Broken Strings

Twenty-One

Their relationship was so easy, Travis thought. From the beginning, even with all the crap they'd both been through in life, they'd just worked together.

He couldn't quite help his jealousy over the matter. Especially as he went to pass through the door to the makeshift bar on the rodeo grounds and saw Sam leaning against the counter, facing the entrance as if he was waiting for Travis to come find him.

That wasn't easy. Hell, that wasn't even supposed to be anything. Not with Sam set to be married and realistically, Travis knew that this thing between them – the late-night rendezvous and sneaky glances – would never lead to anything except heartbreak.

Still, Sam was here and staring at him. Besides, Sam was safe because Travis knew that whatever they were had limits that could not be exceeded. So he could be with Sam on the circuit and eventually that too would end when he was so beaten and bruised that riding broncs was no longer an option, at which point he'd be fully settled in the rest of his life with a nice girl, like Ginger, and he could lock away the Travis who existed only in those dark motel rooms for good.

Travis told himself that he'd be content with only acknowledging the existence of gay Travis while he was still young and unbound by the vows of marriage and so he took one step towards Sam—

And caught Brock's steady gaze, those sea-green eyes shifting like the ocean Travis had never been to.  His breath hitched in his throat and for just a second, it seemed like the world had taken a pause. Like everyone on the entire planet was suspended for the span of a single heartbeat.

Brock turned, his mouth opening to respond to something Stephen had said and time resumed.

"You guys get a table," he said, trying to shake the nerves. "I'll get some drinks. What does everyone want?"

The orders were rattled off and Travis turned for the bar, directly to where a small gap had formed next to Sam. He sidled in, waiting for one of the bartenders to turn his way, which, based on the sizeable crowd, would take a few minutes.

"Hi," Sam said, his voice sweet like honey.

"Hey."

"Thought you might not come for a drink. You seemed unsure earlier."

"I'm just here to grab a drink with my family."

"Well there'll be a group of us heading back to the motel once this place winds down later. You can join us, if you want. I think we're meeting in Johnny's room but Randy and Jordan will be there too. Henry Colbert said he might join. Same with Alyssa Barkos – she's that new barrel racer out of Grand Rapids."

Travis dropped his voice even though he doubted anyone would hear with the music from the loud band booming throughout the space. "What are you doing, Sam? You're in my hometown. I've got family and friends here."

"Look, I just thought—"

"Don't think whatever you were thinking. Not here."

Sam's face hardened a little but he held off answering as the bartender turned to get Travis' order. He rattled it off and as the woman began to rush around, grabbing bottles and filling glasses, Sam murmured lowly, "Is this because of that Tallahassee guy? Are you into him?"

"No."

The word sounded like a lie. 

"Travis."