Page 35 of All of Us

He cocked his head toward the front gate. “Let’s go for a ride, and I can show you some more sexy things when we get back.”

I liked that idea. Dusty was a few feet ahead of Amber, and I watched as Gentry spun around and sat backwards. Now he faced me while the horses continued to walk forward.

“We’re going to work on a few technical things today to make riding easier.”

“Am I doing it wrong?” All the confidence I had slipped away.

“No. No. Not wrong, but these things will help you be comfortable and have more control.” His smile went to his eyes, which made my heart trip a few steps. “See how your feet are pushed all the way into the stirrup, pull them back a little so the ball of your foot is resting on the loop part, and push your heel down a little.”

I did as he instructed and immediately felt more centered. “Okay, yeah, that feels better.”

“Now slide your very fine ass back so you are sitting on your seat bones and you want to make a straight line from shoulder to heels.” Again, I adjusted myself as he suggested. “You can use your knees and calves for more control. Watch.”

Gentry turned around and put his hands in the air. I admired his long, lean lines; even through his shirt, I could see the muscles flex. Dusty stopped and backed up, then spun in a circle, walked forward, and then easily walked around Amber and me. What was most impressive was that Gentry wasn’t speaking to the animal, but I could see his knees and thighs flexing. He did more circles and spins, then came up next to me, where we walked side by side again.

“Damn. He is amazing. I don’t know much about horses, but I know he is exceptional.”

He leaned over and hugged the horse’s neck. “He is my best friend.” Gentry looked at me, and I could see his blush. “I’ve told him all my secrets.” The smile he gave me was almost bashful. “I even told him how much I liked you, Joe.”

Again, those funny feelings were in my stomach, which made it difficult to look at him. I managed to swallow the lump in my throat.

“I like you too.” It came out deep and rough, my emotion clear in my voice.

“There is something you need to know about me.” He said his voice turned serious.

Oh, god, what’s about to happen? I started to tremble. Was he about to tell me he couldn’t go any further with me after we’d been together a few times?

“There was a boy a long time ago that I loved so much that he will always have some of my heart.” I listened as we walked along the trail and he told me about Dusty. He smiled when he talked about his friend, while he rode the horse with the same name. I understood why he told me this story: it was up to me to decide whether I could live with it.

When he had finished, I smiled. “He sounds like a good person. You’ve had no relationships in the last twelve years?” He twisted his lips and looked down. When he looked back up, I saw a lot of pain.

“No. It wasn’t like I was opposed, but I hadn’t found someone who interested me enough. I think I always compare them to Dusty. The horse and the man.” He gave me a smile.

“Oh.”

“Joe, you are the first person I’ve genuinely felt anything about since him, but I needed you to know. A little bit of me may always be locked away. And it wouldn’t be fair to you if you didn’t know.”

I felt really good about what he said, and I thought I could share his heart with that boy, whom he lost so long ago.

We rode along quietly for a while, and he let me sit with my thoughts.

“Gentry. I like you a lot, and I would like to explore this thing between us more. If it goes somewhere, I understand that there is a piece of your heart that belongs to Dusty.” I realized that sounded weird to me since I was dating a guy named Dusty. I needed to explain my situation once we got back to my house and had a glass of wine.

“Yeah?” I loved the smile I got, and a whole kaleidoscope of butterflies took off inside me.

“Yeah.”

The joy shone from his eyes, “Let’s do this then?”

“I’d like that.” We finished our ride, then headed over to my house.

I really hoped there would be more than just dinner.

Chapter fourteen

JOE

I liked having Gentry in my space because his presence comforted me.