival

I want to fucking shout it to the entire town. The only reason I haven’t is that Dane seems scared to do that.

“No.”

“I think your dad knows already. Or at least suspects.”

“You think so?”

Dane shrugs and turns to leave the barn. “He seems like a guy who doesn’t miss much.”

Well, that’s not wrong. He knew I hid a rabbit in my room when I was 17 overnight after explicitly being told I couldn’t. Although I probably wasn’t as sneaky as I thought I was. But he knew it was me without asking who ate the entire block of cheese that one time. He just looked at the empty spot in the fridge and pinned me with a stare. Not Jesse or Clarence. Me.

So yeah, he might be more observant than I’d like to admit.

“Well, I’m sure he won’t bring it up.”

Dane gives me a look as we exit the barn. “I’m not confident about that.”

“Thank you, Gabe. That was fantastic.”

Dane’s manners are impeccable, and I know it impresses Pops when he stands to help clear the table.

“Please sit. You’re our guest, Dane. The boys can do this.”

Pops raises an eyebrow, and Jesse and I pop up with a nod. “Yes, of course.” Jesse grins as Maise carefully stacks her utensils on her plate for him. “Warren and I will clean up.”

After gathering a load of plates and serving dishes each, Jesse and I clean up the kitchen together.

“You two are having a good start to the season,” Jesse says as he loads the dishwasher.

“We are. We’re very in sync. I don’t know if I could team with someone else.”

Jesse hums in the way that means he thinks there’s more to it. After closing the dishwasher, he leans against the counter as I wash up the pots. After a quick glance towards the dining room, he lowers his voice.

“Something else you want to share?” I stare at Jesse before scrubbing the pot more than it needs. “Dad thinks something is going on with you two.”

The pot splashes into the water, and Jesse laughs.

“Did he say that?”

“Come on, Warren. You never hide feelings well. You’re practically salivating while watching him, and I’m sure it’s not because Pops cooked a damn fine chicken. Which he did, but I’m warning you…. Dad will ask questions.”

“Great. I guess I’ll have to warn Dane.”

“You’re probably too late.”

I follow Jesse’s gaze into the dining room and watch Dane step onto the back porch with Dad. The place where all our dates get ‘The Talk.’

“Oh god. Kill me now.”

“He seems nice, but, ah…I have to ask you something.”

“About Dane?”

“Yeah, and I’m not being nosy, I swear, but this guy came by the school last week and said he was Dane’s uncle. He was looking for him and asked if I could give him his address so he could surprise him if he wasn’t at the school. He looked kinda shady, and even if I knew his address, I wouldn’t give it. Which I told the guy, and then he just lingered in the parking lot for a while. It was seriously creepy. Anyway, I told Rhett since he was there, and he said take a photo and see if he comes up on an internet search.”

My blood rushes in my ears as my gaze goes to the picture window in the dining room. Dad is talking to Dane, and I turn to Jesse. “Does Dad know?”

“Not yet.”