Not even time off for Thanksgiving. It sucks. I planned on going to my brother’s house for the holiday, but nope. Have to go entertain the masses.”
“Man, if you don’t like what you’re doing, why are you doing this?” Tony loved riding bulls. He’d already made up his mind that the day he didn’t enjoy it, he’d retire.
“I love to sing. Performing is an unhappy side effect of singing. To be honest, I wouldn’t be so tired of performing if I didn’t have to deal with all the other bullshit.”
Derek shrugged. The singer shifted and faced him. “So where are you from? It sounds like Texas to me.”
“I’m originally from Texas. I live in Wyoming now.” He realized they had talked through take-off and the plane had reached cruising altitude. Their flight attendant brought them another drink and they kept talking.
Stepping off the plane four hours later, Tony noticed a group of people with disapproving frowns on their faces. Derek squeezed his shoulder.
“Where the hell have you been?” An older man walked up to them, glaring at Tony while gripping Derek’s arm.
“I took a different flight.” Derek shook off the man’s hand and turned to face Tony.
“Thanks for making it an interesting ride. I’ll be watching for you when your circuit starts up again.”
Tony ignored the man who must have been Derek’s manager and hugged the singer.
“I hope you find some happiness somewhere,” he whispered in the man’s ear.
Derek pulled his sunglasses down so his blue eyes met Tony’s. “Someday I will. It just depends on how much more shit I can take. Thanks.”
Tony didn’t say anything as Derek kissed his cheek.
Chapter Three
Hardin Ranch, Wyoming, a day later
Tony sat, staring out of his truck window at the rental car in Les’ driveway. He knew it was Luis’. He wasn’t sure how he felt about seeing his first love again.
The anger he’d felt when he received his sister’s wedding invitation had disappeared over the years. He’d always known Luis would never come out of the closet. Martinez enjoyed his comfortable niche too much.
Les and Randy came out onto the porch. He focused on them. Les’ arm was around Randy’s waist and the younger man rested on him. Tony realized even if he didn’t know they were a couple, and they never touched in public, he could tell they were together. It was as if an invisible string bound them together.
Luis stood behind them, a sneer on his face. Tony took a deep breath. The years hadn’t been kind to his brother-in-law. Too much easy living and good food had given him a bit of a paunch. The black curls Tony had loved running his fingers through were thinning.
He climbed out of his truck, reaching in the back to pull out his equipment bag and luggage. He knew his friends wouldn’t stop him if he chose to climb back in and drive away.
Face your past. It’s the only way to let go. A voice sounding remarkably like Les’
rang in his head. Tony knew it was a comment the older man would say to him if he had asked.
“I’m back.” He smiled up at his friends.
“Good.” Randy bolted down the steps and wrapped him in a tight hug. “We missed you.”
Les followed more cautiously. But the strength of his hug was the same. “I’m glad you’re safe.” Les’ lips pressed against his ears. “Get him the hell out of my house.”
Surprised, Tony jerked back and shot Les a questioning look. Les’ dark brown eyes held restrained anger. Tony wondered what Luis had done to cause such a reaction in Les. Hardin was usually a gracious host. The man didn’t have problems opening his home to strangers.
“I will,” he murmured.
Les’ smile was tight, but Hardin backed away, not saying anything else.
Luis pushed past Randy and Les to hug Tony. Tony struggled against the unexpected embrace.
“Tony, it’s been too long. You’re looking good, man.” Luis held him at arm’s length.
His brother-in-law’s gaze undressed him and made his skin crawl. Of all the emotions Tony thought he would have felt, revulsion wasn’t one of them.
“What are you doing here?” He climbed the steps to stand on the porch.
Randy and Les picked up his bags, taking them into the house for him. Each squeezed his shoulder as they went past.
“What? No ‘how are you’? No hello kiss?” Luis ran a finger over Tony’s cheek. “It’s been a while since I tasted those sweet lips of yours.”
“You’re married to my sister and you’re not gay.”
Being hit on was the last thing he expected. He felt off-kilter.
His brother-in-law laughed. “It’s not like I’m cheating on her.”
“You don’t consider kissing another guy cheating?”
“Hell no. I’m not gay, but fags love me. I don’t want to disappoint them. Some of the best blowjobs I’ve gotten were from rent boys in Austin.” Luis moved closer.
Tony found himself pinned against the rail of the porch. Luis crushed their lips together. At one time, Tony’s favorite thing was a kiss from this man, but it was before Luis broke his heart and turned on him. With a shove, he pushed Luis back, slamming the man into the wall. Tony scrubbed his sleeve over his mouth.
“What the fuck are you doing?” He glared at Luis.
“Come on, Tony. You know you want a piece of me. You were always eager when we were younger. You liked my cock even more than your sister does now.”
Tony’s brain shut down and his fist flew. Blood exploded from Luis’ nose and lip.
Luis hunched over, cupping his hand over his injured face.
“Don’t ever talk about my sister that way. You’re an asshole, Martinez. I don’t want you touching or even talking to me. If you do, I’ll kick your fucking ass. I’m not the same boy who thought you hung the moon.” His hands shook.
Les stepped out,
