Texas Pride

It surprised Austin how much he looked forward to tonight. Kitt always got up and left in the middle of the night, refusing to stay until the morning. And, he wouldn’t let Austin stay either. Kitt remained vigilantly conscious over where they were and who might be around to see them. Austin slung his backpack over his shoulder at the same time his phone sounded from the dresser. A groan erupted and he warred within himself on answering. If he hadn’t stopped to check his appearance, he never would have heard it. It was always his plan to leave the phone here when he left to go to Kitt tonight. He almost didn’t check it.

But things were too rocky with Cara right now, and the press was still all over his ass so he couldn’t ignore whoever it was contacting him. More importantly, why were they contacting him? Frustrated, Austin stalked across the room to his dresser.

He palmed the phone and read the message. A frown tugged across his brow. His manager, Phillip Philips, sent their designated emergency code through text message. It was the one not to be ignored. He dialed the number quickly, and his call was answered on the first ring.

“Grainger, I think you’re gonna be done with this seclusion thing when you hear this. Scorsese has a new movie. It’s big and he wants you. Sandy Bullock has already signed on. You need to do this, Austin.”

“Please tell me that wasn’t the emergency,” Austin said, a little relieved this was all there was going on. He pivoted and walked down the hall to the living room.

“It’s not, but it’s in my hand. You need to take it,” he said.

“No. I’ve told you I’m done. Now what’s the real reason you’re bothering me?” Austin adjusted his pack across his shoulder and headed for the back door where the cooler was waiting.

“The security reports show you’re spending regular time with some cowboy.” Phillip didn’t even try sugar coating it.

“So?”

“Who is he?”

“Why?” It came out defensive as hell.

“Cara’s concerned.” Phillip’s tone changed from aggressive to worried.

“Why?” Austin repeated his earlier question giving nothing back in way of an explanation.

“She isn’t doing too good, Austin. She’s drinking too much. The pills are stronger and more frequent.”

“I spoke with Seth last night and I’m heading back to LA tomorrow. I’ll take care of it,” Austin said, deciding his manager might not have to be fired by the end of the phone call after all.

“She thought you’d already be back by now.”

“I know, she’s told me, but I couldn’t have been anymore clear to everyone. I’m done. I’m actually happy again. You should give it a try,” Austin said, grinning at his last little dig.

“Austin, just be careful. We don’t know anything about this guy. Let me run him.”

“No! Besides, that would be a waste of time. I’ve known him all my life. Listen, keep the cameras and media focused elsewhere. He already doesn’t know we’re being so recorded. I’ll meet up with you tomorrow, I’m late now,” Austin said, reaching his thumb out to hit end to this call.

“Late for what? Cow chipping?”

The question made Austin smile as he disconnected the call.

A knock sounded on the back door. He looked down at his phone to check the time. How was he again late to meet Kitt? He opened the door a little more aggressively than he planned to before seeing Mike on the back porch.

“Hey boss man, you wanted to see me? You haven’t been around much today,” Mike said in his generally good natured way.

“Something’s come up. Come in for a minute.” Austin held the door open, antsy as hell. His right leg bounced as he tried to slow down and not be rude to Mike.

“You goin’ somewhere?” Mike asked, stepping in only a step or two like he normally did, just enough to shut the door behind him.

“No…well, yeah, I am. I’m packing for a trip. I have to head back to LA tomorrow for a day or two,” Austin said, keeping a hand on the door knob.

“Alright. Well, I’ve got things covered here.” Mike nodded. “I was just headin’ into town. Need me to pick up anything?” Mike asked, his fingers shoved in his front pockets.

“No, I’m good,” Austin said, and opened the back door again. He prayed he didn’t offend Mike, but the sooner he left, the sooner Austin could get out the door. He still needed to walk over to Kitt’s which would make the whole night even later in getting started.

Mike took the hint. Halfway down the porch steps, he looked back at Austin over his shoulder. “Take care.”

“Yep, you too,” Austin responded, and he shut the door, watching

until Mike drove off.

Both back to back conversations totally stressed him out. How had he shut down his entire life to move back to Podunk, Texas in the hopes of finding some freedom only to still be hiding so completely? He’d loved these last few days more than any other time in his life. Having Kitt around, changed everything for him.

Austin was happy again, and his heart actually had a feeling other than negative cynical energy coursing through it. His tattered soul began to heal by leaps and bounds, and it was all due to the sexy cowboy next door who paid him only a little bit of attention.

Kitt didn’t give Austin an inch. He made Austin work for every smile, every conversation they shared, and Austin loved every minute of it all. Even with Cara clearly flipping out, calling him all day and all hours of the night, drunk and stoned, talking smack to everyone; a smile still came to his lips when he thought of Kitt.

Their only problem, if it were even possible, Kitt hid more than he did. And, Austin was beginning to realize that the five or six hours a day he spent with Kitt wasn’t nearly long enough.

For the first couple of nights, it wasn’t much more than non-stop, fantastic sex. Way more sex than Austin had experienced in years. Neither of them seemed to get enough of each other. But, during those marathon hours spent together, Austin realized he actually enjoyed Kitt’s company. The guy was funny, smart and sexy as hell. After two days and tons of ridiculous debating, Austin managed to talk Kitt into agreeing that once they were inside his house, it should be considered nudist territory. Everything they did must be done naked for the sole reason Austin loved to look at Kitt’s rocking body.