“You don’t look down on me because I sell myself?” Yancey yawned.
“Nope. I try not to judge people. None of us are perfect. I’ve learned that.” Tony watched the young man’s eyes drift shut. “Who’s to say you have to keep doing it?”
Yancey’s answer was a soft snore. Tony tugged the blanket off the back of the couch and covered the kid. He went to the kitchen, grabbed a beer from the fridge and went outside. He relished the harsh burn of smoke in his lungs when he lit his cigarette.
He was thinking about turning in when Randy called.
“You ready to come home?” Randy’s voice washed over him.
“I’m packed and ready, cowboy. It’s been a fucked-up day.” He took a drag and blew the smoke out in a sigh.
“What happened now?” Randy’s concerned question was a balm to Tony’s soul.
Tony told him. After explaining, he concluded by saying, “Now I have a black and blue hustler on my couch and an emotionally wounded teenager in the guest room. I have no idea how Yancey and Juan know each other, though it must be from the clubs.”
“Shit. Would your sister really throw Juan out?” Randy sounded upset.
“With Luis and Angelina encouraging her, I’d say yes. I’m hoping she’ll think about it tonight and realize what she’s throwing away.”
“God, I thought my family was screwed up.” Randy laughed.
“Every family’s fucked up. It’s a law or something.” He put out his smoke. “I’ll be back at the ranch tomorrow night, but I might be bringing someone with me.”
“That’s fine. We have the room.” Randy didn’t hesitate.
Tony had known what Randy and Les’ response would be. They never turned anyone away if they could help them instead.
“Thanks. I’ll give you a call when we’re about to leave here. Can someone pick us up at the airport?”
“We’ll be there. Get some sleep.” Randy hung up.
Tony lit another cigarette and sat down on the porch steps. He thought about Randy and Les wrapped up in each other’s arms, oblivious to the world around them. He thought how happy it made him to see his friends so in love with each other and how lonely it made him feel. Resting his head against the railing, he closed his eyes. His mind slipped back to the last night in Hawaii.
The rough touch of Mac’s hands on his skin; their sweat sealing their bodies together as they made love in his condo; the moonlight turning Mac’s blonde hair silver.
Pressure built behind Tony’s eyes. A tear leaked from one corner to trail down his cheek. God, it was stupid to miss someone as much as he’d come to miss Mac. How was it possible a man he’d only known for one night had come to mean so much to him?
He wanted to call Randy back and ask if this aching in his chest was how Randy felt every time he spent time away from Les. He chuckled. Randy had urged him to try and find Mac. Now that he was heading back to Wyoming, he wished he’d listened to his friend and hunted Mac down. Maybe he could have convinced the man to meet him at the ranch. Maybe he could have driven the loneliness away.
Snuffing out the cigarette, he stared up at the stars gleaming in the night sky.
Wishing never got him anything. He needed to forget. He had another month before the PBR events started again. He’d find a way.
* * * *
Randy searched the crowd, looking for Tony. Les stood behind him with an indulgent smile.
“Where is he?”
“You’d think Tony was your boyfriend the way you’re carrying on,” Les teased.
A rueful expression appeared on Randy’s face. “I’m sorry, love,” he said softly.
“Don’t be. I know you’re excited to have him back. Tony’s our friend, baby, and he went to a place where he’d be alone, surrounded by people who’ve already hurt him once. When you care for someone, you want to protect them.” Les squeezed Randy’s shoulder. “He’s here.”
Randy turned to see their friend making his way towards them. He studied Tony’s dark eyes. Exhaustion and sadness swirled in them. He ignored the stares of the people closest to them. He flung his arms around Tony’s muscular body, hugging the man tight.
All the tension left the body in his arms and Randy heard Tony sigh.
Tony stepped back, waving to a young man standing a few feet away. “Randy and Les, meet Yancey. He’s had a hard time of it lately. I thought we could put him to work on the ranch ‘til he got straightened out.”
Les shook Yancey’s hand. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.” Les hugged Tony and then gestured for Yancey to follow him. “We’ll go get the car.”
Yancey gave Tony a quick glance. Tony nodded. Randy watched them walk away.
“Who is he?”
“His name’s Yancey MacCafferty. He’s been hustling for a year or two. He got caught in a gang fight a couple of days ago. Juan brought him to my sister’s house. Maria had a meltdown. She threw Juan out.” Tony rubbed his forehead.
“So where’s Juan?” Randy guided Tony to the luggage claim.
“I made him stay at Tia Elena’s. Maybe with both of us out of the picture, Maria will take him back.” Tony shrugged. “Maybe she won’t. Juan’s not going to hide anymore and I’m afraid she won’t take it.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when it comes.” Randy wanted Tony to forget things for a while. “Let’s get to the ranch. You can hang out with us, ride some bulls and get ready for next year. Christmas is just around the corner too. We’re having all the rest of the family in for two weeks.”
Tony
