The Cowboy and The Pencil-pusher

"Where did you come from?" I whispered hoarsely.

He stood up gracefully and held out his muddy hand to me. "I sensed that you were in danger." Seeing my suspicious expression, he laughed out loud. "Just kidding. I heard the commotion and came over to see."

My dad checked me up and down, eyes widening. "Son, are you okay?"

I grabbed Kurt's hand and staggered to my feet.There's a pain in the shoulder, but I don't think anything is broken. "It's okay, Kurt caught me."

Benji came and hugged me. "I thought you were going to be heroic, boss."

I swallowed heavily. "I thought so too."

"What a beautiful swallow dive." Kurt's lips moved. "If this were the Olympics, I'd definitely give you a ten."

I rub my shoulders. "It's funny."

Kurt's eyes harden when he notices me rubbing my shoulders. "You are hurt?"

"I'm fine." Falling like a little girl and thumping and screaming was embarrassing enough for me.

He turned a deaf ear and took another step closer. "Are you sure?" His voice was gentle, and he still had such a sense of presence despite being covered in mud.

"I told you, I'm fine." I complained.Thinking that I was infatuated with him made me feel irritable.I'm grateful he saved my life, but I'm still mad at how he treated me in the trailer this morning.I looked over Kurt's shoulder, met my dad's curious gaze, and moved away, lest he notice what was going on with Kurt.

Kurt looked past me at the stubborn bull. "We should get out of here and let my men clean up the mess." He walked in the opposite direction, and we followed like ducklings.

I looked back in panic while wiping the mud off my mouth. "My keys are still in the trailer."

"I've got a spare set of trailer keys here in case you're away." Kurt looked at my dad. "Are you all right?"

My dad laughed. "I'm fine. It's great to be outside, even though the cows are running around. I've spent too much time in the hospital and doctor's office this past year." He looks out at the snow-capped mountains. "It's much better this way."

I have to admit that his condition is much better than yesterday.Now his face was healthier in color and his eyes were brighter. "If I wasn't covered in cow dung, maybe I'd be enjoying the moment."

Benjie winked. "How can we go back to the hotel when you are so dirty? You can't take a car like this."

"I think we have to flush you out, son." My dad grinned.

I stare. "Hopefully the germs that might have covered me don't get me into something horrible."

Kurt gave me a sympathetic look. "Come to use my bathroom, if you want? I can get you some clean clothes to change too. They're not as stylish as you usually wear, but at least they're free of mud and shit."

If he invited me to his shower, there was a good chance Riley wasn't with him.That makes me happy.I looked at Benjy and my dad. "Are you two going to see me take a shower?"

My dad laughed. "Not really."

"I'll take you to my place, and you've done what you need to do." Kurt said coldly.

"You know you're covered in mud like Paul, right?" Benjie pointed out to Kurt.

Kurt laughed. "Trust me, I'm going to take a shower. But Paul can take priority. He looks like he's going to pass out from the smell of himself."

"I just don't want to get cholera," I shuddered.

Kurt laughed. "You're more likely to get plague than cholera."

I shrink back. "Very good."

"Hey, Kurt, if you have a spare key, Benjy and I can go back to the tow truck and wait while you and Paul clean up."

"Of course. The key is in my house."

Benjie was on fire. "That would be great. As much as I'd love to take a little errand or something, I've got a lot of work left off."

I glared at him. "Yeah?"

he laughed. "Well, it's actually not too much. It's not too much."

I shake my head. "What are you doing on the computer all day? Watching porn?"

"No." Benjie snorted.

"This is also a good opportunity for me to get used to the plan, and it won't get in your way, Paul." My dad looked very happy.

"Oh, well, then it's a good thing I fell in the mud. Who made me so helpful."

Kurt smiled softly, and his deep voice made me feel warm.

As we walked across the construction site, I gave the worker with a bulldozer a hard look.If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be sacrificing one of my favorite shirts today.Of course, I will not have the opportunity to peek at Kurt's residence.

After a short and easy walk, we arrived at Cote's bungalow hut.It looks plain from the outside.No window box full of daisies or a "welcome" doormat at the door.He opened the door and we followed.The main room is cozy, with a sofa and two armless chairs in front of a tall stone fireplace.Black and white photographs sit on a sideboard next to the small pine dining table.A small kitchen is separated on the left side, with a refrigerator, oven and sink, and there is nothing else redundant.

His home smells like cinnamon and is surprisingly clean.I imagined there would be harness piled everywhere, but there wasn't any.Narrow bookshelves crammed full of hardcover books take up an entire wall, and there is no television.

Benji toured the small living room with his hands in his pockets. "When I first came here I thought there would be moose heads hanging on the walls."

Kurt frowned. "Why?"

"Because you're a man who harnesses horses."

"Ha." Kurt took off his hat and shrugged. "Sorry to disappoint you." He went to the bookshelf and picked up a small box, opened it and took out a key.

"Here's the spare key for the trailer." He handed it to my dad.

"Thank you." My dad looked at me. "See you later?"

"Okay. I'll see you in about an hour."

My dad put his arm around Benjy's shoulders. "Let's go and let the two of them clean themselves up."

"okay."

Once they left, there was an awkward silence in the room.I stretch my arms forward without touching my body. "The mud on me is dripping on your floor."

He went to a door of the main house. "The bathroom is here."

I followed him cautiously into his bedroom.The queen bed in the room was hard not to notice.Because of our recent friendship with benefits, I was doubly uncomfortable in his bedroom.

He told me, "The bathroom is over there. There's shampoo and everything, and the towels are in the cabinet over the sink. Call me if you need anything else."

"I will."

He nodded and left the room.

I went into the bathroom, took off my muddy clothes and threw them on the tiled floor.I figured I should ask him what he was going to do with the clothes afterwards.But the first task is to get the dirt off your body.I step into the cramped shower and sigh in relief as the hot water washes over my muddy body.I shampooed my head and lathered thickly all over my body.

It was an odd feeling standing in the same cubicle Kurt used every day.Just thinking about him showering here every morning turns me on.I closed my eyes and tried not to think about his nakedness, but to no avail.When all the sludge was flushed away, I turned off the water and walked out.The towel was placed where he said, and I dried myself only to realize that there were no clean clothes to change.

I opened the door to probe. "Hey Kurt?"

He entered the bedroom and looked over carefully. "What is it?" His eyes lingered on my bare shoulders and chest.

"I need clothes."

He pointed to the bed. "It's already in front of you."

Beside the bed was a stack of neatly folded clothes. "Oh, sorry. I didn't see it."

He left the room again, and I hurried to get dressed.The jeans are too big and I'm glad he fitted me with a belt.The top is also large, baggy but soft.I got dressed and went to the main house and saw him sitting on a bar stool in the kitchen. "Well, although I won't win a fashion award like this, at least I'm not naked." I smiled.

His enigmatic eyes swept across my whole body, and he nodded. "Not bad." He looked at his dirty clothes and poked his dry mud-stained top. "It's my turn."

I don't know if I should leave first while he showers.He must have seen my hesitation, because he stopped in front of me. "Would you mind waiting a while while I shower? We need to talk."

My stomach churned, but I nodded anyway. "sure."

"There's fresh orange juice in the fridge, you're welcome." He left the room.

I poured out a glass of orange juice, and as I sipped it, I looked at the photographs on the sideboard.There is a photo of him and Madi in his early years.In the photo, Ricotte is on a horse and looks about 16 years old.I don't know if he knew Riley when this photo was taken.His carefree and innocent expression took my breath away.If we met when we were teenagers, would we hit it off?Maybe I'd be able to save him from his messy relationship with Riley then.

Can you save him?Give me a break?

I sighed and looked at the other photos.There was another picture of him, just younger, and an older dark-haired woman with her arms around him.They looked alike, and I immediately guessed it was his mother.He is so happy in the photo, it makes my heart ache to think about it.From what he told me earlier, his mother passed away shortly after this photo was taken.How heartbroken Kurt was when she left, I dare not think.

I put the empty glass in the sink and sat down on the couch.With my hair still wet, I lay my head back and close my eyes.The sound of water in the bathroom made my eyelids gradually unable to open.However, a slight door knock pulled me back from my drowsiness.I straightened up with a twist of the handle, and that's when I saw a blond man about my age enter the room.He looked down and didn't see me.I knew right away it was Riley.My heart almost stopped beating, and I stared at him with mixed feelings in my chest.

As the shower was turned off, Riley looked toward the bedroom.A mischievous smirk appeared on that handsome face, and he walked lightly towards Kurt's room.That poised demeanor irritated me.Who the hell did he think he was sneaking into Kurt's house without saying hello?Is there a key or did we leave the door unlocked?If Kurt had a date with Riley, he'd never let me in the shower.It was definitely unsolicited.

I cleared my throat, and Riley put her hands on her chest in shock.He looked at me nervously, his eyes wide open. "Oh shit. You scared the hell out of me." His expression changed from surprise to curiosity and finally anger. "Who are you?"

I frowned. "I was going to ask you this question." I stood up and crossed my arms over my chest.

Riley's expression hardened. "You're Paul." It wasn't a question.

"Then you must be Riley."

He squinted. "Why are you here?"

I looked down at my baggy clothes, not knowing what to say.What happened today is really indescribable. "I need a shower."

"What?" His laugh was unnatural. "Why?"

While I was thinking of an answer, the bedroom door opened and Kurt came out.He was wearing jeans and a blue top, and his hair was wet.When he saw Riley, his face immediately turned pale and he gave me a strange look. "Riley...you..." He licked his lips. "What are you doing here?"

Riley didn't answer, just pointed at me with a frown. "Why is he here?"

Kurt swallowed, stretching the muscles in his neck. "We had an accident on our ranch and Paul and I were covered in mud."

I don't know how to intervene in the present conversation.When Kurt left my hotel room last night, I was sure of our relationship.He made it very clear that he liked me as much as I liked him, and I thought there were a lot of passionate nights ahead for the two of us.But then, he's been acting so weirdly in the trailer this morning that I'm completely scratching my head.

Riley continued to eye me as if I were just an unexpected guest at his party.

I turn to Kurt. "You said we wanted to talk." I pointed at Riley. "Is it because of him?"

Kurt nodded.

Last night, when Kurt hinted that he was going to talk to Riley about me, I took that to mean that Riley was in the past, and Kurt and I carried on with the way we were.But judging from Riley's injured and confident expression, he [-]% thinks that I am not his opponent.A reasonable inference is that Kurt got cold feet or couldn't let go of Riley.The disappointment this thought brought me was more than I expected.

I took a step towards the door. "I think I'll leave you two to think about it alone. You two obviously have something to discuss, and I'm not here for the play."

"You're the one who caused the drama," Riley said.

"Me?" I frowned.

"I know you're trying to get Kurt to cut me off," Riley growled.

"Riley." Kurt's voice was warning.

I shrugged and said, "I just think you two need to clear up some misunderstandings." Then I hoped he dumped you.

"Okay, we've eliminated it. It's all good now." Riley glared at me.

"That's fine." I was lying.I grabbed the doorknob to get out of the damn place when I realized I had no shoes.Walking all the way back to the trailer without shoes on was too much for my delicate feet.I stop looking at my toes and turn to Kurt, blushing. "I need a pair of shoes."

He hesitated and turned to Riley. "I need to talk to Paul."

Riley shrugged. "Let's talk then."

"Talk alone." Kurt's tone was firm.

"Why do you want to talk alone?" Riley questioned.

Kurt's bushy brows furrowed together. "Riley, you need to relax."

Riley scowled. "Okay. Call you later?"

Kurt nodded casually.

Riley walked past me sullenly.He slammed the door behind his back as he left.

Kurt cleared his throat. "Sorry. I didn't know he was coming today."

"It doesn't matter. I just need shoes." I decided to minimize the damage with the mentality of a strong man breaking his wrist, and I was determined not to show him how sad all this made me.Honestly, I don't know why Riley's sudden arrival makes me so mad.Maybe it's because Kurt and I have become friends with benefits, but I was a little moved by how close we were together last night.Riley's presence shouldn't have affected me that much.But the impact is really big.This annoyed me so much that I trembled in panic.

A muscle in his jaw tensed. "I had a long talk with Riley after I left you last night." He swallowed and moved closer to me. "I tortured him for what you said. We talked about his wife and everything that happened between me and him."

I swallowed as if I had an unpleasant taste in my mouth. "That's fine. I just need some damn shoes."

He pulled me back, pursing his mouth into a stiff line. "Don't be a brat, talk to me nicely."

I frowned at him. "Anything to say, Kurt?"

He opened his mouth and closed it again.

"Nothing to say. If you want to be with Riley, go for it." I sounded out of breath, which drove me crazy too.I wanted to look like I had nothing to do with it, but my heart was beating so hard I probably wouldn't be able to get out of it. "You've slept with me a few times. Hey, that's great, but it's only physical."

He squinted. "You wouldn't be so angry if it meant nothing to you." His tone was soft.

"I admit it's kind of weird being confrontational with Riley. But don't kid yourself that I'm heartbroken. Because I'm not." I don't want to be sad, subjectively.

His nostrils fluttered. "That's how you pretend to be strong. I've seen signs of you, Paul. You're not as strong as you think you are."

I snorted, pushed him away and walked towards his bedroom. "I guess I'll just wear my own unlucky pair of shoes." I went straight to the bathroom, where I had put the shoes, but couldn't find them.I turned around and saw Kurt standing behind me, "Where's my outfit?"

"Your clothes are in the washing machine, and your boots are there." He pointed to the shower.He has cleaned it for me and there is no more black sludge on it.

I knelt down and picked it up.Then I sit on the toilet and put on my shoes.I don't have socks, but I don't care.All I want now is to get away from Kurt as quickly as possible.I was angry and bewildered at the absurd situation I was in.Riley's smug face kept floating before my eyes.I put on my shoes and got up to go, but Kurt grabbed my arm.

"Paul, wait." His voice was urgent.

I gave him a cold look. "Let me go."

He ignored it and held on tighter. "Why are you angry?"

"I told you, I don't like rivalry."

"I'm not playing tricks."

"You came to the trailer this morning and acted like we've never met. What's that?"

He let go with a grunt. "I don't know how to behave. I'm in a dilemma with you."

"why?"

"Because..." He gasped. "I'm starting to have serious feelings for you."

I swallowed and said nothing.I was speechless in shock.

Is he really interested in me?

"I have an important decision to make, and I need to know what you really think about me, not all the crap you're telling me because you're mad at me. I need to know that you really want me, too. I know we were meant to be It was just a fling. But suddenly it seems like it's more than that." He licked his lips, his eyes bright. "I'm so worried."

My stomach clenches with uneasy excitement, though my brain tells me it's best to go.I don't know how to go about formally dating people.And even if I want a further relationship, I don't live here. "I do not know what to say."

He ran his trembling hands through his wet hair. "I need to know where your heart is."

"Why?" I frowned. "Why do you want to give our relationship a name all of a sudden?"

He looked at me seriously, and then said softly, "Because Riley is leaving his wife for me."