27. Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Seven
Abi
“And this,” I spun, my arms wide, a smile on my face as I looked at the bull rider who followed me into the arena, “is our training arena.”
Oakes Ashford, the bull rider currently leading the standings, shoved his hands in his pockets and tensed his jaw as we stepped into the arena. His Wranglers had dirt around the boot, and a fancy belt buckle showed off his winnings. His black hat was perched on his head, his longer, dark hair sticking out in all directions under the rim. His jaw clenched; the only thing missing was a piece of straw sticking out between his teeth. Showing off the stables for potential horses was easy, but Cash was still the only one using the arena…and this was Oakes Ashford. I was a little intimated.
“It’s small,” he grumbled.
My smile fading, I tried to keep my confident look on my face. “We hold small rodeos here often, just the other night in fact. I can assure you it’s big enough for bulls to train. Rhett has done a lot of training here—”
“That’ll be me.” Rhett came around the corner as if he were summoned, appearing behind Oakes with his signature tan cowboy hat and blue button down on. “We’ve met.” Rhett approached Oakes’ side and held out his hand.
“Rhett Hartwell.” Oakes shook his hand, a large smile spreading across his lips. I mimicked him, hoping to sell him with kindness, especially now that Rhett was here—he could help. “You won the NFR last year. Congrats.”
“And you’re leading the boards this year.” Rhett tipped his chin.
Oakes wiggled his eyebrows. “All the way there. Your sister was just showing me around the training arena. I’ll be sticking to the western circuits this next year and looking for a place to train away from the city. When I saw this ad, I had to come check it out.”
“It’s a great space.” Rhett mimicked Oakes’s stance, feet apart, hands on his hips, jaw tense. “You can ask Cash; he’s been training Quinn Cambell here.”
“Callahan?”
Rhett nodded. “The one and only. He and Quinn should be arriving soon for a session. You’re welcome to watch and see the space in action. If it can handle barrel racing, it can definitely handle bulls.”
Oakes’s stoic glance turned into a smile, where he began to chew. Apparently, he had gum in his mouth this entire time. I sighed, relief swimming through me. At least the clenching of his jaw was justified.
“I can stick around.” Oakes turned to me. “Any chance I can try out the space?”
“Sure.” I grinned. “Why don’t you and Rhett stay here, and I can go grab Lachlan. I’m sure he will be more than happy to bring a bull.”
Oakes tipped his hat. “Make it wild one, yeah?”
“You got it.” I gave him a thumbs up.
Rhett took a step towards me. “I can help.”
I spun on my heels. “Nope, I got it. You show Oakes around.” I winked at my brother, he winked back, and left the arena.
With a skip in my step, I ran to the bullpen, where thankfully Lachlan was ready and waiting for me. He had already seen Oakes pull up and figured the famed bull rider would want a practice ride. He pulled in the biggest bull on the ranch—perfectly named Hulk—and was already moving him to the training grounds.
When I appeared and scratched the bull behind his ears, skipping back again to let him through, I noticed Lachlan’s eyes on me, a single eyebrow raised.
“What?”
He shook his head softly. “Nothing.”
“No, what is it? You’re looking at me funny.”
“Abi…you’re skipping.”
I stopped and looked at my mud-covered boots. “I’m not…”
“Yeah, you are. Oh…and look.” He tilted his chin back towards the arena “Cash just pulled up.”
I felt my heart jump—literally jump—in my chest. It took all my strength not to run…well, skip towards him. It was weird to feel this way. To have this excitement fill my body. There was no more questioning what I was feeling. No more denying it. Not after he kissed me in front of everyone, even getting my son’s stamp of approval. Whatever was here, I was going to keep it and hold on to it. So, yeah…I started to skip back to the barn.
Cash stepped out of his rig, placing his hat on his head, his forearms free with the warmer weather. He turned to the other truck that was coming up behind him—Quinn—and once she was parked, his eyes met mine.
“Hey Abs.” He smiled, his smooth Southern accent filling every vessel in my body. My jog got faster, and in my head, I saw myself wrapping my legs around his waist, kissing him senselessly as his hands roamed my back, allowing those butterflies to take complete control.
It was only then that I remembered I had a potential client in the arena and should probably not maul him in front of them. I slowed and simply reached out for his hand. He responded by threading our fingers together.
“Were you skipping?” He raised a single eyebrow, lowering his chin to look me in the eye.
“You know what?” I pulled my hand away, taking a step back. “I was just…”
“Excited to see me?” His grin turned wicked.
I rolled my eyes. “Okay fine, yes. I’m excited to see you, but we also have a potential client.”
Quinn came up behind Cash. “Is that Oakes Ashford’s truck?” She used her thumb to point behind her back at the bright blue truck that was parked near the stable.
Oakes’ logo, a white outline of a bull rider mid jump on it, a fancy O and A in the empty space, was painted on the side of the truck. Everyone who was following the rodeo knew that logo, Quinn included. I looked at Quinn, answering her question silently.
“Ok, it’s his truck, but is he in the arena?” She lowered her voice, leaning in.
I gave her a nod.
“Oh my God.” She stood up straight as a board. “He’s leading the boards.”
“And he wants to watch you train, so…”
“What!” She froze.
“Quinn.” Cash’s voice lowered as he looked at his client. “Keep yourself together.”
“Oh, I am. I’m gonna show him the best ride.” Quinn marched forward with determination, stepping into the barn.
We both watched her, standing by the entry way as Cash brushed his hand down my arm, his fingers weaving through mine again. He lifted my arm, bringing the back of my hand to his lips, his body facing me. I could feel the blush reach my cheeks.
“You were so excited to see me—”
“Oh, come on.” I rolled my eyes again, leaning into him.
“You skipped.”
“I ran enthusiastically.”
His lips cocked a grin, and he bent his head, giving me the sweetest kiss.
“Go out with me Abi,” he whispered against my lips.
“Go out with you?”
“On a date.”
My heart jumped again. “Like a real date?”
He nodded. “A real date. One where I plan it, pick you up, and pay for everything…I kiss you goodnight…”
“I like the sound of the last detail.” I raised myself on my tippy toes, brushing my lips with his once more. “When?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“Saturday night?” my eyes widened. Saturday? A busy night in town? Really…a Saturday? “How about Wednesday?”
“No, tomorrow.” He nodded. “Go out with me.”
I licked my bottom lip. “Okay…I’d love to.”
“Perfect. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at seven. Dress warm.” Cash jerked his eyebrows once, brushed my nose with his thumb, and then left me standing in front of the stable, the butterflies rising in my chest.
A date.
Cash asked me on a date.
A real one. And I said I’d love to.
I haven’t been on a date since…
“Well, shit,” I muttered, booking it to Rhett’s cabin.
Kyla opened the door before I even had a chance to knock. I basically ran into her house, doubling over with my hands on my thighs, heavy breaths leaving my lungs.
“Is there a reason why you’re heaving in my living room?” Kyla asked as she tilted her body, her long brown hair falling to the side as she leaned to look at me.
“Cash…” I breathed, standing up with one hand on my hip, the other brushing my hair back. Why I thought it was a good idea to wear it down was beyond me. “He uh…”
I looked at Kyla, her eyes wide and eyebrows high, waiting for me to finish my sentence.
“He asked me on a date.”
She smiled. “Okay…and?”
“A date, Kyla.”
“I heard you.”
“A date.”
“Do you need to sit down?” She moved to the side and presented the couch to me. Without even thinking about it, I rushed past her and plopped on the leather couch. Kyla sat calmly next to me, one leg fitting under her nicely as she made herself comfortable. “You good?”
“I don’t know.” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds before finally letting it out through my lips. “I mean…my heart is racing…” I admitted.
“Well, you did run here.” Kyla chuckled.
“I’m just…nervous?” I put my hand on my chest. “Cash asked me out on a date.”
“After the way he kissed you last night, I’d hoped he would.” Kyla smirked as she leaned her torso towards me. “Why are you nervous?”
I blushed at the memory of our kiss, giving her a shy look before turning back to the table in front of me. I pulled my legs up to my chest, creating that barrier, trying to wrap my head around why I was acting this way.
I closed my eyes tightly and tried to make myself form the words. Turn these feelings into tangible thoughts I could digest. I liked Cash. I liked the way I felt when he was around. I loved the way his lips felt against mine, the way my stomach churned when he touched me. I loved the sound of his voice, the comfort he brought. So why was I nervous about a date with him?
I sighed, forcing the tears to stay back. I would not cry over this again.
“I haven’t…” I finally said. “I haven’t been on a date since Sylas.”
“That’s understandable.” Kyla shifted. “I mean, you loved him.”
“Love. I love him.” I corrected her, narrowing my eyes.
“But wouldn’t he want you to be happy? Wouldn’t he want you to go on dates?”
“Believe it or not, we never had the ‘if I die while riding bulls, I want you to date my best friend’ chat.” I took another breath, the air leaving my mouth. “Cash was Sylas’ best friend.”
“Does that sit funny with you?”
“I mean…kind of. But…no.” I shifted, moving to sitting cross-legged on the couch. “Cash was always there, and if I’m being honest…if Sylas knew, he would…approve?” I hunched my shoulders, furrowing my brow. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
“No, it does. It’s weird. Forbidden almost. Now, I’m not the best person to ask for advice here, because well…I didn’t know Sylas, but with the way Cash kissed you last night, in front of your entire family…” She touched my shoulder, squeezing slightly. “No one seems phased by the fact that he was connected to Sylas. He knows you, and he obviously has feelings for you. You need to decide if you can move on from it. Having that connection to Sylas may make your and Cash’s relationship all that stronger.”
“But isn’t it fast? I mean seven weeks ago, I was avoiding the man and was pissed he was here.”
Kyla let out a soft laugh. “I’m not one to talk to about timing either. I knew your brother for twelve days, and I married him, and here we are not even together for a year yet and we’re expecting our first baby. Life moves fast Abi; you have to decide if you wanna run with it or not.”
I chewed on my bottom lip, taking yet again another deep breath. “I like him. I like that he’s here.”
“But seven weeks ago…”
“I was mad, I resented him in a way.”
“Well yeah, you didn’t make the man a bologna sandwich.” Kyla chuckled.
I gave her a friendly glare. “But,” I continued, “we’ve talked. We…we want to try this.”
“This being…”
“Us.”
She smiled. “And you’re worried about a date…because?”
“And we’ve come full circle, I haven’t been on one since Sylas.”
Kyla stood and held out a hand. “Lucky for you, Rhett and I have been going on plenty of dates, and I have dresses that are starting to be a little to snug—”
“You are not showing yet.”
“In the chest area.” She pulled me off the couch, giving me a cheeky grin. “Let’s find you something amazing to wear so when he picks you up, he will melt and never want to leave your side again.”
“He said dress warm.”
“Good thing I have plenty of long sleeve dresses that will go perfect with your boots.”