He was beginning to understand Ryder, perhaps even on a higher level than Ryder knew himself, and he didn’t want to make a mess of things.
Ryder squeezed his hand, reminding him to be present, which he certainly was not at the moment. “Should we have mimosas?”
“Orange juice and sparkly booze for the win!” Ryder seemed younger, almost carefree.
“I would agree it’s a win.” The hotel restaurant was busy, but the scent of hot baked goods and maple syrup was strong. “I believe we’ve come to the right place.”
“I texted Roper. He’ll be down in a few.” Ryder rolled his eyes. “Don’t expect him to eat. He’s riding and staying lean.”
Ah, yes. “Fighting weight, you explained that to me.” Charles nodded, feeling like he was starting to understand this sport, for all of its insanity. “Starve yourself so you’re light enough to risk your life sitting on the back of a bucking bull for eight seconds. It all sounds perfectly reasonable.” He glanced at Ryder and grinned.
“You know it. Best money in the business, if you can stick and stay healthy.”
“That’s a big if, given what I saw last night.” They were seated in a booth, and people swooped in bringing coffee, water, and a basket of breakfast pastries. He picked up his coffee. “We’re going to the city after the weekend, right?”
Ryder checked his phone, then nodded. “Yes, Sir. You have meetings on Tuesday and Thursday. So you have us going to the city Sunday evening and returning to the lake house Friday morning.”
“Perfect. Thank you. No more business now. Mimosas.” He waved a server over and ordered, then smiled at Ryder. “Will you still keep my calendar even if you don’t work for me?”
“Yes. I don’t want anyone else taking care of you like I do. It’s important.”
Important. Ryder used that word often for things that mattered to him, and it was clear that he wanted to keep his job without calling it work.
“It is important. I trust you, and I can’t say that about too many people. I won’t hire anyone, I promise.”
“I’ve got your back. I swear to God.” Ryder winked at him. “I won’t let you down.”
“I know, cowboy.” He wanted to tell Ryder that this was bigger than letting him down, but in some ways, for Ryder, it wasn’t, and he understood that. He wasn’t sure why, but it seemed to fit.
Ryder beamed at him, offering him the breadbasket to choose from.
He plucked a biscuit out of the basket and reached for the butter, hungrier than he’d expected to be. That was probably because of all that exercise he’d gotten the night before.
He allowed himself a private bit of smug pleasure over that.
He’d made his cowboy ache for him, and soon he’d been in that tight body, once he found condoms and lube.
That would be one of today’s errands. He didn’t plan on waiting until they got to New York; he knew he couldn’t make it that long. “What are you going to eat, do you think? Should we order some fruit or something for Roper?”
“I’ll get him an egg white omelet with tomatoes and spinach. I’m thinking waffles. Crunchy, syrupy goodness.”
“I am famished. I am going to have pancakes with a fried egg and sausage.” And he might have seconds if it didn’t make Roper uncomfortable.
“Sounds good to me.” Ryder smiled at him, shook his head. “I hate egg whites. I had them for ten years, every damn morning. Hate them.”
He had to laugh. “You cowboys really sell your souls to this sport. I understand that plenty of athletes do—Olympicgymnasts, NBA players, marathon runners, etcetera—but I couldn’t imagine never eating a full egg.” He shook his head. He was much too lazy.
“Well, it’s only for twenty years, if you’re super lucky. Most of us, it’s for ten or so.” Ryder wasn’t being facetious. He was serious as a heart attack.
Charles wasn’t going to pretend to understand, but he also didn’t want to insult anyone by saying so. Fortunately, he was saved by the appearance of the server, who refilled their coffees.
“I think we’d like to order please.”
“Absolutely.” The server was smiling at Ryder as if she knew a secret. “What can I get you?”
“I’d like waffles and a side of crispy bacon.”
“I can do that, and you?” She looked Charles up and down as if she were measuring him.