02-Let It Ride by L.C. Chase Read Free Book Online

leaning closer. “Real sorry ’bout what happened last year, Tripp. That weren’t right.”
    “’Preciate it,” Tripp said, a rough edge to his voice.
    “Good to see you back, man,” Rowdy said and pulled Tripp into a one-armed hug.
    “All right!” Craig clapped his hands together, giving Bridge a start. “Enough jawing. Let’s get down to emptying yer pockets.”
    Good-natured ribbing ensued while they tried to fit seven chairs around a four-chair table, when two new cowboys came around the back of the rig. Bridge immediately recognized Cory Ackerson, the rookie with a natural affinity for running pickup.
    He also couldn’t help notice the way Eric watched Cory stride past the card table, sizing him up, which immediately set his teeth on edge and darkened the edge of his vision.
    “I’m sorry,” Cory said when he stopped in front of Bridge. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your game.”
    Bridge must have been glaring when he looked down at Cory, who was a whole head shorter than him with boots on, because an older, rougher-looking version of the young man stepped between them, his stance clearly protective. “I tried to tell him he could talk to you guys tomorrow, during official clinic hours, but he insisted.” His expression was guarded, body language restrained, but he offered a hand. “Toby. Cory’s brother.”
    “Nice to meet you,” Bridge said, accepting the gesture and fighting back the grin that wanted to break free when Toby’s grip tightened. Bridge understood the message, but he was one of the last people who needed the warning. He’d grown up doing the same thing where Marty was concerned.
    “Toby.” Marty shook his hand and smiled. “No worries. We haven’t started yet.”
    “Cool!” Cory’s smile was damn near blinding, and then he looked down at his boots for a second, like maybe he was nervous and needed to collect himself. When he lifted his gaze to look at the group, there was trepidation and naked hope glittering in his bright-blue eyes. “I, uh . . . I kind of wanted to talk to you guys about more than just pickup. Privately. I mean it’s kind of obvious I’m gay, right? And I draw enough attention as it is, but I didn’t want to bring on more during the sessions. So I was hoping I could talk to you tonight. I mean, if that’s okay?” He flicked his eyes to Bridge. “I don’t know if you’re gay or not, Bridge, but everyone knows Marty is and you’re his best friend, so . . . um . . . is it okay?”
    Wow. Did the kid even take a breath?
    “Of course it’s okay,” Marty said. “Grab a chair.”
    Bridge could only stand there for a second until his bearings reset themselves. Listening to Cory—and watching, because he was a hand talker—was like standing in the center of a mini tornado. The young man had a spark that was hard to ignore, no doubt about it. Bridge smiled. The kid’s excitement was damn infectious, and he decided then that he liked the little greenhorn.
    He reached for a chair and paused when his gaze met Eric’s. Damn if there wasn’t a hint of green flashing back in those captivating eyes. Encouraged, his smiled widened, and he raised an eyebrow. Eric frowned. The move was subtle, not something anyone would have seen if they’d hadn’t been watching closely, but Bridge caught it. Eric dropped his stare to the table and started a determined shuffle of the cards.
    Hopefully everyone would clear out early enough for him to have a private talk with Eric.

    The night didn’t progress quite as he’d hoped.
    Cory had kept Bridge and Marty engaged as he fired off question after question, all the while peppering them with tales of his rodeo dreams and compliments on their prowess. Tripp had quickly been pulled into the conversation, and Toby had taken over his seat at the card table.
    Bridge had found his gaze constantly drifting to the man who’d been playing a nightly role in his dreams. He’d hoped to get in on the game for at least one hand,