Chapter 14

Max was losing his puppy teeth, so Austin had to keep an eye on him because the pup thought his boots were chew toys. Granted, the boots were getting tight, but that didn’t mean Austin wanted them ruined.

“Come on, rowdy. Let’s go take care of the horses.”

Max seemed to understand because he bolted from the bedroom and was already halfway downstairs.

His grandmother called out to him before he made it outside. He opened the door to let Max out to do his business while Austin tracked her down to see what she wanted.

“Do you have plans for the remaining three stalls?”

“Mrs. Draper will take one of them when she gets a new horse. I haven’t talked to anyone about the other two,” Austin said.

“Your mom and Charlie are going to buy at least two horses. They may want to get another one for his daughter. So, for now, put a hold on the last two stalls.”

“Mom’s going to start riding again?”

“She wants to spend more time with you,” Grandma Montgomery said.

Austin heard a car pull up. Emma looked out the window.

“It’s Mrs. Draper with Sally and Rob,” Emma said.

“Go save them from Max and send them in,” Grandma Montgomery told him. “Emma made carrot cake and a fresh pot of coffee.”

“They better not eat it all,” Austin worried.

Emma chuckled and said, “I’ll hide some for later.”

Austin saw that Max had conned Rob into throwing his ball.

“My grandmother has carrot cake and fresh coffee. She invited you in while I get the horses ready,” Austin said.

“I could use some coffee,” Sally said.

That earned her a look from her mother.

“What? Sometimes I need a pick-me-up,” Sally explained.

It looked like Mrs. Draper had learned the whole ‘pick your battles’ philosophy because she didn’t say anything more to her daughter. She called Rob, and the three of them took Max inside.

All the horses knew Austin was the one who let them out of their stalls, so they all had their heads out. They wanted his attention before he went to the tack room to get their gear.

Austin had saddled the horses and grabbed a breakfast sandwich when Shea, Simone, and Steph showed up. On the ride to Blackwater, Rob was in a hurry to see his friends, so he and his mom left the group behind.

Once they were out of earshot, the interrogation began.

“What’s Club DTF?” Steph asked.

Austin glanced over at Sally and saw her sudden interest.

“It’s a sex club. Liam and Oliver found some porn of college kids who started one and made a series of videos. I think they thought they’d get laid on a regular basis if they did the same,” Austin said.

“Is it true you hired hookers for the party tomorrow night?” Simone asked.

“Escorts, actually,” Austin said.

“What’s the difference?” Shea asked.

“It’s much classier. They normally entertain more high-end clients and offer what they call the ‘girlfriend experience.’ I guess they go on dates with professionals who don’t have time for an actual relationship,” Austin said.

“But they have sex with them?” Simone asked.

“Sometimes.”

“Every local boy who goes to Horace Green is breaking into their trust fund,” Shea shared.

“Dirty little pervs. I bet Peter’s out robbing a liquor store as we speak,” Simone said.

“Peter?” Sally asked, saving Austin the trouble.

“Mia’s younger brother. She said Noah spilled the tea, and Peter’s blackmailing them to bring him to the party,” Simone said.

“Will people really be having sex at the party?” Sally asked.

“Emma said one of the escorts is planning that part of it. There might be a public display to kick the night off,” Shea said.

“Will you be getting naked?” Simone asked Austin.

He shrugged and said, “I am part of the club. It’s sort of expected.”

When they got to the riding club, Sally held him back.

“Be careful. Victor plans to be there and is looking to even the score.”

“Thanks, that’s good to know.”

“Question?”

“Yes?”

“Should I go to this party?”

Austin took a moment to think about his answer.

“Probably not,” he said, then added, “It’s not that I don’t think you might want to participate. It’s just that I don’t get the vibe that you’re the kind of girl who’s into being seen doing that kind of stuff in public.”

Sally left Austin to his task. He needed to set up his obstacle course before the students arrived.

The class had been a success. Austin’s novice riders looked more confident when they could do most of the tasks, and his more experienced riders showed improvement in communicating with their horses. Red also enjoyed doing something besides just trotting down a trail.

With Red in mind, Austin was excited by the offer Mrs. Warren brought him.

“The Kid’s TV Network just contacted me. Five of their actors will star in a made-for-TV movie and need to be taught how to ride. They asked if there was anyone around their age available to teach them, and I thought of you and Miss Sandy.”

Austin rarely watched the network, but besides cartoons, they did a lot of musical stuff. Some of the singers had talent, and people in the business predicted they would someday have careers in music.

“I’d be willing to help,” Austin said.

Mrs. Warren said she would get him info when she had more details.

Austin rode back to his grandmother’s stables with everyone. Once Shea and her friends had left, Mrs. Draper took him aside.

“I’m taking Sally and Rob to their friends’ houses. I was hoping I could pick you up and take you to my place, and you’d give me another massage.”

“Why not do it here?” Austin asked.

“I dunno, it’s just sort of weird doing it under your grandmother’s roof. I’d be more comfortable at my place.”

“Why don’t I just meet you at your house? Send me a message when you head back,” Austin said.

“But you’re too young to drive.”

Austin rolled his eyes.

“Let me worry about that.”

She wasn’t happy but agreed.

Naomi was nervous, but couldn’t get out of her head how much better she felt after her last massage. Her nervousness confused her because she’d used her looks to get what she wanted from an early age. She remembered how easy it had been to control guys with a flirty look or batting of the eyes.

Before she married her husband, Naomi had been a master at putting a guy into the friend zone. Once there, she would have them do stuff for her. The guys were happy that she paid them any attention.

She knew how horrible that sounded and hoped she’d outgrown it.

Austin’s massage made Naomi realize what she’d given up when she married Tom at such a young age. She became pregnant almost immediately, and it was like she’d lost her youth. Her life had been about adult stuff through her twenties and early thirties. Naomi spent her time on efforts like raising kids and running a household. And, unfortunately, being married to a man who cared more about what she looked like on his arm than their marriage.