Chapter 10 Rhett #2
“Because I ride bareback, I’m not as versed in saddle bronc, but there’s still a similarity between the two. Both types need to mark their horses on exit. Get those feet up on the first buck out of the chute. That’s also going to set your tempo for the ride and work for a higher score.”
The four men in tonight’s session are saddle bronc riders, and while I’ve done it in the past, I prefer the more rough and wild bareback style. Which is perhaps fitting for me in more ways than I care to admit.
The cowboys who aren’t on rides tonight help man the chutes and load the broncs. Wilbur has joined me, and after a short session with each man one-on-one, I’m now in the ring as a pickup man and a very critical judge.
The first rider bursts from the gates, and I take in his feet and overall form, as well as how the bronc behaves. The horn sounds after eight seconds, and I run Wilbur alongside the bronc so the rider can dismount safely.
Before the next rider is out of the chute, I dismount to deliver my feedback to each rider while it’s fresh. It’s not until the third rider finishes that a voice rings out in the arena.
“How about that pickup man!” A wolf whistle sounds, and the men laugh as our heads swivel to the source.
Diamond.
I don’t know if he’s watched all the riders or just this one, but it’s the first time he’s made his presence known. He waves when I turn his way, and more laughter sounds as he stands and waves harder, blowing me a kiss.
Our gazes meet, and he raises an eyebrow. I shake my head, unsure of what he wants. He blows me another kiss, this time motioning for me to catch it. With all eyes on us, I’m flustered by the attention, but I don’t want to let him down. I grab the kiss in the air and press it over my heart.
“For all that’s good and holy, don’t be a mushy sap. I already live with one. I don’t need a second,” Hunter says as he leans over the railing towards me.
“No promises on that one. What are you doing here? I thought it was 4H night?”
“It was. There was an issue, and I need to talk to you about something before you come home.” His grin turns wicked. “Unless you’re not coming home tonight?”
My head swivels to find Diamond, and I turn back to Hunter quickly. “I don’t know, but yeah, we can talk after. I just have one more rider for the night.”
“I’m going to join Diamond and watch them.”
Hunter jogs up the bleachers, and I return my focus to the next rider.
“Rhett, you didn’t tell us we could bring a fan club,” one rider quips.
“It’s just one spectator. You ride for hundreds or more at rodeos that cheer for you.”
The young cowboy smirks as he settles onto his bronc. “True. But none of them watch me like he’s watching you.”
My skin tingles with awareness. “Don’t forget to point your feet and spur on exit.” Turning Wilbur around, my gaze meets Diamond’s, and I huff a low breath before turning back to watch the rider.
It’s hard to focus on the bronc. Everything blurs together and it feels like I’m caught staring through the windshield into the setting sun.
Yet somehow the rider thanks me for my input and before I know it, I’m helping the contractor load up the broncs and confirming the delivery of fresh horses tomorrow.
When I finally make it to the office, I’m on edge. Like I don’t know if I want to run or collapse with exhaustion or somehow do both.
Hunter looks up from the desk as I walk in and grins in a way that sometimes annoys me. Like he knows something I don’t.
“Great job today. How do you feel about it?”
“It was long, but I liked it.” My feet hurt, and I’m tired as hell, but it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in the sport since I started. “It’ll take time to get used to, but it will be a hit. Especially once you grow and bring in more instructors.”
“I’m glad to hear that because once we work out the kinks, I have plans to grow, and I’ll need your help.” He motions for me to sit, and I gratefully sink into the sofa.
“I need to sleep for a week.” I joke, and Hunter winces.
“About that…” He sits next to me on the sofa, and I’m immediately on edge. “I’m not kicking you out. You can breathe, but something big just happened, and I want to give you the choice.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, nobody is dying or anything, but Gabe and me have been talking about kids for a while and…” He runs a hand down his face and looks upward.
“I never thought I’d ever say that,” he laughs, but it’s shaky.
“There’s a kid at 4H who has been struggling.
He’s already in foster care, and the family he’s with is having problems dealing with him.
It got to a breaking point tonight, and we’ve taken him in. ”
“So you need me out of your space?”
“No. There’re lots of rooms in that old house, and you’re welcome to stay until you find a place still.
I just wanted to give you a warning that it might get a little chaotic at the farm, and I’ll probably be distracted for a while.
I know the timing is shit, and I’m sorry, but the kid is a mess.
I understand if you’re angry at the change, but he needs us, and I want to be there for him. ”
Hunter’s tone is both defensive and vulnerable. I may not know him as well as everyone else, but I know enough to understand the importance of this decision.
“Don’t be sorry one bit. He’s a kid, and if anyone can help him out, it’s you and Gabe. You have a great relationship. He’ll settle in time.” I squeeze his shoulder. “I would’ve appreciated someone like you when I was his age.”
Hunter’s eyes shine with unshed tears, and he clears his throat. “Yeah, I hope so. He’s a good kid. Loves rodeo and the 4H club and not much else. Except eating.” We both laugh before turning quiet again. “I just wanted to give you a heads up before you came home…unless you weren’t?”
Until now, I hadn’t thought I’d be going anywhere but back to my room at Hunter’s place. But things have changed in a short time. I want to be with Diamond. Am I ready to start something? I honestly don’t know.
“I have to see Tater. She’s been home all day.”
Hunter nods as if he expected me to say something like that.
“Gabe has taken care of her. Don’t worry about that. Unless that’s the excuse you want to use.”
His gaze cuts to mine, and he lifts an eyebrow. The smirk that he knows something I don’t returns. “Go with your gut, Rhett. Don’t let your past hold you back from a good man.”
That’s a better message than warning me not to break Diamond’s heart, or I’ll regret it.
“I don’t know what I want with him, and I don’t want to create any tension in the group.”
“There’s no tension except the one you seem to keep fabricating.
You’re not a dickhead, and you’re not gonna use him and shit on his feelings.
I know you won’t. So just try it out and see where it goes.
We certainly won’t judge if it doesn’t work, and we’re still friends.
Just be a fucking adult about it if it goes sideways.
” He clears his throat and softens his voice.
“Diamond isn’t a delicate flower, Rhett.
He knows the risks, too. Have fun with each other, if nothing else. ”
If nothing else, I deserve fun. That much I can agree with, and maybe I can live with just something fun and casual.
Not every relationship needs to lead to the altar.
I wasn’t totally lying when I said I wanted to see Tater, though. An odd sensation washes over me when all these things crash into my brain at once. A relief that they cared for Tater while I’m not around, and also relief that Hunter basically gave me permission to just have fun.
Not that I needed permission, but…maybe I sort of did.
“I’ll text you if I’m not coming home.”
“All right.” He slaps his hands to his thighs and stands. “Have a good night.”
Hunter gathers his things and leaves me in the office. It’s 9 P.M., but I’ve been going hard since 6 A.M., with the only real break coming when Diamond showed up at suppertime. It’s then I remember I tucked the cookie he made me into my pocket, and I pull it out to have a snack.
Mmm, banana.
Taking a bite, I savour the cookie that was him ‘trying something new’ and finally admit to myself that it was just for me and recognize his small gestures for what they are.
“Am I interrupting?” Diamond’s voice in the doorway pulls me from my thoughts, and I push out all the noise in my head completely for the first time since arriving here.
“No, you’re just in time.”