got plenty of time, months, to decide what you want to do. I also haven’t decided if I want to sell out to Willard or not, he’s just the best second choice to run it.”
If he didn’t know Dad as well as he did, Levi might think his father was trying to manipulate him into saying yes. Saying no meant Dad potentially selling Lucky’s to someone else, and there went Levi’s inheritance. But money wasn’t the most important thing to Levi. It never had been and never would be. If Dad walked away from Lucky’s without another Peletier in charge, it was because he simply wanted a clean break from his old life.
Levi couldn’t bear giving him a disingenuous “Let Willard run it for a few years and then I’ll decide” kind of answer. It jerked everyone around, especially if Willard was prepared to buy Dad out now. As much as Levi wanted to travel again, he wasn’t sure if running the rodeo was how he wanted to do it. But Dad had said he had a few months to decide.
“I’m definitely going to need time,” Levi said. “There’s just so much to consider.”
“I know there is. And I don’t want to steal you away from the life you have if it’s what makes you happiest, and I mean that. All I’ve ever wanted is for my boys to be happy.”
“We are.” Happy and—at least for Levi—now a little bit confused.
“Good. Well, I won’t keep you much longer. I’m sure you’ve got your man to get back to soon.”
They’d chatted briefly for a while longer, and then they had said their goodbyes. Levi had wandered the corral for a while, before he found himself heading toward one of the walking trails. But even out in the beautiful lands of Clean Slate Ranch, he hadn’t been able to collect his swirling thoughts. He’d pushed the conversation with Dad aside and tried to enjoy the rest of his day.
A day that culminated with George asleep in his bed, a half smile on his face, eyes twitching as he dreamed about something that seemed pleasant. Levi was slowly, but surely, falling in love with George Thompson, but what did that mean for Levi’s future? For the future of Lucky’s? No, he couldn’t give Lucky’s more weight in his decision than his relationship with George, no matter how new and delicate it still was. Lucky’s was his past; his future was still yet to be written.
“I want you in my future,” he whispered to George. “I hope you want me in yours.”
George snuffled once, then settled.
Content with his boyfriend by his side for now, Levi relaxed against his own pillow and tried to fall asleep.
* * *
Levi spent all the next morning lounging in bed with George—minus a quick break to eat an instant oatmeal breakfast for fuel—occasionally having sex, but mostly existing. Watching videos on Levi’s tablet. Talking. Existing. They reluctantly left their bubble to clean up and dress, so they could drive down to the ranch for lunch at the guesthouse with their friends. George practically glowed with confidence, and it made Levi’s heart swell.
He hated driving George back to the truck stop, but he’d agreed to meet Orry there at two. “I feel like a kid being swapped by two divorced parents,” George joked.
“I’d drive you the entire way if I had to,” Levi replied. “You’re worth it.”
That got him a smitten smile that Levi didn’t allow himself to read too far into. They kissed for a while as they waited in their usual side of the parking lot, until a familiar car pulled in on the passenger side. Orry sprang from the car to give George a big hug, as if the pair had been separated for weeks instead of twenty-four hours. George leaned into the cab to grab his gym bag, blew Levi a kiss, and then followed his brother to their car.
Levi sent a quick text: Best Christmas ever. Talk to you soon, sweetheart.
George’s reply came before Orry had completely left the lot: Same. Can’t wait for next time.
With a goofy grin on his face, Levi texted Robin to ask if he was able to go riding in forty-five minutes. About ten minutes into his drive, Robin texted back an affirmative, and Levi returned to the ranch. Since it was the off-season, he parked near the guesthouse and headed for the barn, where Robin was already tacking his favorite horse Apple Jax.
“Hey, man,” Robin said. “Wasn’t sure if