Right Move (Clean Slate Ranch #6) - A.M. Arthur Page 0,34

“Um, a bad time in his life.”

“I can understand that. We all have different triggers for our traumas.”

Don’t I know it.

“But Orry’s good now?” Levi asked gently.

“Yeah, I think so. It was a lifetime ago. But thank you for caring.”

“You’re my friend, George. I care about the people you love. I’d like to be Orry’s friend, too, but he seems hesitant about me, and I can’t figure out why.”

“He’s just overprotective. Has been ever since I quit skating. But he knows I’m trying to be the person I used to be, to be part of the world. He’s trying to temper his instincts to question the motives of every person who comes near me.”

Levi studied his face for a moment with those beautiful, expressive eyes. “Someone betrayed your trust. Someone besides your parents?”

George’s gut shriveled. “Yes, and I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Heard and backing off.”

“Thank you. I trust you, Levi, but there are some things I don’t talk about, not even with Orry.”

“I get it. I hear you. I went through a horrific period of time in my life, and I did things I have only ever told my therapist. There are probably a few things I didn’t tell her because I blocked them out. But you will always have a safe place with me, George. I promise.”

“I know, thank you. And same. I’m not much of a talker but I’m a pretty good listener.”

“Yes, you are.” Levi looked like he wanted to say something else, but instead deflated George’s good mood with, “I should probably go.”

“Oh, um, okay.” George didn’t want their pleasant conversation to end, but he couldn’t be greedy with Levi’s time. The guy had an hour’s drive home and a whole other life beyond his friendship with George. “I’ll text you a spot to meet on Sunday morning.”

“Sounds good.”

They both rose and George walked him to the door. He hoped Levi would ask for another hug, but all Levi did was extend a hand. Slightly disappointed, George shook with the firmest grip he had, resigning himself to the fact that yesterday’s hug had been gratitude over Ginger. Nothing more. “Thank you again for the vacation voucher,” George said. “I’m nervous but excited. I’ve never done anything like it before.”

“Then I am honored to be there for your first time.” Levi held eye contact a beat longer than George expected before releasing his hand.

George immediately missed his touch, and he didn’t allow his mind to spin out on why. He was simply starved for human contact; that was all. That was all it could be.

Right?

Chapter Eight

Over the course of his lifetime, Levi could count on one hand the number of times he’d been seriously nervous to do something. First time riding a horse solo when he was four? No big deal. She was a gentle mare named Starling, and he’d loved every second of being on the majestic beauty. First time standing up on the saddle of a galloping horse? Cake walk because he was confident in his physical abilities.

The two most recent times were last December, when Levi showed up at Clean Slate Ranch to surprise Robin with a visit—someone he’d truly missed and hadn’t seen in nearly three years. The other time was when he let himself fall in love with Grant, and that had gone spectacularly wrong.

And then there was today, driving to the pickup spot George had texted him. They’d chosen a truck stop because it was easy to get in and out of, and it was very public. Not that this was a hostage negotiation or anything, just a passenger exchange. But Levi imagined Orry had some personal anxiety about his brother going off on his own for a solid week.

Levi texted that he’d arrived and tried not to fidget while he waited. George sent back that they were about five minutes out and he’d be there soon. That made him smile and his heart beat a little harder. He sipped from the thermos of water he always kept on hand and hummed to whatever was on the radio. After not seeing him for the last two days, George was almost here.

He’d never thought to ask what Orry’s car looked like, but an older-model gray sedan pulled into the spot next to Levi’s truck. Levi got out to help, but Orry was the one who hefted George’s suitcase into the bed of his pickup. Then Orry pulled George to the other side of the car and whispered to him.