Chapter 51
Chapter fifty-one
Dakota
“Did you see me?” Trace asks, his face lit up like the Fourth of July. “Rode that bull a full eight seconds.”
“You did?” I ruffle his hair. “I bet you scored more points than Parker,” I tease.
“No one gets more points than Parker,” he says as he adjusts the huge belt buckle on his jeans.
“Is there a reason we are bringing up him?” Laiken asks.
I lift a brow, waiting for her to continue.
Which she doesn’t. Laiken can be as closed up as they come.
She thinks I don’t see that something obviously happened with her and Parker at some point in time.
But she hasn’t disclosed a single detail.
She just rolls he eyes or changes the subject when his name comes up. Interesting.
“He’s riding in the championship next weekend.” Trace fist pumps. “Gonna kick some ass.”
“Trace!” Laiken hisses.
“Damn right he is,” Maddox chimes in.
“You are not helping,” Laiken scolds.
“Come on buddy. One more game and it’s closing time.” Maddox grabs Trace by the waist, hoisting him over his shoulder.
“Those two.” Ivy laughs. “I think my ovaries explode every time I see them together.”
I laugh, letting the image of what a baby would look like for me and Coop. Would he want more kids? We already have a teenager.
Definitely didn’t see that coming.
“I need to use the bathroom really quick. Let Coop know I’ll be right back,” I tell Ivy.
Moving through the crowd, I give Fern a wave as she waits in line for a corn dog. Of course, she gives me a scowl before turning away. I almost laugh, but I bump into a tall figure.
“Oh sorry!” I apologize, before stepping around him and up to the portable trailers. Whoever invented a portable bathroom that has AC, I would like to personally shake their hand. There is nothing worse than peeling blue jeans off your sweaty ass when you need to urinate.
The line moves quick. I can’t help but smile as I watch a little girl about four with pigtails attempt to wash her hands while wildly reenacting her pony ride. It’s precious, and for the first time, I actually feel like that was something that was in reach.
When I exit the trailer, the cool autumn air hits my face.
The days may still be warm, but the evenings are when it feels the best. Texas rarely gets a fall.
It’s either scorching hot or freezing cold.
The in between is sporadic, and rare, so I always take advantage.
Tonight would be a great night to ride out to the ridge.
When I take a step, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I expect a text from Cooper, but the unknown name is what stops me cold.
I gulp, pausing to swipe the screen.
My heart stops. My world crashing when I open the screen to see a picture of Arizona. On the teacup ride. My hand trembles as another comes in. One of her and Cooper laughing by the popcorn stand. And the last is a picture of me standing at the trailer, looking down at my phone. Shit.
Panic hits as I swivel my head.
Another buzz.
Unknown: Maybe they should pay for your sins.
Bile rises in my throat as I whirl around. That picture was taken from behind me. I scan the crowd, the faces blurring. Walking to the side of the trailer, I peer behind it, checking to see if I can see anyone fleeing. Seeing if my shitty father would be a coward or not. Coward it is.
My fingers fly over the screen, sending a text to Cooper.
Me: Get Ari out of here. Now.
As soon as the text is sent, the hair on the back of my neck stands up. Tension rolls down my spine, my senses spiking as I hear the rustle of grass behind me. Before I have a chance to turn, an arm wraps around my neck from behind, then something sharp presses into my ribcage.
“You scream and the girl gets it.”
A gasp shoots from my mouth, not because of what he said, but because of who said it. It wasn’t my father’s voice in my ear.
It was Dean’s.