“Maybe it’s just a little guilt because of Devlon? Even though it has been years, he was still your first and the circumstances of his death were pretty traumatic from what you shared.”
“That’s true. I didn’t think of him once when I was with Vic and Tommy until we started talking about other relationships.”
Ava sat down by the island next to Elise. “So you told them about him?”
Elise shook her head.
“I should have, and there was an opportunity, but I didn’t.”
Ava covered Elise’s hand with her own.
“Hey, when the time is right, you’ll tell them. If this relationship is going to last, there can’t be any secrets.”
Elise thought about that a moment. Vic had secrets about his fears and maybe even Tommy suffered the same nightmares but hadn’t happened to have an episode while she was around. She could trust them with her story. But there was always that fear that whomever she got involved with as a boyfriend or lover could suffer the same fate. The thought alone made her heart ache and tears fill her eyes.
“Hey, it’s okay. You have time to tell them about Devlon.”
She couldn’t share her fear with Ava. Not now. It would be like saying it out loud could make it happen. No, she’d deal with this on her own and tell Tommy and Vic the next time they got together.
“I’m good. You’re right about no secrets or lies. I’ll tell them,” she stated, and Ava smiled.
“Good, now, how about we go do a little shopping for a better outfit for the bull-riding contest? That number the wardrobe person made you wear was a bit much.”
“You’re telling me? I though a boob was going to pop out while I was riding.”
“Well, you sure did draw quite a crowd, and I hate to be the one to tell you, but your picture is plastered all over the place.”
“What?”
“Oh yeah. I just hope Tommy and Vic can handle all the guys drooling over you.”
“Stop it. This is so not me and so not good.”
“We’ll see by Friday night. Hey, Sally’s doing a duet with Billy. They’ve been practicing since eight this morning at the club.”
“Really? And how did Mason and Steven feel about that?”
“Oh, I didn’t say she went alone.”
“Oh God, they are too much.”
“It’s only going to get worse since she’s pregnant. Those two are so overprotective of her.”
The moment Ava said the words “pregnant” and “overprotective,” Elise nearly gasped out loud. Tommy and Vic only used condoms the first time they made love. The rest of the time, they were so caught up in their desires and lust they just basically attacked one another.
“Why do you look like you’re about to pass out?” Ava asked.
“No reason. I just thought of something else I’m going to have to talk to Tommy and Vic about. Something that can’t wait.”
* * * *
“Are you certain?” Tagart asked Tysler as Tagart watched the one video footage of a cowboy named Keith ride the electric bull. He was definitely making that guy an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“Yeah, I’m a hundred percent sure. She was nineteen or so when she took off from the dude ranch in Tennessee.”
“What did she do there and why did she leave?” Tagart asked Tysler.
“You remember that stinking young kid that bet on the bull riding and won the event? The one you needed to get rid of for me?”