Chapter 57

“Satisfied, buddy?” Josh asked.

“I should have kept my mouth shut.”

“Yes, you should have.”

“I’m sorry. Billy Bob, I owe you an apology as well,” Tom said.

“Excuse me?” The poor boy looked confused.

“You know Josh here is gay, right?”

“Almost everyone at the ranch is gay, JT. What difference does that make? Unless… Do you think I’m one of those… those homophobes, Mr. Cooper?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then… I’m sorry, I don’tunderstand.”

“You’re a very good-looking young man, Mopp. Tom was afraid I wouldn’t be able to control myself around you.”

“Geez, passive-aggressive much, Cooper?” Tom complained.

“I calls ’em like I sees ’em, old man.”

“Hey, I’m only two years older than you.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“I… I’d really like you to be my friend, Mr. Cooper.” Mopp had never given Josh puppy dog eyes before.

“Mopp—” Josh felt himself wavering.

“That is, if you have no objections?”

“Tom?”