Chapter 11 #3
“Yep. One disco fries!” the cashier called out and rang him up while a young lady filled their drinks and grabbed a cardboard basket of fries from under a warmer. “Enjoy the show.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.” He was damn lucky he knew how to carry shit, and even luckier when a teenager with peach fuzz on his cheeks offered to walk him down to his seat.
He let him, passed the food down to Mister Charlie, then signed the kid’s league cap for him. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Thank you, sir.” It got even better for the kid when Rope and Sky signed the cap as well. The kid left with a big smile on his face.
“My refreshments have been delivered by a celebrity,” Charles winked at him as he took his seat. “I’d forgotten that you’d have fans here. How wonderful. I’m quite lucky.”
He didn’t know quite what to say to that, so he grinned and handed over the French fries. “I got us a snack.”
“These look evil. Look at all that cheese.” Charles held it on one knee where he could reach easily and took a sip of his Coke. “Your friends are kind. They kept me entertained while you were gone with stories about how they’d met. Skyler said he was champion before he was forced to retire.”
“He was. He was one of the best. He taught us all a ton, honest to God.”
“I don’t doubt it. He seems to really care about you and other younger riders. He says he’s even coached your brother a couple of times.”
“Yessir.” He raised his voice. “Not that he could tell us apart.”
Sky’s voice floated back to him, tone dry. “Your own momma can’t tell you apart.”
“She says she don’t have to. She made us interchangeable.” He winked at Mister Charlie.
Charles chuckled and helped himself to another cheesy French fry.
“Yes, she’s right. You’re both a couple of dumbasses.”
Rope laughed outright at that one, and Charles snorted.
“You think? You’re just pissed that you aged out, cowboy.” He winked at Charles, because he hadn’t even done that.
“Older and wiser, kid. Older and wiser.” He could hear the amusement in Sky’s voice.
Charles nodded sagely, grinning. He was obviously enjoying the banter. “Indeed.”
“Older, that’s for sure. Wiser? I guess y’all got that grampa thing going on…”
“Hey!” He wasn’t sure which one hollered, but someone did.
“Now, y’all. Let’s not start a fistfight in the family section.”
That was followed by a lot of laughter, all the way down the row.
“Roper’s up next.” He nodded toward his brother, who was having Buck Daniels pull his rope these days. He was sad, and for a minute he wanted to be over there helping.
“Oh. I can’t wait.” Charles set the fries down and put a hand on his knee, giving it a light squeeze as if he knew how Ryder was feeling.
Roper searched for him, and he lifted his chin, waiting for their eyes to meet. When they did, he whispered, “Good ride, Bubba.”
Roper grinned wide, then gave him the thumbs up.
Okay. Okay, it was going to be okay.
“Look at that smile.” Charles’s hand was still resting on his knee, warm and solid, grounding him.
“Yep. He’s ready.” He never yelled when Roper rode. He watched, and he willed his brother to stick.
The gate opened, and Mister Charlie leaned forward, not yelling either, but watching intently. He could tell Mister Charlie was sending good energy Roper’s way.
One. Come on. Come on.
The bull was going into Roper’s hand, which was good for him, and the son of a bitch was spurring to beat the band.
Two. Don’t you slide.
Three. Correct! Come on, Bubba.
Four. Five.
“Hang on, you son of a bitch!” Sky hollered. “Don’t you dare let go!”
Six.
Roper was going down in the well, the bull spinning like a damn washing machine, those heels snapping toward the lights.
Seven.
Eight.
He stood up, bellaring at the top of his lungs. “Yes! Get off! Get off, Bubba! You did it!”
Charles stood with him, whispering, “Careful, Roper.”
Roper’s hand was caught in the bull rope, and for a wild minute, he thought his twin wasn’t going to be able to get out. He was already moving, climbing over the empty seats in front of them, when Roper’s hand popped out and he went flying.
“No.” Charles reached out and grabbed his shirt, pulling him back. “Not your job.”
“I—” His heart was slamming against his rib cage, rattling his bones.
“Mackey will keep him safe. Breathe, Ryder.” Charles kept a hand on him, steadying him on his feet.
Roper found his feet, then headed for them and climbed the fence. “Did you see, Ry?”
He knew that meant, I’m okay. Don’t worry. I was scared, but I’m okay.
“I did. Good ride!” He settled back into his chair with Charles, a cold sweat covering him.
“Good ride, Roper.” Charles gave Roper a quick round of applause and sat as well. That arm settled behind him again, but this time on his shoulders, not the chair. “What do you need?”
He blinked a little. Nobody ever actually asked him that. “I guess—I’m… I’m good?”
He wasn’t sure because his hands were shaking just a little bit as he had his Coke, but it settled out pretty quick.
“You are okay, and Roper is safe, but is this too much? Do you need a break?” Charles’s thumb was stroking his shoulder.
He did, but he wasn’t sure that he could, not with Rope and Sky and them just sitting up there watching. He thought that maybe Sky would get it.
But Rope? Rope was one of those lucky sons of bitches who’d just managed to not ever get too-too bad hurt.
“Let’s take a walk.” Charles stood and offered him a hand up.
“Sounds good. Let’s go.” He took the hand without thinking about it too terrible hard. Then he let Mister Charlie lead him up and out of the stands.
Mister Charlie just nodded to Sky and Rope and everyone as they went by like this was just normal, like they were going to get a beer or whatever, and nobody seemed to think anything of it.
But they didn’t stop at concessions, they walked right on by and ended up in a quieter spot away from all of the noise.
“I hope you don’t mind that I just made the decision for you. You seem a bit shaken, and I thought you could use a quiet minute.”
“I might could use it, for sure. It’s the first time I’ve been back.” It was the first time he’d been to an event since he retired. The first time without his skull in thirty pieces. The first time he was able to attend without barfing.
But he wasn’t going to say that. He was just gonna stick with—this was his first time back.
“I wondered if that was the case. You seem to be having a bit of a trauma reaction.” Charles rubbed his back, warm palm moving in slow circles.
“I’m sorry. That’s embarrassing. I apologize.” His cheeks were on fire. He thought he’d been ready. He had to be ready.
“Not in the least. It just means you’re human.” Mister Charlie’s voice was low and soothing. “It’s a perfectly natural reaction to be worried about your brother now that you fully understand what a wreck means.”
“Yeah. I don’t remember it, though. Not at all. I remember getting on the plane at the airport on the way to the event, then being in the hospital.”
“It’s possible that part of you does remember it. But emotionally, you understand it all the same. You’re not here to take care of your brother anymore. Now, all you can do is support him.”
His belly drew in, and he suddenly felt a cold chill flood him. “I think I need some water.”
Charles’s hands were on him, moving him to a bench. “Sit. Close your eyes. I’ll get you a bottle.” He was alone suddenly, as Charles hurried off.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
He was such an idiot. What was he doing? What the hell was wrong with him? Mister Charlie was getting him water!
“A sip. Slowly.” It felt like Mister Charlie had been gone forever but was back, sat beside him now and holding the bottle for him.
He took a small sip, and he could hear it splash in his belly. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.” Please don’t tell on me.
“I don’t understand. Forgive you for what? You don’t have anything to apologize for. Have another sip.” Mister Charlie held the bottle to his lips again.
He took another drink, a deep breath. His cheeks were burning, but he managed to talk himself down out of this weird-assed tree he’d climbed.
“How is your head?” Mister Charlie touched it like he was checking for a fever, then looked into his eyes. “I think we should go back to the hotel. There will be more riding tomorrow.”
“I think… I think that’s a good idea. I’ll text Roper. He’ll have to do after parties and stuff.” And he was embarrassed and ashamed, and he needed a shower.
He felt dirty, as if he’d done something bad.
Mister Charlie helped him up. “Tell him he’s welcome to come to the suite to see you any time.”
“I will. Are you sure? You’ll miss the winner. I don’t want to ruin your first event.” Ryder cared about Charles.
He got a smile and Charles touched his chin. “There are other nights. I saw Roper ride. That was enough for the first night. You need a little quiet time, and I want to look after you, as you always look after me. Come on.”
“Okay…yes, sir.” He had to force himself not to dip his head into the touch.
“Good boy.” Mister Charlie smiled at him as they made their way out of the venue.