Right Move--A Gay Cowboy Romance

by A. M. Arthur

  For all that George was excited that Orry was dating, he was still confused by the subterfuge. “Why did you think you needed to lie to me about seeing someone? I want you to be happy, and if dating this girl makes you happy then great. I’m all for it.”

  He looked up. “Really? It’s been just you and me for so long. You aren’t jealous?”

  “No.” George didn’t have to consider his answer for a moment. “You have taken such good care of me for the last seven years, and I can’t possibly be jealous over you finding someone who makes you happy. As long as she makes you happy.”

  The grin on Orry’s face said everything without words. “Yeah. She’s pretty great. Believe it or not, she was a ride share client. We hit it off talking in the car, and she actually told me to call her, so I did.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Zoey. I really like her, George.”

  “Good.” He reached across the small table to squeeze Orry’s wrist. “I’m happy for you. Honestly. So, I, uh.” His stomach seized up tight. “Hope you can be happy for me, too.”

  Orry quirked an eyebrow. “Why? Did you meet some hot chick while on vacation?”

  “No, I didn’t meet a hot chick.” Now or never. George steeled his spine and said, “I’m dating Levi. I’m gay.”

  Orry stared blankly, then pulled his hand away from George’s. “You’re dating Levi? He’s like, a bazillion years older than you.”

  “Eleven years.” And George was a bit turned around by the fact that Orry wasn’t reacting more strongly to the whole I’m gay announcement.

  “Eleven is a lot, dude, especially when you’ve never dated before. Like, literally never dated anyone.”

  “Well, who have you dated?”

  “I don’t know, a few girls casually. Have you ever even had sex?”

  George’s face went hot all over. “Um.”

  “Oh fuck, forget I asked.” Orry rubbed his palms into his eyes. “I don’t need any mental images of my baby brother having sex with anyone of any gender, thank you very much.” He put his hands flat to the table and adopted his big-brother stare. “Are you guys being safe?”

  “Yes, we’re being safe.” They hadn’t reached a level yet where condoms were essential, but Orry said he didn’t need those details, and George left it there. “I really care about Levi. He’s kind and considerate, and he has this inner peace that makes me feel comfortable. Safe. I had the best time with him this week, and we agreed to keep seeing each other. I think you’ll really like him if you get to know him.”

  “Okay.” Orry frowned. “Twin question. How long have you known you’re gay?”

  “Known? Maybe a year or two. Suspected? All the way back to skating. Admiring other boys way more than the girls. And not just for their technique. And since we’re playing this game, when did you know you’re straight?”

  His brother laughed. “Fourth grade, when Megan Winkler hit puberty and her boobs got kind of big, and I really wanted to know what they felt like.”

  “Well, that’s vivid.”

  “Yeah.” His mirth faded away beneath another serious frown. “I just need to know you are absolutely okay with everything you’ve done with Levi. I know the stuff I did when I was sixteen was out of desperation and drug addiction, and I remember how much some stuff hurt. I don’t ever want you to be in pain, George.”

  George stood, moved around the table, and knelt beside Orry’s chair. Pulled Orry down to the floor so they were facing each other on an equal level. “I promise you I have never felt pain while I’m with Levi. He is careful. Generous. And yes, he’s my first, so maybe it won’t last forever with him. But I swear that I am safe with him no matter what. I believe that with my whole heart.”

  Orry searched his eyes for several long moments before saying, “Okay. I trust you, and I believe you. I do want you to be happy, I swear. I guess I’ve spent seven years trying to protect you, and I never really thought about what would make you happy and safe, rather than just safe.”

  “Probably because I could never look beyond the boundaries of our apartment. I was terrified of being controlled and manipulated again, and I hid from everyone. But I don’t have any of those fears when I’m with Levi. He is...everything I never knew I needed. And I want to be with him for as long as he’ll have me. Or for as long as I believe our relationship is healthy for me.”

  “Good.” Orry brought George’s right hand up and kissed his knuckles. “That makes me feel better about this whole thing. Not the gay thing, I don’t care about that. I just needed to hear you say you want a healthy relationship.”

  “Because of Adrian?”

  “Mostly. You let him in the apartment this past summer.”

  “I know, and it was a stupid decision. But I promise it won’t happen again. He has no more power over me. He’s a ghost, part of my past. And if he rings the bell again, I swear I’ll call the police.”

  “Good.” Orry hauled him into a hug. “I love you.”

  “Me too.”

  “So you went on vacation and snagged yourself a cowboy, huh?”

  George laughed as he pulled back, beyond grateful for his twin’s easy acceptance of his truth. “I guess you could say that. I think we were both nudging in that direction, but the close proximity kind of forced the issue. In a good way. No bad force.”

  “Good. So am I allowed to be mad at you for telling Levi you’re gay before you told me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. I mean, I’m not mad, but I’m glad I have the right to be if I want to.”

  “You’re not?”

  “No, dummy. You’re my brother and I love you no matter what. I’m glad you’re finally starting to get a life. I know how badly Adrian hurt you, and I love knowing that he doesn’t have a hold over you anymore. You’re living the life you deserve.”

  George blinked hard as his eyes burned. “We both are, brother. Finally. No more letting the past control us, right?”

  “Right. So when do I get to pull the whole ‘you hurt my brother and I hurt you’ speech on Levi? It’s kind of my duty as your twin.”

  “You only get to do that if I get to pull it on Zoey.”

  “Never. Got it.”

  “Exactly. And maybe the four of us can even go out on a double date.”

  Orry’s eyebrows went up, even as his lips twisted into a grin. “Like in a restaurant? You actually want to go out?”

  “Eventually. Being at the ranch this past week and around other people in a safe environment...it was something I needed.” George was beyond proud of himself for everything he’d accomplished this week. And maybe he’d struggle with anxiety for the rest of his life but he knew deep down he could manage it. It didn’t have to control him anymore. He could find new ways to control it. “I mean, I’m not ready to go hit up a crowded bar on a Friday night, but a small casual place sounds nice. Maybe even a movie.”

  “Who are you and where is my actual twin?” But the excitement in Orry’s eyes was everything in that moment. He hauled George into another hug. “I am so fucking proud of you. To be honest, now that I’m seeing Zoey, I’ve been thinking about a way to bring up you getting out more. Meeting people. I guess you took care of that all by yourself.”

  “By rescuing a cat.”

  “And visiting the ghost town. And agreeing to Thanksgiving dinner. You made those choices. You took those steps. You can do anything you set your mind to, you always could. I think you just forgot how for a while.”

  “A long while.” George’s stubbornness and drive for success had taken him all the way to the World Championship once. Those traits would also serve to get George out of this apartment and into the real world. Living in it. Not hiding anymore.

  And for the first time in a long time, he couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow brought.

  Chapter Eighteen


  Levi didn’t sleep well on Saturday night, his body keenly aware of how alone he was. Even though he and George had only shared a bed once, the younger man had still been nearby. A living, breathing presence. Maybe Levi had three cats all over the bed who occasionally purred if he petted them, but it simply wasn’t the same.

  He finally forced himself to get up, put his running gear on, and head out for his morning exercise. The sun was barely up and he enjoyed watching it paint the sky in brilliant hues of purple, red and orange. Very few clouds yet. Christmas Day was Friday. Would George want to spend part of the holiday together? For sure he always spent it with Orry, but Levi would love to see him for a few hours.

  Maybe after he and Robin paid tribute to Xander. They’d already talked about it becoming a yearly tradition, and Levi had agreed without thinking it through. Yes, he’d be here this year, and he was definitely sticking around for another season at the ghost town. But his wanderlust still returned when he thought about Lucky’s Rodeo. They were at their winter home in Santa Fe right now. If he hadn’t met George, he probably would have hitched up his house and driven out there for a few weeks.

  Now he had a reason to stick around the area.

  As long as he and George were still together in a year. And seeing as Levi was the guy’s first boyfriend...that future was difficult to predict. He could kind of imagine it, though. George had traveled a lot in his youth to various competitions and seen all parts of the country. Then he’d spent the last seven holed up in an apartment with his brother. Maybe he’d want to travel in the tiny home with Levi. See the United States together with the cats.

  Maybe.

  He usually ran for about half an hour, and despite the cold morning, had a decent sweat by the time he got home. Right into the shower to wash it off and refresh himself, the warm water helping soothe equally warmed-up muscles. Before rehab he hadn’t been a runner, preferring the hard work of the rodeo—including swinging bales of hay into a truck—as his exercise. But he’d found a way to center himself when he ran, with peaceful music playing over his ear buds.

  Part of him wanted to invite George to run with him, but he remembered the odd look on George’s face when they’d first talked about Levi’s running habit. Almost spooked. It probably had to do with skating and his bouts with anorexia and bulimia. Bad memories of overexercising, probably. Maybe one day Levi could help him find new, better memories to overshadow the bad ones.

  After a bowl of granola for breakfast, he went into the yard and played with the cats for a while. Sporty was stalking something in the grass, and a few minutes later, very proudly trotted over with a struggling field mouse in her mouth. Levi gently extracted the poor thing, then took it into the woods and set it free under a bush where Sporty couldn’t get at it again.

  She liked to hunt but never killed what she brought him, as if sensing he would disapprove of hunting for sport when she was fed plenty of quality cat food.

  He wanted to call George just to hear his voice. They’d spent an entire week together, and it was odd not having him around. But since he didn’t want to come across as stalkerish he would wait for George to call him. Robin, predictably, showed up at Levi’s house around eleven with an expectant smile.

  “How’d the honeymoon go?” he asked.

  Levi nearly dropped his mug of tea. “What?”

  “The family with the little girl. They were on a second honeymoon or something, right?” Robin winked.

  The big jerk had been trying for a spit take and failed, assuming correctly that Levi would think Robin was asking after his and George’s vacation together. “Yes, and they told us they had a great time. Even invited us over for dinner if we’re ever in their area.”

  “Us, huh? Are you and George officially a thing?”

  “Yes.” Levi sat on one end of the narrow sofa, and Robin joined him. “We are officially dating.”

  “Good for you, dude. I know how gun-shy you were about dating after what Grant did to you.” Robin’s smiling face when serious. “Did you tell George about that?”

  “Last night. We spent some time together here before I drove him home. Talked. Decided we wanted to try long distance. I mean, an hour isn’t too bad considering the distance other people have had to overcome, but the Thompsons only have one car, and I get the feeling George doesn’t drive much.”

  “That’ll be a lot of driving for you.”

  “Yeah, but after spending most of my life on the road that doesn’t really bother me.”

  Robin studied his face a beat. “What does bother you then?”

  “I’m George’s first relationship. I really like him and feel good when I’m around him. He has a genuinely kind soul that’s a little bruised, but finally trying to heal. I suppose I’m a little scared I’m...is there an opposite of a rebound relationship?”

  “So you’re his first and you’re worried you’re just practice?”

  “A little bit. I don’t see George doing that consciously or on purpose, but it is a worry. I took a huge chance on trusting Grant so soon in my recovery, and it blew up in my face in a spectacularly painful way.”

  “I know it did but you have to give yourself permission to take a second chance. I did that with Shawn, and now look at us. About to close on a house in a few weeks.”

  “True.” Levi had fewer years between his heartbreak with Grant than Robin had with losing Xander, but Xander’s death had been a much different sort of heartbreak. And Robin had nearly lost his life from the force of his grief. But he was happy now, moving in with his boyfriend, and probably making plans to propose. Xander had resisted marrying Robin for years before Robin wore him down.

  Levi had a feeling he wouldn’t need to work as hard with Shawn.

  Will George want to get married one day?

  That was too far into the future to even ponder today. “So did you wander all the way from the ranch just to pick my brain about George?”

  “Nah, Shawn and I were invited to lunch at Mack’s place. I figured I’d pester you while Shawn visits with Wes and Miles.”

  “No Reyes? The ranch is closed to guests so he doesn’t have that excuse.”

  “I’m sure Reyes will be there to pester Mack. You should come up with me.”

  Levi shook his head. “No thanks, I wasn’t directly invited and don’t like to crash other people’s gatherings.”

  Robin whipped out his phone and started texting. Sure enough, about a minute later, Levi’s phone pinged. A texted invite from Mack for Levi to join them for lunch. “You are such a dork.”

  “A dork who looks out for my brother. Seriously, though, I do hope things work out with George. He’s a great guy, and you two always look happy when you’re together.”

  “Unlike whenever you’re with Shawn and you always look constipated?”

  Robin growled softly. “Those are fightin’ words, Peletier.” He lunged, and Levi found himself wrestling with his best friend on the house’s small living room floor. They tickled and pinched like kids having a brawl, neither of them really trying to win, and the entire production made Levi hoot with laughter.

  “Okay, uncle,” Levi said. “I was joking. You two are adorable together.”

  “That’s better.” Robin stood, then offered Levi his hand for a boost up. “Friends?”

  “Nope, you attacked me. We won’t be friends again for exactly five minutes.”

  “Now who’s the dork?”

  “Still you. I’m defending my pride here.”

  Baby came in through the cat door, probably to see what all the fuss was about, and Robin scooped her up. “Your daddy is being silly, little girl.”

  “Yes, well, you technically started it.” Levi reached over to scratch under Baby’s chin. “Why am I friends with such a silly man?”

  “You keep me around for my charming good looks.”

  “Y
ou wish.” A head bumped Levi’s ankle and he bent to get Ginger, careful of her injured leg. She instantly began purring. “Hey, princess. Are you jealous?” That got him an adorable chin nuzzle. Then she squirmed until Levi put her down.

  She went up the stairs and stood at the top, and she began to yowl. As if sensing someone else wasn’t there who was supposed to be.

  Cats know, and she misses George.

  “He’ll be back again soon, girl,” Levi said.

  “Come on, it’s getting close to lunchtime.” Robin kissed Baby’s head and put her down. “When are you talking to George today?”

  Levi led the way out of the house. “This afternoon probably. George wanted to talk to his brother about us and a few other things, and I said he could take his time and call when he was ready.”

  “He’s coming out?”

  “That’s the plan.” He didn’t know Orry well, and hopefully, the conversation went in George’s favor. He imagined Orry would fully support his twin, but just in case things went badly, Levi would be there for George no matter what.

  * * *

  Lunch was fun, as was every meal Levi shared at the Garrett-Bentley cabin. Good food, good friendship, and always amusing stories from Wes about his acting adventures, or from Reyes about that week’s guests. No one asked him directly if he and George were dating, but he did get curious looks from Wes and Miles when Reyes talked about the adorable Briggs-King family and their daughter.

  Levi would answer if they asked but he wasn’t much on freely sharing certain personal details of his life. He hadn’t even told his own father what Grant had done to him, only that they’d broken up. Dad would love George, and he’d be thrilled Levi was dating again.

  “What kind of cookies are you guys baking this afternoon?” Miles asked Shawn.

  “We’re doing double-chocolate crinkle cookies,” Shawn replied. Last Christmas, as a way to perk Shawn up when he was missing his late mother, Robin had asked Shawn to teach him how to bake. They ended up doing Nine Days of Cookies, one new cookie each day leading up to Christmas, and they left them in the guesthouse kitchen for all the hands to share. They’d decided to make it a tradition.