“Hey there, sweet cheeks.”
Brody’s voice danced over Tony’s skin, making goose bumps rise.
“Blondie, how’s it going,” he teased.
“Good. Came into the office for a while. Straightening things up. Waiting for my partners to get here.”
Tony caught a hint of tension in Brody’s tone.
“Trouble in paradise?” He grabbed a pillow and stuffed it behind his head.
“I’m not sure. There might be when I tell them I’m moving.”
This time excitement mixed with the tension.
“Moving? You found a place?”
“Not sure. I called the agent as soon as I landed. She’s found a place a couple of miles down the road from Les’.” Brody laughed. “I told Yancey to take the guys with him to check it out since you weren’t around.”
“When are they going?” He fought his own excitement.
They’d looked at several ranches. There had been something wrong with each of them besides not being as close as they wanted to their friends.
“The storm’s over up there, but they won’t be able to drive until tomorrow.”
Tony could hear the creak of the chair when Brody shifted.
“Even if this ends up being another dead end, Morgan and Vance should know I’m planning on leaving the state.”
“Good idea, babe.”
A knock sounded on his hotel door.
“Angelina’s ready to head out for dinner. Lucky for us, there’s a diner attached to this place.”
He levered his aching body off the bed, put his hat on and opened the door.
“Good. Morgan just arrived. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Sweet dreams, love.”
Brody hung up before Tony could process what the man had said. When it did, he stared at the phone in surprise.
They’d never used that word to each other or to describe how they felt. It had been implied for a month or two, but neither felt the need to say it. Now Brody had broken the unspoken agreement by uttering that four-letter word.
Tony wanted to call Brody back and yet he didn’t. Stupid really. Saying the word wouldn’t ruin what they had. Maybe it would make it a little more real.
“Anything wrong?” Angelina studied him as he gathered his room key and followed her out into the hall.
“No.”
It was unexpected, but everything was okay.
* * * *
Los Angeles
“You’re fucking kidding,” Morgan demanded.
Brody watched his business partner and friend pace their office. “No, I’m not. I want to move.”
Morgan shot him a shocked glance. “Why?”
“I’m tired of this city. I’m tired of the attitudes.” He spun his chair around and stared out the window at the Hollywood sign.
“It’s that cowboy. What’s his name?” Morgan frowned and snapped his fingers.
“Tony. You’re moving to a ranch because of that bull rider.”
“Yes and no. I love Tony. We’ve spent as much time as we can together. We talk every day.” He held up his hand to stop Morgan’s next words. “It’s also because of Yancey. He likes it out in Wyoming. He’s got a good steady life out there and I want to be a part of it.”
“You can be without moving there. Why Wyoming, Mac?” Morgan gestured wildly.
“You can pick any state. Why there?”
“It’s where they want to be.”
His decision was as simple as that. Tony and Yancey both loved Wyoming. He loved them. His life was ready for a change.
“You and Vance can run the bodyguard part of the company from here. I’ll handle the security systems from Wyoming. We’ll meet when we need to.”
“Your mind’s made up.” Morgan sighed.
“Yes. I wanted to tell you before I found a place, but I am moving. This isn’t home for me anymore.”
“And Tony is?” Morgan perched on the edge of Brody’s desk.
Brody was quiet for a minute. “Yes, he is. I wasn’t looking for someone. Figured it would happen in its own good time. Now that it has, I’m ready for something new.
Somewhere different.”
Morgan’s intense gray eyes focused on him and Brody didn’t fidget or look away.
Finally his friend grinned.
“We’ll have papers drawn up for a branch office in Wyoming. Maybe we could set up a training facility out there as well for our guards. We’ll have to hash out a schedule and division of power that works for all of us.” Morgan came around the desk to slap Brody on the shoulder. “I knew it would happen.”
Brody frowned. “What would happen?”
“You’d fall for someone, but I always thought it’d be some twink or wanna-be actor.
I didn’t know you went for rugged cowboy types.”
He shot to his feet and gave Morgan a hug. “I didn’t think they were my type either, but you’ve met him, Morgan. Maybe it’s that little hint of vulnerability he covers with all that fierce confidence.”
“I know what you mean. Come on. Let’s grab Vance and go to the club. Celebrate the end of your swinging single days and the start of a new step forward for the company.”
Grabbing his coat, he walked out of the office. His revelation had gone well. He could only hope Tony’s meeting with his parents went as well.
Chapter Eighteen
Thursday, Texas
Tony pulled into his parents’ driveway. They lived in the same house Tony grew up in. Nothing had changed. Same color of paint. Same flowers. Even the same car, just a newer model.
He shook his head. His parents were stuck in their happy narrow world. He wasn’t sure he wanted to challenge it.
His mother stood on the front steps, frowning at them as they walked towards her.
“Mija, you shouldn’t have run away. You must talk to tu marido. Luis is muy afligido for what he did.”
“Saying he’s sorry doesn’t make everything okay, Mama.” Angelina shook her head.
“He cheated on me, more than once.”
“If you would be a better wife, he wouldn’t feel the need to find comfort elsewhere.”
Mama continued to ignore Tony, which didn’t bother him as much as he thought it would.
“No, Mama. This isn’t my fault. I loved Luis. I did everything he wanted. He’s been cheating since we married. “Angelina gestured to Tony. “He admitted it to Antonio. Luis
