Right Move (Clean Slate Ranch #6) - A.M. Arthur Page 0,109

in his tender expression suggested that maybe one day, George would have the honor of calling him Dad.

His heart turned over in a weird way at that thought. George hadn’t spoken to his own father in years. Not on holidays or birthdays. And as much as part of him missed his biological parents, George was content with the separation. It was healthier for all of them. George wasn’t going to reach out to people who’d always treated him like a prize instead of a son. He had more pride than that. And a hell of a lot more self-worth.

They hung around the corral until the first demo at eleven, and George was elated when Slater and Derrick joined their group. Levi and Robin were amazing, performing all kinds of roping and riding tricks, a few of which required volunteers from the audience for simple tasks. As much as George wanted to volunteer and interact with his boyfriend, he’d long ago lost the desire for others to stare at him. The show received loud applause, and George hung around long enough to give Levi a kiss.

Afterward, Orry and Zoey wanted to wander the ghost town, and George ended up with Doug. They walked up and down Main Street, visiting the shops and tables of locals who were selling their arts and crafts, similar to the big July 4th celebration. The weather was sunny and crisp, and George basked in the joy of parental pride, even if the pride wasn’t directed at him. Doug told him new stories of the rodeo and George soaked in every single word.

They had lunch at the saloon, and Shawn served them personally so he could chat with Doug for a few minutes. George didn’t know Shawn’s entire backstory, but he soaked in the very father-son dynamic between the pair, their connection through their shared love of Robin. So much love existed between the people who worked at both Bentley and Clean Slate, and George had somehow found himself caught up in it. All because he’d stupidly allowed Adrian into the apartment.

While that encounter had been terrifying, it had set George on the path he now walked, and he couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Or with anyone except Levi.

George cheered his boyfriend on during the second big demonstration, which was similar to the first, but just different enough that he didn’t get bored. After the applause died down, Levi came over and planted a long kiss on George that left his face hot and his libido up. Levi was practically glowing and George soaked in his positive energy.

“You did an amazing job, son,” Doug said. “I think you’re even better than you were last year.”

“I’ve had a lot more practice since then,” Levi replied with a bark of laughter. “Muscle memory woke up a lot this past year. Plus, Zodiac has been a dream to train and work with. You’ve gotta trust your animal and have them trust you for this stuff to work.”

“True words, my boy. You’d be an asset to the rodeo, but I also see the passion you have for the work you do here.”

Levi’s eyebrows furrowed briefly, and George wasn’t sure why. Doug had simply paid him a compliment about his performance today. It wasn’t as if Doug was trying to lure Levi back to Lucky’s.

Was he?

Nah, that was George being paranoid. He couldn’t spend time thinking of ways in which his relationship would fall apart. He had to do exactly what Shawn and Levi had both said: take it one day at a time. One promise at a time. And right now, the biggest promise he’d made was to take care with Levi’s heart. George wasn’t sure if he was in love with Levi or not, but he had incredibly strong feelings. Strong enough that losing the man would hurt. Immensely. But he didn’t want to think about that possibility on such a gorgeous, fun-filled day.

As much as George wanted to spend the night with Levi, it didn’t work out logistically. Levi had to work tomorrow, and Doug was only in town until Monday. George couldn’t be selfish and deny Levi time with his father, so he went home with Orry and Zoey. He genuinely liked Zoey, who was positive, funny, and made Orry laugh. A lot. Orry deserved to laugh as much as he could, after working his ass off these last couple of years.

For the next few weeks, George figured out a driving schedule with Orry and Levi that allowed