Jockeying for You by Stacy Hoff

loudly then winced again, hoping his phone didn’t transmit the sound.
    “Are you okay?”
    “Yes. A little drunk is all.”
    “Where are you? Are you by yourself? Do you need a ride?”
    “No. The country club already arranged car service for us.” He heard nothing. Silence. “Ryder? Are you still there?”
    “Yes, of course.” Her voice sounded tighter now. “I hope you and your date get home safe.”
    “Date?” His voice sounded impassioned now, even to his own ears. “Who said anything about a date?”
    “You said us . So I thought, well, never mind. As long as you’ve got someone to watch out for you I won’t have to worry.”
    But I don’t have someone to watch out for me. That’s why I worry.
    “Good night, Jake. Take care.”
    “Wait!”
    “I’m sorry, what?”
    “I said—I said wait . I’m sorry I dialed you by accident. But I’m not sorry we’re talking.”
    An exasperated exhale came through the phone line. “Go back to the person you’re with, Jake Carter. And sober up.”
    “You can tell I’m really drunk, huh?”
    “I’d have to be deaf to not figure it out. Go back to the person you’re with and go home.”
    He paused. Maybe because she knew he was drunk he could get away with his next words. “I’d rather talk to you. Have you bring me home. I like you, Ryder Hannon. I like you a lot.”
    She laughed. “You had more to drink than I thought. Are you sure your country club is calling car service for you?”
    “I may be drunk but I’m also honest. I think you’re hot.” His head was swimming. He hoped to God he wouldn’t regret this in the morning.
    “Okay, Romeo. I’ll be nice and forget all about this little drunk dialing escapade. Have a good ni—”
    “I’m serious, Ryder. It’s not the alcohol talking. I’m attracted to you. You’re so kind. To everybody, not just animals. It’s like you have magical charms and everything falls under your spell. I’m under your spell.”
    “Jake—”
    “I’m serious! I think you’re amazing. Beautiful inside and out.”
    She was quiet. His heart beat fast and heavily. “Say something, Ryder. Anything. We can always deny later this phone call ever happened. No matter what, I still want you training Handsome Dancer.”
    After a moment, her voice came through the line, no louder than a whisper. “Promise we’ll forget this conversation ever happened?”
    His heart was now thundering in his chest. “I give you my word.”
    “I like you, too, Jake.”
    Her voice was so soft. Had he heard wrong? Or maybe she just meant she liked him as an owner. Or a friend.
    “Have a good night, Jake.”
    “You, too, Ryder.”
    “Thanks,” she said quietly before hanging up.
    Jake felt a hole in his stomach. Nerves from talking to her? Or alcohol-induced nausea? He was starting to feel lightheaded, too. Given the fact his brother-in-law’s face was bloated and green, Steven was faring no better.
    “I’ve got to go,” Steven said miserably. His head hung low like a hound dog that’d been punished for behaving badly.
    “Right. Let me get a paper bag before I get into a car with you.”
    “Me? You’re no better. You look like you’re gonna puke, too.”
    “No way. I’m made of steel.”
    The two men left the bar, passing several lushly decorated corridors before they reached the front lobby of the grandiose facility. The concierge came right over to them. “We have car service already waiting for you two gentlemen.”
    “Thanks. And thank the bartender for me, will you?”
    “Yes, of course, sir. But a woman called us about your need for car service, too.”
    Steven was miserable again, his eyes downcast like a defeated dog. “Damn. Dina doesn’t trust me. I told her we’d make sure we got home safely.”
    “Sorry to correct you, sir, but the lady who called was a Ms. Hannon.”
    A large grin spread out over Jake’s face. “I guess she does care,” he marveled.
    “Yeah,” Steven said, elbowing Jake in the gut.