12. Christian
christian
“Fuck!” I yelled, throwing my helmet to the ground in the locker room as soon as I was out of the arena, after my worst ride in a while. Barely made my eight seconds and nearly got a hoof in the side before I scrambled out of the way, scoring low on the leaderboard.
“Shit, bro. You haven’t been yourself all week,” Kale said, shedding his vest and packing it into his duffle bag, before picking up my helmet.
“It’s Texas. I never have a good ride here,” I grumbled, taking the helmet from him and setting it in my locker. Which was true. For some odd reason, I scored low last time we were here too, but it wasn’t the reason why I was distracted.
I couldn’t get Sage out of my head — not that she ever left.
When Sage picked up Arlo the other night, she seemed like she was in a daze.
Her eyes didn’t focus on me, she didn’t tell me to quit it when I called her baby, and then the last couple attempts I made to flirt with her through text, she was short and dismissive.
When I asked her if she regretted sexting, she just said, “No,” and never texted me back.
I pulled my cell phone out of my locker, checking to see if there was a text waiting for me, but there was nothing.
“I know what you need, to tear it up in downtown Austin.” Kale patted me on the shoulder, and I tipped the phone screen away from him so he didn’t see I had a text thread open with his sister. He’d know immediately who “Wifey” was in my contacts if he saw it.
“Sure …” I said absentmindedly while I typed out a text to her.
Me
Just finished my ride. Not my best but I’m saving my best for Vegas, especially if my lucky charm is going to be there.
I waited a moment, thinking she’d text right back since I was testing her but there was nothing. She had to be busy with work tonight.
I shoved my phone in my back pocket, then went about taking off my chaps and vest, changing out of my button-up with my sponsors labeled on it for a denim shirt with pearl buttons. I finished packing my bag and threw it over my shoulder.
“I met these girls in the lobby of our hotel this morning. They’re going to be at a rooftop bar downtown. Thought we'd go join them and see where the night takes us,” Kale explained.
I huffed a laugh and shook my head. “You’re such a man whore.”
His mouth tipped in a quiet smile and shrugged. “Can’t help that the ladies love me. Even though you’re hung up on my sister, it doesn't mean you can’t have your fun too.”
I sighed. “Okay, don’t twist my arm. You know I’m coming with you. I’ll occupy the friend while you get your dick wet.”
“You know you’re still single right?” he teased. We headed out of the arena locker room, pushing our way through the crowd in the hallway and heading out toward a back exit where we could wait for our ride share.
“Not in my heart,” I told him.
He laughed, but I was dead serious. I’d been locked down since I laid eyes on Sage. I’d hooked up with a couple chicks, but it had lost its luster a long time ago — just decided one day, what’s the point? None of them were Sage Pardy.
Wifey
I’m still not going.
I breathed a sigh of relief when Sage’s text came through.
I leaned against the high top table where Kale and I were entertaining a few girls.
They introduced themselves, but I couldn’t remember their names.
I just remembered one was named Martha, which I thought was so funny because I pictured my late great grandma, Martha, who smoked cigars until she kicked the bucket at ninety-five.
They were all pretty, blonde or brunette. Cowgirl boots and clothes that were practically painted on. A few too many lip injections beneath their piles of makeup. Typical buckle bunnies thirsty to ride a cowboy.
One of them, a little curvier than the others, and one I probably would’ve gone for if I wasn’t hung up on Sage, stood beside me.
Every time she set down her cocktail, her arm brushed mine where it rested on the tabletop.
She was putting out all the signals, but I was hoping it was obvious I wasn’t interested in the way I was buried in my phone.
Me
I bet I could convince you.
Wifey
You could try, but it wouldn’t change my answer.
Me
Is that a challenge?
I checked the time and looked up at Kale who had two girls hanging on his arms. There were stars in his eyes and I could tell by the way he stood closer to one, he’d already made his decision which one he was going to bring back to his room.
He’d probably ask me to keep the other one company and call them a ride, for when he was ready to send them on their way.
I knew how my guy operated after a few years of this.
I loved the guy, but he was the epitome of a fuckboy.
Wifey
Take it however you want.
Me
It’s a challenge then. Are you back at my house?
Wifey
Your house? I’m pretty sure your parents’ house hasn’t been yours for a long time.
Me
Ask my mom. It’s still my house.
Wifey
Wifey
Yes, I’m back at the house.
Me
Good. What are you doing?
Wifey
About to run a bath and go to bed.
Me
Is that right?
Wifey
You could help me unwind while I take a bath?
Fucking shit. I was glad she seemed like herself again, but I wasn’t about to sext her while I was out in public and I wasn’t about to ditch her brother.
Me
I’d be happy to help, but I’m still out.
Wifey
You with Kale?
Me
Yes, and I think he’s having a hard time deciding between Betty and Martha.
I had no idea if the other one was called Betty, but it made me happy to think Martha’s friends would only have old school names like her.
Wifey
Yep, sounds like Kale.
I took a sip of my beer and nodded to something the girl beside me said, but I couldn’t quite catch it over the music.
Wifey
You’ll make sure he gets back to the hotel ok?
Me
Always do.
Wifey
Thank you.
Wifey
I love my baby brother, but sometimes I question his choices.
Me
He’s still young. He’ll figure it out one day.
Wifey
I hope so. He’s all I have.
Me
What about me? You have me!
Even though I knew that was true for both of them. Neither one of them talked about their family back on the reservation. According to Kale, Sage was the only family he had and wanted.
Wifey
I don’t have you, Christian.
Me
You could you know …
Me
I’ve been thinking …
Wifey
Oh God, that’s dangerous!
Me
Ha ha very funny.
Me
But in all seriousness, could you come to dinner with me on Tuesday?
Wifey
lol to the only restaurant in town? I don’t think so.
Me
What? Scared people would talk?
Wifey
I don’t care if people talk.
Me
Would you go if I took you somewhere else? How about a spot in Trenton?
Wifey
Christian, I’m not going out with you. I told you already this doesn’t leave text.
Me
I’m not giving up.
“Hey, Christian!” Kale called from across the way, his hands pressed to the backs of the two girls. “Ready to go?”
“One sec,” I called, downing the rest of my drink. I turned to the girl beside me, taking out a couple of fifty-dollar bills from my wallet and handing it to her. “Here, that should cover the drinks for you and your friends.”
She blinked at the money in her open palm, her mouth in a slight O. Her lashes fluttered back up at me. “And this is why my mama keeps telling me to marry a cowboy,” she said wistfully.
I smiled, tipping my hat. “Have a good night.”
My cell buzzed in my other hand and I glimpsed Sage’s text before I pocketed it, my smile growing at her words.
Wifey
I’m just about to get out of the bath. Text me when you have some privacy.