Right Move (Clean Slate Ranch #6) - A.M. Arthur Page 0,73
horse.”
“I remember my first camping trip crystal clearly,” Miles added. “I was terrified, and these guys kept trying to scare me more with talk of mountain lions, but in the end, I loved the experience. It’s one of my and Reyes’s favorite things to do now. Camp together.”
“I’m starting to see the appeal.” He could almost see himself enjoying it with just him and Levi one day. Waking up alone in a tent, surrounded by nature. Maybe in warmer weather, though. “You two don’t have anything better to do on a Tuesday night than chill in the guesthouse? Or did Levi ask you to check in on me?”
The pair shared a look that screamed guilty.
“Not check in on,” Shawn said. “Just to chill out with. Our guys are up at Mack’s place watching a movie.”
“And you’re not both up there with your guys?”
Miles offered a patient smile. “We both know what it’s like to do things outside your comfort zone. And this is not us asking you anything, only offering support. My first visit here, I was a flaming mess because of something a shitty ex had done to me. But there is something about Clean Slate that helped me find a semblance of peace. It let me accept help from my friends and to eventually let my guard down and fall in love with Reyes.”
“And finally get said shitty ex tossed in prison,” Shawn added.
“I’m glad you found that love, I mean it.” George didn’t know much about Miles but the guy seemed like a very genuine soul. Shawn too.
“I lived in my car for two years.” Shawn’s confession jolted George. “Even while I worked at the ghost town, nobody knew. It wasn’t until I let myself be embraced by the generous people here that my life really began to improve. If you ever find yourself in the position to lean on the folks here, and to be part of this family, then do it. It’s worth it.”
George blinked hard, afraid his stinging eyes would start leaking tears at any moment. “I appreciate the advice. But I’m just here on vacation.”
“So was I,” Miles replied. “So were Wes and Derrick.”
He couldn’t deny those truths, and he’d seen firsthand how happy Derrick and Slater were. It was impossible to guess now if George’s happiness would be with Levi but he was having a lot of fun exploring the idea. “What are you saying? The horses are matchmakers?”
Miles laughed. “I mean, Tango definitely helped bring me and Reyes together. I adore that horse, but not more than I adore my husband. But if we’re bugging you or way off base about something, please let us know. We’ll back off.”
“You aren’t bugging me.” George wasn’t ready to come out to two guys he barely knew before he told his brother, but he did appreciate how kind and honest Miles and Shawn were being. “I’ve been...out of the world for a long time. It’s nice having friends again.”
“You have more than you probably realize. Do you feel up to watching a movie at my cabin? Or would you rather us leave you alone?”
As much as George liked the idea of spending two hours with guys his age, he was exhausted. “I doubt I’ll be awake longer than another hour. Can I get a rain check on the movie?”
“Definitely.”
“Please don’t be a stranger this week,” Shawn said. “Robin and Levi might not be blood related but they are brothers. Levi’s been different since he met you. Happier. I hope you’ve been happier, too.”
The pair didn’t wait for George to reply; they rose as a unit and left the guesthouse. George stared at some random spot on the wall for a while, turned around by the conversation. By all the things Miles and Shawn hadn’t said but had assumed about him and Levi. And it didn’t bother him as much as he expected it to, because he was in a safe place. Clean Slate Ranch was safe, just like the place he lived was safe. Maybe the wider world wasn’t but he was still experimenting with the wider world. Dipping his toes into it.
One day George would be the man he was always supposed to be. It might take some time but he’d get there. And he’d have friends to help him along the way.
* * *
Burt led the evening walk, and he explained that during the summer months they often saw a spectacular sunset. Levi had seen plenty of amazing sunsets in his life,