George expected to spend the night at home with Levi, but Levi surprised the hell out of him by willingly driving them both all the way to Garrett and the privacy of his tiny house. They slept in, both too tired to do more than collapse with all three kitties somewhere close by, and it was the best night of George’s life.
The best next day, too. They spent New Year’s Day doing a whole lot of nothing other than snacking and sex. Leading up to the new year, George had given serious thought to taking the next step into anal sex, but he couldn’t see them taking that step yet. Maybe one day in the future but not now. He loved the sex they had, and Levi seemed perfectly content with it, too. They were creating their own relationship, their own rules. They didn’t have to measure what they did or did not do against other couples.
An orgasm was an orgasm, and George adored everyone single one he shared with Levi.
The next week passed in a similar way to the previous one with two big changes. First, Shawn and Robin closed on their house, and George enjoyed a celebratory teleconference call with the pair plus Levi to toast the good news. George even got a phone tour of the house, which needed a lot of TLC but was charming and just the right size for the couple. The second change, which George kept to himself for now, was a cold call to Arthur Garrett’s horse rescue inquiring about employment.
George still thought about the rescue and the horses they brought in for rehabilitation. Some of those beautiful animals ended up at the ranch. Others were sold to vetted owners. Some retired at the rescue for the rest of their natural days, and George was interested in the process. While they didn’t have any current openings for someone like him (with no actual experience with horses or rehab), it was tangible proof to George that he was open to a new career. To doing something bigger than closed-captions for porn. Maybe even moving closer to Levi.
With the ghost town due to reopen in roughly two more weeks, Levi’s spare time was dwindling. George decided to take a bit of extra time off—and by time off, he crammed in as much work as he could into three whole days so he could take three more off—and spend a few days with Levi. That turned into spending time with Shawn and Robin, and helping them do some work around their new house.
The house was midcentury, one story with two bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms. Their patch of land was small, but the backyard showed remnants of what might have once been a vegetable garden and could be replanted if the pair got ambitious. The floor plan was a little boxy, compared to how open George’s apartment was, but Shawn and Robin also didn’t have the budget for a huge renovation to open it up. For now, the pair said, this house would work for them.
George loved getting his hands dirty. The biggest job was renovating the kitchen, which had come without working appliances and with outdated cabinets that refused to be cleaned to matter what they threw at them. Their quartet spent a fun morning demolishing the kitchen and hauling the debris to the dump in the back of Levi’s truck. After a long day of hard work, George slept like a rock next to Levi and the cats.
The next day, they yanked up a ton of old carpet to reveal gorgeous hardwood floors that needed some sanding and refinishing. Shawn was beside himself with joy over the discovery. “I will never understand why people covered gorgeous wood floors with carpet,” he said during their lunch break that day. “Wood floors are so much easier to sweep, especially if we get a pet.”
“A pet?” Levi parroted.
“We’ve discussed options but made no decisions,” Robin replied. “As much as we’d both like a dog, neither of us is keen on keeping the poor thing kenneled for eight or more hours a day while we’re at work.”
“Cats are great and very independent.”
“And they tear up furniture.”
“Not if you train them not to. My girls are very well behaved.”
“We’re still discussing it,” Shawn said. “And we’re nowhere close to a place where we can get a pet. The house still needs lots of work and we haven’t even moved in completely yet.”
“Did Judson give you guys any kind of deadline on leaving the cabin?” George asked.
“No, because he’s that amazing, but Robin and I agreed we want to be moved in here by mid-February. That way, if Judson needs to hire any new horsemen before the summer season gets into full swing, he’ll have the space. He’s been more than generous letting us live there for as long as we have, considering neither of us technically works for the ranch. We work for Mack.”
“The good news is,” Robin added, “neither of us has a lot of stuff to move over from the cabin. Once we’ve got the floors and kitchen situated, all we need to do is buy furniture. I mean, I’d carve it all from wood if I could but a couch is a lot more complicated than a chess set.”
George startled. “You play chess?”
“Not me, but Shawn is really good. He even taught Slater’s old roommate Hugo how to play.”
“My grandfather taught me to play,” Shawn said after he ate a handful of kettle-cooked chips. “We’d play late into the night and snack the whole time. It’s a game I enjoy, and I like spreading that joy to other people. Do you play, George?”
“I don’t but I’m willing to learn,” George replied. The more he hung out with the other couple, the more he admired the strength of their relationship. “I remember watching the film Searching for Bobby Fischer when I was a kid and being fascinated by the game. But my parents wouldn’t let me try it because my focus needed to be on skating the whole time. No distractions.”
“You mentioned skating once before. Is that what you used to do?”
George popped a chip into his mouth to give himself a moment to collect his thoughts. He wasn’t ashamed of his past anymore, or of the impulsive decision he’d made to quit. And he didn’t want to keep hiding from his new friends. “Yes. I was a figure skater, and I could have possibly made it on to the Olympic team, but I chose another path.” A path that wouldn’t kill me.
“Wow, that’s impressive. I’m about as athletic as a worn sneaker.”
“You do pretty damned good on a horse,” Robin said. “You got yourself up in the saddle on your first try, unlike a lot of other people I know. I remember the week that Wes and his crew were here for a vacation-slash-bridal shower. Talk about a bunch of greenhorns who either needed a boost or the steps.”
“George did pretty darn good his first time mountin’ a horse,” Levi added. “You and Figuro made a fine matched set.”
“I do love riding,” George replied. “Horses are amazing animals.” He nearly brought up his interest in a possible career change but he didn’t want to get too serious on such a fun-filled day. They had a lot of work left to do once lunch was over, and he hadn’t told anyone—not even Orry—that he was interested in the horse rescue.
“They are that. You can look a good horse in the eyes and see they’ve got an old soul.” Levi held his gaze a beat. “Kind of like with some people.”
George grinned.
By the end of the day, all the old carpet was gone, most of the staples were removed, and there was only a bit of crusty glue left to be sanded off before the floors could be restained and varnished. George was exhausted in the very best way, and he fell asleep on the tiny home’s couch while attempting to watch a movie with Levi. Levi woke him, and they stumbled upstairs to bed with the cats.
The next morning, they made love in a familiar, tender way. George adored how they had sex. It was exactly what he wanted: unhurried, passionate, and perfectly right for them. Occasionally, he worried that his disinterest in anal sex would wear on Levi, make him resent their relationship, but Levi never pushed. Never pressured George into anything he wasn’t comfortable with, and that was something he was only used to from Orry. The lack of pressure. Everyone else in George’s life had always pushed him. Pushed him to skate better, faster. To lose weight and be slimmer. To be the best.
All Levi ever asked George to be was himself.
The last day George was in town, their quartet mostly worked on the floors. The kitchen cabinets were due to arrive tomorrow, and they’d hired professional installers to do the work. “Absolutely worth the money to do it right,” Robin said. “Shawn deserves the best kitchen we can afford.”
“Any kitchen is fine,” Shawn replied, his cheeks red. “But this new one is infinitely better than what used to be here. And don’t they say that kitchens sell houses? So if we decide to move in the future, we’ll have a great selling point.”
“You just bought the house and you’re thinking about moving?” George asked.
“No, not anytime soon. But we both know that the future is malleable, and we probably won’t work at the ghost town forever. I could get a kitchen job offer, Robin could get some other sort of offer. This is our home for now, though, and we’re going to take life one day at a time.”
“Best way to take it,” Levi said. “One day at a time. One issue at a time.” He caught and held George’s gaze. “One promise at a time.”
George smiled.
Being driven back to the apartment—home no longer felt like the right word without Levi there—sucked but it was a necessary evil. Since Orry was working until eleven, they spent some quality time in George’s bedroom before Levi had to leave. He’d enjoyed the last few days helping Shawn and Robin fix up their house, and he hoped to spend a few days next week if possible. But George needed to work, and the ghost town opened for the new season a week from tomorrow, which meant Levi, Shawn and Robin would all be busy preparing.
He worried a bit about Levi going back to work full time after getting used to him being available at the drop of a hat. That was part of being in an adult relationship, though. Managing their schedules with their personal time.
Part of being an adult was also facing his past and, that night, alone in his room, George searched for a video of his last big skate. The footage wasn’t the best, and his stomach ached as he pressed play. Then the music filled his room the same way it had once filled his soul and his muscles, and it eased that ache. He recalled the joy of gliding across the ice. Of performing perfect jump combinations to thunderous applause. Of spinning so fast on one skate he thought he’d fly away into the heavens.
And he smiled. Truly, genuinely smiled. He’d been talented. He’d had potential. But skating hadn’t been his future. Maybe one day he’d have the courage to find a rink and put on skates again. To remember what he’d loved for so many years—until he lost that love.
Not yet, but at least now he could look at his past self and see beyond the shame. See the joy he’d once possessed for the sport. Maybe he could even teach Levi to ice skate the way Levi had taught him to ride a horse.
I think I’d like that.
Orry impressed the hell out of him by taking off all his varied jobs for opening day of the ghost town. He, George and Zoey drove out to Garrett for the event. Even though Robin and Levi did trick riding demos every day, they had a more elaborate demonstration planned for opening day, and George was pleasantly surprised when Levi led their trio into the town before the official opening time of ten o’clock.
At the corral where Levi and Robin performed, Levi introduced George to Doug Peletier. His father. Doug had flown out to support his sons, just like he’d been there last year, and George was absolutely floored by the kindness of the older man.
“Never thought I’d see the day Levi settled down with someone worthy of him,” Doug said as he shook George’s hand. “I never heard him talk about that Grant fellow the way he talks about you, George. You must be a special person.”
George’s face blazed. “Levi is amazing, sir. He’s talented and kind and I’m honored to be in his life. He gives me so much.”
“Don’t sir me, son. Doug is fine.” Something in his tender expression suggested that maybe one day, George would have the honor of calling him Dad.
His heart turned over in a weird way at that thought. George hadn’t spoken to his own father in years. Not on holidays or birthdays. And as much as part of him missed his biological parents, George was content with the separation. It was healthier for all of them. George wasn’t going to reach out to people who’d always treated him like a prize instead of a son. He had more pride than that. And a hell of a lot more self-worth.
They hung around the corral until the first demo at eleven, and George was elated when Slater and Derrick joined their group. Levi and Robin were amazing, performing all kinds of roping and riding tricks, a few of which required volunteers from the audience for simple tasks. As much as George wanted to volunteer and interact with his boyfriend, he’d long ago lost the desire for others to stare at him. The show received loud applause, and George hung around long enough to give Levi a kiss.
Afterward, Orry and Zoey wanted to wander the ghost town, and George ended up with Doug. They walked up and down Main Street, visiting the shops and tables of locals who were selling their arts and crafts, similar to the big July 4th celebration. The weather was sunny and crisp, and George basked in the joy of parental pride, even if the pride wasn’t directed at him. Doug told him new stories of the rodeo and George soaked in every single word.
They had lunch at the saloon, and Shawn served them personally so he could chat with Doug for a few minutes. George didn’t know Shawn’s entire backstory, but he soaked in the very father-son dynamic between the pair, their connection through their shared love of Robin. So much love existed between the people who worked at both Bentley and Clean Slate, and George had somehow found himself caught up in it. All because he’d stupidly allowed Adrian into the apartment.
While that encounter had been terrifying, it had set George on the path he now walked, and he couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Or with anyone except Levi.
George cheered his boyfriend on during the second big demonstration, which was similar to the first, but just different enough that he didn’t get bored. After the applause died down, Levi came over and planted a long kiss on George that left his face hot and his libido up. Levi was practically glowing and George soaked in his positive energy.
“You did an amazing job, son,” Doug said. “I think you’re even better than you were last year.”
“I’ve had a lot more practice since then,” Levi replied with a bark of laughter. “Muscle memory woke up a lot this past year. Plus, Zodiac has been a dream to train and work with. You’ve gotta trust your animal and have them trust you for this stuff to work.”
“True words, my boy. You’d be an asset to the rodeo, but I also see the passion you have for the work you do here.”
Levi’s eyebrows furrowed briefly, and George wasn’t sure why. Doug had simply paid him a compliment about his performance today. It wasn’t as if Doug was trying to lure Levi back to Lucky’s.
Was he?
Nah, that was George being paranoid. He couldn’t spend time thinking of ways in which his relationship would fall apart. He had to do exactly what Shawn and Levi had both said: take it one day at a time. One promise at a time. And right now, the biggest promise he’d made was to take care with Levi’s heart. George wasn’t sure if he was in love with Levi or not, but he had incredibly strong feelings. Strong enough that losing the man would hurt. Immensely. But he didn’t want to think about that possibility on such a gorgeous, fun-filled day.
As much as George wanted to spend the night with Levi, it didn’t work out logistically. Levi had to work tomorrow, and Doug was only in town until Monday. George couldn’t be selfish and deny Levi time with his father, so he went home with Orry and Zoey. He genuinely liked Zoey, who was positive, funny, and made Orry laugh. A lot. Orry deserved to laugh as much as he could, after working his ass off these last couple of years.
For the next few weeks, George figured out a driving schedule with Orry and Levi that allowed George to stay over during the ghost town’s “weekend.” They were closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, giving all the staff got proper time off, and it not only gave George time with Levi, but it allowed them to continue helping Shawn and Robin renovate their house. Once the kitchen was complete, they moved on to the hardwood floors in the rest of the house, sanding and staining, and George enjoyed the labor. And the company. Miles occasionally joined them for a few hours too, since his own husband was busy running the ranch on those days off. George had never felt so accepted by a group of people in his life.
Never truly felt like part of a family who loved him for who he was, not for his potential.
Levi came into the city for Valentine’s Day, despite working a long day at Bentley. They shared a late dinner at a nice restaurant—George was a touch nervous about it but no one stared or cared who he was or used to be—followed by a lot of time in George’s bedroom. Touching and moving and sucking and simply making each other feel good. Afterward, they lay together under the covers, tangled into one person with George’s head tucked under Levi’s chin.
“Does it bother you that I don’t want to try anal sex?” George asked before he could censor himself.
“No.” Levi didn’t hesitate for a second. “We have sex the way that makes sense to us and that feels right. Sex isn’t one size fits all, George. There’s no have to, there’s only what we want and desire.” He slid a hand down to gently squeeze George’s hip, prompting George to prop up on one elbow and look his boyfriend in the eyes. “I desire you, George Thompson. Your mind, your spirit, your courage, and yeah, your sexy body. I love what we do together.” His blue eyes glimmered in a brand-new way a moment before Levi said, “I love you.”
George’s heart trilled with joy and adoration, and he kissed Levi breathless before saying, “I love you, too. I’ve never been in love before but this feels right. I love you, Levi.”
“Yeah?” Levi rolled George to his back and kissed him for a long time, until their cocks both took notice of the friction. They came close together, rutting through their releases, creating something unique to them. A relationship defined by their own terms.
And George would fight any battle necessary to protect it.