Bullheaded

better with you.”
    “You don’t know. Back when we first met, you were just another hookup. A really hot one, but just another one-nighter. But then I wanted to see you again. I found myself passing up chances to get with other guys just to spend time with you, even if we couldn’t have sex. It started to dawn on me I wanted more than just to get in your pants.”
    “So you wanted to be best buds, eh?”
    “Why’d you give me another chance?”
    “Last time when we fucked, you said you loved me.”
    “I did, huh?” Cody laughed self-consciously. “I think I’ve always loved you, right from the start.”
    A smile blossomed slowly over Johnny’s face. “If that’s what it takes to hear you say it, I might have to blow up at you more often.”
    “I’ll tell you every day if that’s what it takes to make this work.”
    “We’ll work it out,” Johnny said. “You know, you act like we were traveling together for years. Even though we were together, you were riding in Top Cut, I was fighting in the touring division. I only came up to Top Cut three months before we split.”
    “It felt like forever. It felt right.” Cody sighed. “I’m going to miss it.”
    “It’ll be different, that’s all. We’ll work it out.”

    I T WAS still dark when Johnny bent over Cody to kiss him goodbye.
    Sleepily, Cody rolled over and grabbed Johnny’s head, making the kiss deeper before he let him go. “So what do you bullfighters talk about when you’re on the road?”
    A soft chuckle answered him. “We talk about you.”
    “Me?” Cody sat up.
    “All you guys, all the bulls and what they like to do. Strategy, like what to do if a cowboy gets hung up, how to get a man out from underneath if the bull is crashing around, who takes the point. Stuff like that.”
    “What do they say about me?”
    “You may be a damn fine rider, but getting off is not your best thing.”
    Cody laughed. “I’ll miss you all week. I wish you were coming back to the ranch.”
    “I’ll be back after the finals for the break,” Johnny promised. “Get to all the chores. Place won’t run itself.”
    “Yeah, there are fences that need fixing,” Cody said.
    Somehow Johnny didn’t think he was talking about the wooden ones.

Chapter 18:
The Win

    T HEY hadn’t worked it all out yet, but they were back together and Johnny was happy. So happy he wanted to share it with someone. Of course the family circle knew—Val, Davis, Travis, and RJ. Zane could tell, judging by the winks and coded jokes, but Johnny didn’t want to share details about Cody with him. It was all great, but Johnny wanted someone on his side to know. Vern and Reese were out of the question. There might come a time when they found out about him but now wouldn’t be it.
    He took the card out of his wallet and fingered it, considering. They’d been broken up when he met March, so there was nothing to feel guilty about. Likely Cody wouldn’t be enthusiastic about meeting a man who’d taken him to bed, though, so it was unlikely he would see March again. It would feel too awkward. Besides, March probably wouldn’t hesitate to suggest all three of them go to bed together, even if only for a laugh at their expense.
    Johnny put the card away and then said, “Ah, fuck it.” He took out his phone and dialed.
    “Johnny! Good to hear from you” came the throaty growl of his silver bear. “Nothing wrong, I hope.”
    “No, just the opposite. I wanted you to know I’m back with my boyfriend.”
    “That’s great! I hope it works out for the two of you.”
    Johnny smiled at the generous pleasure in March’s voice. “We’ve got stuff to work through, but I think we can make a go of it.”
    “I’m honored you wanted to share the news with me.”
    “I wanted to thank you, actually,” Johnny said softly. “I’m not sure I’d have had the guts to even give it a shot if you hadn’t said what you did.”
    There was a silence while distance hummed over the line. “That makes me feel good. Sort of like a fairy godfather. Want to tell me his name now?”
    “No, definitely not.” Johnny laughed. “You know the sport. It wouldn’t be good to out him first thing after we get back together.”
    “You can count on my discretion, you know it.”
    “I know. I count on it for myself.”
    “Guess there’s no chance of one last roll in the hay, then?”
    “I’m sure you’ve got better things to do. How many men have you had since me?”
    March cleared his