Chapter 16 Rhett
sixteen
Rhett
“Thanks so much for your help this week, Alec. It’s been great getting to know you.”
Alec shakes my hand before pulling Hunter into a hug.
“It was my pleasure. Felt good to help and to see this guy’s face again.”
The two friends hug again and share a silent gaze between them. Hunter swipes at his eyes and pushes Alec towards the exit. “Message me when you get home. Thanks again, Alec,” Hunter calls as Alec nods and waves before exiting the training facility.
Hunter puffs out a breath. “Well, another successful session, right?”
“I’d say so. Warren even got into it a little.”
Hunter beams. “Yeah, he did, didn’t he? Thanks for that.
I’ve been spending a lot of time with him on the ranch.
Giving him the structure and discipline that he needs, and I’m pretty sure he wants.
Bringing him here, I think, was the right thing.
He has an interest in roping, and I’d love it if he wanted to compete. ”
Hunter rubs at his chest, and I wonder if he even knows how transparent he is about his feelings for Warren. He loves that boy fiercely, and I’m happy for him and Gabe.
Together, we lock up the building and walk out to our vehicles. “I love teaching kids about rodeo. It’s a bonus to get paid for it.”
“You might change your tune on that if I bring the 4H group by, Rhett. They are high-strung with a capital H.” We both laugh and pause at his truck. “See you at the house tonight?”
“You bet. Big weekend coming.”
He nods in agreement. “You’ll fucking kill it, Rhett.”
After Hunter drives off, I load Tater into the truck and make a quick stop at the grocery store for road snacks. I’m not driving to the next rodeo with Hunter and Levi. This one is a bronc rider event only with a huge prize pool, so I’m travelling solo. Unless you count Tater.
Tater will keep me company for the weekend, and by the time I return, I’ll have the keys to my new house. Things are moving fast, and I’m excited about getting settled.
As I’m walking into Hunter’s place, my phone pings with a message.
Diamond: Good luck this weekend. Briarwood Broncfest, right?
Rhett: Yeah. Thanks! What are you doing this weekend?
Diamond: Probably streaming Broncfest if I can.
I’m smiling at my phone, Tater clicking at my heels, and I run right into Gabe and Hunter’s foster son, Warren, in the hallway.
“Shit. I’m sorry, Warren.”
He grunts and shoves away from me, continuing towards the kitchen. “Is Hunter on his way home yet? Gabe told me to wait for him to eat, but I’m fucking starving.”
Warren runs a hand through his hair and stares into the fridge. “Fuckin’ fuck,” he mutters and drops his head back before grumbling, “I don’t know how to do this.”
I shove my phone into my pocket. “Can I help?”
I know Gabe and Hunter and have been trying to get Warren to cook and be more confident with literally everything. They filled the fridge with pre-chopped vegetables and meat to help, but the anxiety rolls of Warren in waves and I step in.
“My grandpa taught me how to cook. Let me show you something?”
Warren nods, and I take the chicken and broccoli out of the fridge. “Have you ever made minute rice?” Warren shakes his head, and as I wash my hands, I nod towards the pantry. “Go look for the blue box that says Minute Rice. I’ll show you.”
Warren stands next to me a moment later with the box, biting at his lip as his fingers slowly run over the cooking directions.
He struggles with reading still, and bullying at school was only part of his problems. Watching him with me in the kitchen, sounding out words to himself and reading the instructions out loud, is something I hope he’s shown Gabe and Hunter.
“Doesn’t sound too hard,” he finally says, and I smile.
“No, it’s really not. Why don’t you start that, and I’ll show you how to cook the rest to be ready at the same time as the rice.”
“Yeah. Cool.”
Watching Warren measure is painful in ways I didn’t expect. He’s trying so hard to make it perfect, and I know he didn’t have a great home life. Mine wasn’t great either, but at least I had someone to encourage me that the water was just fine and to pour.
“Can I just eyeball the amount of butter? Why would you boil butter?” He scrunches his nose, and I chuckle.
“It adds flavour to the rice. Like when you add salt to the water for your pasta. You can totally leave it out, though.” I motion for him to take my place and hand him a spatula. “I’m right here. Follow my instructions, and you can take the credit for cooking.”
He nods, and I lean on the counter, instructing him as he first cooks broccoli in the wok with water, then removes it and adds the chicken with a splash of oil. His rice water comes to a boil, so I dump in the rice and explain to just stir it and set it aside covered.
“You should be a chef, Rhett!”
“I’m a sous chef at best. I learned to do this by just trying, you know. Don’t be afraid of it. Making mistakes is how you learn.”
He’s quiet for a moment before he whispers, “I got in trouble for wasting food. My therapist says I’ll manage that better in time.”
The confession is unexpected, and he turns a shaky smile my way. I feel a sense of pride that he feels comfortable sharing with me, and I don’t doubt that he will turn into a fine young man that Hunter and Gabe will be proud to call their own.
“You will, Warren. You’re doing great.”
The door opens, and Hunter’s voice calls out. “Smells great in here!”
A tiny smile flits across Warren’s face, and I clap him on the shoulder. “Can you finish up with Hunter? I know he’d love to see what you’ve done.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Hunter enters the kitchen with a furrowed brow as he notices Warren at the stove. I dip my head towards Warren. “It’s under control. A simple chicken and broccoli with rice should be ready in about two minutes. Warren can tell you what needs to be done.”
Hunter claps me on the shoulder as I leave them to it. I don’t feel unwelcome here, but the timing to move out is perfect. It may take a village to raise a child, but they need to bond as a family, and it’s best if I get out of the way.
Tater follows me upstairs and watches as I pack a bag for the trip, and then remember I’d been chatting with Diamond before I ran into Warren.
Diamond: Found it. It’s a local TV station I can tune into online. Drive safe tomorrow, cowboy.
Rhett: Thanks.
After a shower, I slide under the blankets and invite Tater up with me. When I return after the weekend, I’ll be packing up my stuff and getting the keys to my house. There’s no other person I want to be with me when I move in, and it’s time I told him that.
Rhett: I know this is short notice, and you don’t have to say yes, but would you be able to join me when I get the keys next week? I’d like to celebrate the new house with you.
Diamond: I’d be honoured to be your first guest!
Rhett: I’ll let you know when I’m home. Good night, beautiful.
After silencing my phone, I turn off the lamp and pull Tater close.
“You like him, don’t you, girl?” She kisses my cheek and wiggles in my arms. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
After arriving in Briarwood, I checked into the event and parked my truck in the field with thirty other half-tonnes. Most of us were spending at least tonight and leaving tomorrow after the competition. Hopefully, with a boost to my bank account.
“Hey, Rhett!” Toby, a long-time rider, strides over to me with a grin on his face. “Long time, my friend. How are things?”
“Hey, Toby. Things are pretty good. They’ll be better once I take home some money this weekend.”
“I’m sure you will. You’re always the hotshot at these things.” He motions over his shoulder towards a tiny camper. “I brought my wife. Come join us tonight for supper, and we’ll catch up.”
“I’d love that. I’ll head over once I’m settled, if that’s okay?”
“Absolutely. Bring a chair, and I’ll see you soon.”
While it would be nice to have a camper, I brought my tent this time and hoped the Briarwood Broncfest would have the facilities it did in the past. They aren’t luxurious, but I appreciate a place to shower and take a piss without someone walking by.
Hotels are 40 km away from the rodeo grounds, so this is far more convenient. Especially when we have multiple rounds of rides in two days.
My tent fits over the bed of my truck, and it’s easy enough to set up. My mattress self-inflates, and a sleeping bag and pillow are all I need.
Lifting Tater inside, I lie on what’s going to be my bed for the next two nights and pull out my phone. After snapping a selfie with my face pressed next to Tater’s, I open my text string with Diamond and send it.
He replies with his own selfie a moment later, and a laugh bursts from my lips.
Diamond is at work, of course, and instead of a dog, he has a coffee mug pressed to his cheek.
His smile radiates the easy happiness I’ve always wanted, and I trace his lips with a fingertip.
I stare at the photo for longer than I should, and with shaking fingers, I reply.
Rhett: Do you think I could wake up to that smile next week?
Diamond: That could probably be arranged. What morning are you thinking?
Every single morning I’m alive.
The thought bursts into my brain, knocking the breath from my lungs.
Rhett: Whatever day works best for you. I’ll make you my famous pastina for supper.
Diamond: Only if you teach me how to make it too.
Rhett: You’d want that?
Diamond: Why wouldn’t I?
I can think of a dozen reasons someone like Diamond might not be interested in something as boring as making pasta. Maybe that’s just me thinking history will repeat itself, but if he asked…
Rhett: Most people find it boring or want something fancier, is all.
Diamond: I’m not most people, in case you haven’t noticed yet.
No, he sure isn’t, and that’s the most terrifying thing about what I’m going to do next.
Rhett: I’ve noticed, Diamond. Maybe more than I’m ready to admit to you, but yes, I’ll teach you.