Charles started to welcome Roper, but Gresham spoke up first. Or perhaps he was just louder. It was difficult to say for sure.
“Hey, man. Have a seat. We were just getting down to business. I ordered some shots.”
Roper stared at Ryder, who stared back, lips tight. “Well…that’s kind of you, I reckon.”
Roper sat between Gresham and Ryder, the act deliberate and sure.
That made him feel much better. He picked up his beer and leaned back in his chair letting Roper handle this.Twins, he reminded himself. Ryder belonged to Roper first.
“So, I was just saying that the calendar I’m working on needs the two of you.” Gresham leaned back as the shots arrived, then put one in front of each of them.
Ryder ignored it. “I’m retired.”
“My clientele won’t care. Y’all are still a fantasy. Just one photo shoot.”
“Are they pictures we could show our granny?” Ryder said.
Gresham laughed. “Only if you usually skinny dip with her. Pay is good. Buy Granny a new wheelchair.”
“I’m leaving. Roper?”
“What?”
“We’re leaving.” Ryder stood up. “Right now. We aren’t doing this.”
Gresham pushed a shot glass closer to Roper and leaned forward. “Half up-front, Roper. I’ll take you by yourself.”
“Ry—It’s good money.”
“I’m leaving.” Ryder stared Roper down. “You make your own bed in this. I won’t.”
Charles set his beer down and stood with Ryder. He didn’t say a word, but his stance said more than enough for Roper to understand.
Gresham didn’t look the least bit ashamed of himself. “It’s ridiculous money. And the fans are going to eat it up, Roper.”
“Our momma will see it.” Ryder stared until Roper stood.
“Sorry, man. Ryder isn’t in, I’m not either.”
Gresham stood as well. “Ryder’s old news, Roper. He’s washed up. You’re the celebrity now. Don’t let him ruin this opportunity for you.”
Roper tilted his head and blinked like a lizard. “Pardon me? Are you insulting my brother?”
Ryder whispered, “Oh, shit.”
Charles thought about stepping in and cooling things down, but they were on cowboy turf right now, and he had no intention of stepping into something he knew nothing about. This wasn’t his milieu.
Fortunately, Gresham seemed to realize his mistake. “Now, Roper. I’m just telling you that you have a fan base now, and you should cash in on it.”
“And I’m telling you no.”
The twins stood side-by-side, and Charles knew without a shadow of a doubt they could tear this photographer into tiny pieces.
Gresham nodded, admitting defeat with his body language. “I hear you. It’s a shame, but I hear you.”
“Come on, Roper. Let’s go.” Ryder met his eyes. “Charles? You coming?”
“Yes.” The look in Ryder’s eyes was smoking hot. This was a bull rider he was looking at, and the side of Ryder that had taken care of Roper for so long. “Right behind you.”