Page 37 of Rule the Roost
“Well, I’m trying, but it’s not easy. The way I was raised, boys don’t show emotion. That’s for females, you know. Well, I doubt you know.”
“In India, women are important and loved, but still seen as the weaker sex. Believe me, I know the thinking. It’s not as shouted about as other countries, but I’ve seen it. My mother and father, they were equals in every way.”
“So, you do know. Another thing I do admire about my son and his age group. They respect women, see their female friends as equals. I don’t hear that old locker room talk we used to hear in my high school. But, I don’t hear them all the time.”
“I think they’re more aware of how to talk to people than we were, but each generation has bettered in social aspects. Being gay, for instance. Did you imagine when you were young that gay marriage would be legal?”
“No. Honestly, no. I knew things were moving forward, albeit slowly. To get there, though, that is a landmark.”
I watched him closely as he fidgeted, glancing to and away from me.
“Yes,” I said with a chuckle. “It sure was.”
Chapter Eleven
ThefirstweekendIwas to work at Cowpokes since I’d started my job with Rick was awkward. Well, telling him I’d be gone the weekend was awkward. I asked to speak to him alone, so he took me into his home study, and I sat in front of the beautiful desk, staring out of the big picture window across from me. “How do you get any work done?”
“I’m pointed away from that window,” he informed me, laughing. “What’s up?”
“Right.” I was nervous. He knew about the club, but that didn’t mean he’d understand me working there then here on weekdays, caring for his kids. “I have a once-a-month, weekend job. It’s coming up this weekend.”
“I know. Your friends have taken to give me a head’s up over their weekend guests.”
“They…did?”
“Yeah,” he laughed and sat in his desk chair. “The first couple times, we had an influx of people in the cafes and stores. No one minded, you know? Making money from tourists is part of our financial security here. After Noah Oliver heard the people talking, he brought the guys up here to talk to me.”
“Does Chandler know that?”
“About a kink club for gay men here? No,” he said, laughing in awe. “Why would I tell him that?”
If I told him, I’d be breaking that confidence. But it was valid. “Rick…he’s wondering if you’re playacting that you’re okay with gay people.”
Rick chuckled and mused, “I thought so.”
“You knew?”
“He’s dropped a few hints. Watching my reactions when he speaks about certain celebrities in the community, or issues concerning said community. He’s not as slick as he thinks he is.”
Relieved I hadn’t told Rick anything that would upset Chandler, I sighed heavily. “Okay, good. You’re not acting…right?”
“No, Kanan. I think you know that,” he said as his eyes burned into mine.
“I…was hoping. That’s all. People can disguise themselves.”
If we were still talking about Chandler, our conversations, I’d eat the pretty desk.
“Yes, they sure can. Sometimes, well, without knowing it.”
I stood from the chair, and couldn’t help as my smile spread. “I just wanted you to know…you know, that I can’t make it on our runs for the weekend.”
He’d…changed. There was an air around him that screamed it. He’d…changed overnight and it was disconcerting but also intriguing as hell. “Thanks for letting me know.”
The twitching of his lips into a knowing, almost cryptic smile was keeping me from leaving the room. He sat with his back to the beautiful view, staring into my eyes like he was reading my mind and liking all those thoughts I’d had about him.
“Rick…are you okay?”
“I’m gonna be, yeah. I’m gonna be fine.”