When they finally came up for air, Austin grinned with his eyes closed. “Yep, that was exactly what I needed. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’m hoping about a day, no longer than two.” Slowly, Austin opened his eyes, and Kitt stepped away, but kept his gaze intently focused on Austin, trying to memorize everything he could about the man.
“I hope your ass is as sore as mine. And don’t call Fisker. Jack off until I get back!” Austin said as he walked over toward his truck. Kitt couldn’t keep the smile from forming on his face. Austin was jealous of Sean, and as wrong as it was, it did great things to his heart.
Kitt watched Austin drive off only then remembering Kylie. He turned quickly, wondering if she’d heard the jack off remark, but both she and her horse were gone. She’d finally got a clue and gave them privacy. She’d also picked up their camp, leaving the site mostly clean. Kitt lifted the cooler into the back of his pickup and checked the fire pit one last time. He sat there alone a minute, tugging on his boots. He already missed Austin even before he got inside his truck and headed for his cabin.
Chapter 13
“You should’ve told me. We’re a team! I always thought it was you and me against the world,” Kylie said, following Kitt into his bedroom.
“You’re supposed to concentrate on school, not come back here,” Kitt said back just as confrontational. He slammed the bathroom door and locked it behind him so she wouldn’t follow him in. The door didn’t stop her from yelling at him through it.
“Just tell me why you never trusted me enough to tell me about yourself,” Kylie yelled. It took a full minute of him standing on one side of the door, imagining her on the other side, both just staring at the closed door.
“Kylie, I couldn’t tell you. You’re a little girl…” Kitt said. His tone was soft, and he turned from the door to start the shower, not completely drowning her out, but close.
“I’m not a little girl, I’m eighteen years old. And, I guessed it. But, all those trips to Dallas threw me off. Everybody says you just have a thing for city girls,” Kylie called out as Kitt stepped inside the shower. He stayed there longer than normal, hoping she’d get tired of waiting and leave.
He took his time grooming. He thoroughly brushed his teeth, brushed and dried his hair, even shaved and plucked a few unwanted hairs trying to drag it out. Kylie was impetuous, always moving. No way could she stay out there waiting for him for the forty minutes he took in the bathroom.
As a precaution, Kitt wrapped a towel around his waist before he stepped into his bedroom only to be faced with Kylie sitting on his bed, looking at his door. The bottom drawer to his nightstand was open with his latest People magazine in her lap. The issue featured Austin Grainger, People’s Sexiest Man Alive.
“I guess it was more like city boys than girls,” she said, flipping through the pages. “Sorry, couldn’t resist. Now, I get why you have all these magazines around.”
Kitt stalked over to her, frustration clear on his face, and jerked the magazine away from her.
“I’m sorry! Kitt, this is all fine to me. I’m glad to know. But, no one else knows? Not anyone?”
“No one! I haven’t told anyone.” He dropped the magazine back in the drawer, slamming it shut with his foot.
“That makes me feel bad for you. What a lonely life you must’ve led, I’m sorry for you. You’re such a good man. I honestly don’t think people will care. My campus is loaded with banners and petitions about equality for all. And, now that Dad’s gone, he can’t disown you or anything like that,” she said, sorrow now securely in her eyes.
Kitt held the towel in place, pulling jeans and a t-shirt from his closet. He stopped by his dresser, grabbing underwear before he went back to the bathroom to dress.
“They’ll care, and it will ruin everything so you can’t tell. Period, end of story!”
Kylie didn’t respond. Kitt dressed quickly and walked back out into his bedroom. He stopped and stared at his sister, with his socks and boots in hand, waiting to get her promise to keep quiet.
“I already promised you, Kitt, but how crazy is it that my brother’s datin’ Austin Grainger! You are datin’ him, right?” She jumped off the bed, following him as he headed toward the living room.
“I think so. He wants to be together as best as we can. He needs time to get past all the media, but Kylie, I can’t ever come out, and I don’t see him stickin’ around here for any real length of time. He’s just burned out right now, that’s all. He’ll go back to California. So don’t get all excited about it. I don’t think we have any sort of future, but right now it’s cool, I guess,” Kitt said. He sat down on the sofa to pull on his boots, and Kylie sat down beside him.
“I thought he was engaged?” She sat still, her hands in her lap, watching him with his boots.
“Nah, she just works for him. People aren’t as acceptin’ as you think. He had to hide too.” Kitt pushed down on both heels and stood, stomping a couple of times, making sure the boots were tightly on his feet. He made his way to the kitchen, Kylie back on his heels. He pulled sandwich stuff from the refrigerator and began to make them both a sandwich.
“You need to stay at school, not worry about things goin’ on here. We talked about this already. Next year, after you get in the swing of things with balancin’ class and studyin’, but not now,” he said, looking down as he worked.
“The cafeteria food sucks.” Kylie came to stand with her hip propped on the kitchen counter.
“I can give you more money a week. You should’ve said somethin’. I know I talk about how bad things are around here, and it’s still gonna take a few years to pull this place back up, but it’s not as bad as it was. I still have money from sellin’ the land, and I have seven insemination jobs lined up. Did I tell you I might’ve sold a colt to a racin’ farm in Kentucky already? We just need him to get here and let them come see him. So we’re doin’ better, or at least the future’s not so dark anymore,” Kitt said, handing one sandwich to Kylie before taking a big bite of his.
“I shouldn’t have gone to A&M,” Kylie said, and took her sandwich, looking at it but not taking a bite. Kitt saw the concern in her eyes.
“Yes you should’ve and I don’t wanna talk about it anymore. You’re where you need to be. Plus, in eight years we’re gonna need a vet around here.”
“Let’s go back to Austin Grainger. I like that conversation better! Kitt, he’s seriously hot,” Kylie said, finally taking a bite of her sandwich.
“I know, right?” They stood there together with their hips perched on the counter eating. This was how it was with them. They were always comfortable with one another. It was an unconditional kind of deal.
“They could legalize gay marriage, Kitt. It looks like it’s comin’,” she said with her mouth full.
“No way Texas will ever, unless it’s forced on us. And, even if that happens, it’s not gonna happen like that for Austin and I. Kylie, seriously, he’s just here catchin’ his breath. He’s not gonna stick around for too long, or pick some country boy to be with for the rest of his life. It’s just convenient for him for now.” Saying it so candidly to his little sister made Kitt blush a little, but he took another bite, grabbing two Dr. Pepper’s from the refrigerator and shoved one toward his sister.
“You’re wrong about yourself. You’re a catch. He’d be lucky to have you.”
“Whatever! He could get some of those hot male models, not a scarred up, broken nosed, cowboy.” Kitt said with a laugh. The thought was totally ludicrous. He laughed so hard he choked on the soda he drank from.
“Whatever back! Have you looked in the mirror? You’re hot, and I know the ranch’s failin’, but you’re workin’ through it. And, if nothing else, we could sell the land and it would free you up.” Kylie nodded, shoving the last bite of her sandwich in her mouth.
“No one wants this much land in the middle of the desert down here close to nothing. And, I don’t want to have this conversation. Now, seriously, why’re you here thi
s weekend? It seems like I just dropped you off, and if I remember correctly, there was somethin’ about never comin’ back to this town again.”
“I missed you guys…” Kylie smiled as she said it.
“Why?” Kitt cocked an eyebrow.
“Ha ha! I did miss you, and you must really be out of touch. It’s Homecomin’ and you weren’t returnin’ my phone calls. You should come to the game tonight with me,” she said.
“It’s Homecomin’ already? Really? How did I miss that?”
“My guess is you aren’t spendin’ any time in town, just with Austin freakin’ Grainger!” Kylie dumped her napkin in the trash laughing, and put everything back in the refrigerator while Kitt finished his sandwich.
“How’re your grades?” Kitt asked in an attempt to change the subject as he took his last couple of bites. He refused to say another word about Austin.
“So far so good. I’m strugglin’ in Chemistry, but I have a good tutor. I think I can pull a low A if nothing else.”
“Promise to let me know if you need help before it’s too late. I can get online, do that webcam thing and help you.” He tossed his napkin in the trash and looked around for his phone and keys. It was already after nine, and he needed to get started on the day.
“I will. I’m goin’ back to the house. Mama’s gettin' ready for the parade, and Bryanne was gonna paint her fingernails leopard print to match her bow, just in case she wins Homecomin’ Queen.”
“Y’all have fun,” Kitt said, and Kylie followed him out.
“Are you sure you don’t wanna go with us tonight? Everyone’ll be askin’ about you,” Kylie asked, mounting her horse.
“Nah, I gotta catch up on some stuff and check out the baler, get it ready for next week,” Kitt said, getting in his truck and rolling the window down.
“Alright, brother, I love you. I’ll come see you when we get home. Bring you dinner,” she said, turning the horse around. “Kitt, I get that you don’t wanna talk about Austin, but I can tell you like him. I’m happy for you.”
She didn’t wait for an answer, nor did he give one. He just watched her go in the rearview mirror. As she faded away, he stopped watching her and looked at himself.
He couldn’t see why anyone would find him good looking. He had a deep scar in his eyebrow from one of the fights his dad had tried to pick with him. It started above the eye, threading through the brow and up into his forehead. He also had a scar across his bottom lip. Both were fine, thin lines now, but still there. And his nose had been broken at least three times that he remembered. Nothing about him classified as pretty at all.
He also didn’t have those polished hard bodies you got from trainers and gym workouts. Those guys were sculpted from head to toe to have every muscle toned, fit and flowing together. Austin’s body was like that – just hot from head to toe. Kitt sported muscle, but it was different. His muscle came from hard work. They were two completely different things. His thighs were too thick, his ass too round, and the sun had done its fair share of damage to his skin. At twenty-eight years old, the lines were already forming around his eyes and mouth. He was starting to agree with Sean, he should consider sunscreen.
Kitt switched his gaze to his too long hair. It had grown out past the point of whatever style the hairdresser last cut it in, and it was a strange color. Mostly auburn with gold and blond in it, but it was odd. It was all the sun’s doing. The complete study of his overall physique helped settle some of the hope his runaway heart had let filter in last night. No way did he compare to the Seans and Austins of the world.
Kitt might be momentarily happy, but he couldn’t lose sight of the fact that he was convenient and available. Austin had secluded himself here with no one else. After time faded and people stopped caring, Austin could come out and find someone better suited to him, and it was almost laughable how the thought hurt Kitt’s heart. Kitt pushed the pain aside. He’d made the decision last night, committed to this thing between them until Austin decided to leave. Which Austin technically already did…but, if he came back, Kit would enjoy the regular sex and the friendship. He wasn’t going to make anything more out of it. Looking back at the mirror, he nodded to himself to confirm the thought.
He finally reversed the truck and began to back away from the cabin. Focus on his future required he spend a full day at the barn. No more time for distractions. He pulled out on the trail and his phone vibrated. The message was from Austin.
‘I loved waking up in your arms. It’s something I want to repeat as soon and as often as possible. I enjoyed myself last night. I can never decide what’s better, for you to be buried inside me, or me in you... It’s a tough call, but my ass is sore in all the right ways. I shouldn’t be gone more than a day or two. I’ll call as I can. Think about me while I’m gone. Your sister’s lovely. A’
Kitt read the message, and then he read it again. His heart gave a little flip in his chest as he brought the truck to a complete stop in the middle of the trail. After a minute, he began to scold himself. “Stop! It’s not really anythin’ more than sex, so stop reading more into these words! It’s not real. It’s not real. It’s. Not. Real! He doesn’t really want you, you’re just fillin’ time.”
Kitt put the phone down without returning the message. He drove all the way to the barn with the phone sitting beside him. The big white elephant in the cab. Finally, when he came to a stop in front of the barn, he picked the phone back up, warring with himself until he sent a message back.
‘I’m sorry about my sister. Be careful.’ He barely had the phone clipped to his hip before another message came back.
‘Tell me what happened to already have you back to the super quiet attitude. Never mind, don’t answer that. I look forward to convincing you again that I’m for real. Have a good day playing sexy cowboy. I’ll try to call you tonight if I’m not already home.’
Kitt didn’t respond and refused to read the message more than once. He didn’t have the time to be playing phone games when there was so much work to be done. First on the to-do list, the maintenance on the discounted, yet still expensive as hell hay baler he’d bought at auction. Second, see if any orders had come in for all this hay he was about to have up for sale.
Chapter 14
The plane touched down in the bright California sun. The breeze outside was mild, and the temperature perfectly warm, just like always in sunny California. Austin made his way through a private entrance of the small executive airport. He kept his head held low, a ball cap pushed down over his eyes, and his Ray-Ban Avatar’s on, trying to hide himself as much as possible.
A private car waited for him at an exclusive side entrance, and Austin made it almost to the door before the stares started. Little side nudges caught his eye, and he knew he must hurry. He wasn’t fast enough. The pointing started, a few fans approached him, and the paparazzi who hung outside spotted the commotion. Austin never stopped his stride as he scribbled his signature on a couple of open notebooks. He ducked into the backseat of the waiting car within sixty seconds of stepping outside. It didn’t matter how his driver drove, they got surrounded almost immediately with the cameras snapping his picture, trying for any shot they could get. Austin had his phone programmed to alert him when his name was mentioned online, and before he got out of the parking lot, TMZ already posted their shots of him sitting in the car.
The mellow mood of the last few weeks evaporated completely. In its place, a deep disdain smoldered and slowly grated on his nerves. With all certainty, Austin never wanted back into this chaos. If Kitt had any real clue what this world was all about, he’d never again question Austin’s decision to leave.
The drive to his house in the hills of Hollywood took longer than it ever should have. The police finally got involved and escorted him to his driveway, and even then, it was a slow drive. People jumped out in front of the car, risking their lives just to get a shot of him. He even spotted Rich and Mercedes already there, cameras snapping away. They were the two pap
arazzi who had constantly plagued him over the last ten years. They never gave him a break, and now flung questions at him through the car’s side window, like he would ever answer any of them. Dozens of paparazzi blocked his way, even as the gate opened. A police officer stood on guard, keeping everyone at bay as they drove down the driveway.
Austin stayed tense and stone-faced the entire ride. He never looked at any of them. Instead, he kept his head slightly lowered making it harder to get a good shot. He resisted the urge to pull up Kitt’s picture on his phone for fear someone with a great lens might catch it. But, dear God, Austin’s dependent side needed to get a look at Kitt. Kitt represented peace, love and simplicity. Everything that was right in his world. In just a few days, Kitt helped to settle his soul and center him. Amazing, how a chance encounter allowed him to meet someone who so completely turned his world around in such a short time. The realization made Austin wish Kitt was with him now.
“We were quiet, no one knew, I swear. Just me, you, and the driver,” Seth said, meeting him at the car door.
“I know. I watched it fucking happen at the airport.”
They were in the back of the house with high fencing and security, but who knew who might get through. Austin kept his head low, hurrying into the open garage.
“Damn, this is going to complicate things.” Seth kept up with Austin stride for stride.
“Exactly my thought during the entire fucking drive here. Goddamn, I hate those mother fuckers. And those two asswipe fuckers were right there in the middle of it all. They had their cameras pressed against the window. I hate Rich and Mercedes! Goddammit, those fuckers need a life.” Austin raged as he stepped inside the garage and forced himself to calm down. After a minute, he shook his head, forcing the images out of his mind and concentrated on why he was here.
“How is she?” They slowed their pace, talking quietly like it was some big secret, that the people who worked here couldn’t possibly notice the female spiraling out of control right in front of them.
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