8. Eight
Eight
Rhett
Hours into the drive and all I could think was, Why didn’t you kiss her goodbye you idiot?
Kyla sat in my bed, wearing nothing but a tank top on her torso showing me her bare shoulders, watching as I made coffee and silently walked around the room. I slept like shit the night before, because I was stupid enough to take the couch when there was a gorgeous woman who wouldn’t mind having me lie next to her in my room. Then what? I just gave her my number and said, “Have fun, relax”?
Rolling my eyes at myself, I asked myself, yet again, Why didn’t you kiss her goodbye?
Because she didn’t want that. To her, I was a one-time thing .
Wyatt had his eyes closed next to me, his arms folded and head leaning back on the headrest. Not a care in the world. Wyatt had one goal and one goal only, to be an announcer at the National Finals Rodeo—The NFR—in Las Vegas. And even though he had a ways to go, I would be the first to tell anyone he was going to get there. He had that charm. Me? All I had was a lingering thought that I should have kissed Kyla. And how that would have ruined everything.
There was something there with her that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. The pull to be near her, even just in the same room, was strong. The pure need to have her in my arms, just to simply feel her warmth, was more than physical. There seemed to be a deeper desire that I wasn’t quite sure how to put into words. She was unlike any woman I had ever been with. And here I was, driving hundreds of miles away from her. I wish she would have said yes to coming with me. She could check things off her list. She could add things to her list.
Her bucket list.
I wondered what was on it.
Sleeping with a random man in Idaho probably wasn’t. Hell, living on a ranch for a few weeks probably wasn’t either, but I was suddenly very interested in what was. Taking a quick glance at Wyatt, I saw that he was still sound asleep, and I made a quick mental note to ask her the first time I heard from her. She had my number, but I had to wait for hers.
I’d wait as long as it took.
The trip this time around was packed. We were heading to Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and then finally home in time for the Fourth of July. The Fourth was always a time for major rodeos, but racking up the times and money didn’t really appeal to me when I knew my family was holding their own shindig at home. I’d rather participate in the rodeo in my hometown than be somewhere else.
After the Fourth, it was back on the road and off to Utah for their biggest rodeo of the year. If I won in Utah, I’d be a shoo-in for the NFR.
This was my life, my world, and I loved it.
We arrived in Billings in record time, the nine-hour drive killing me just as much as it killed Buckle, even with the extra stops to let her walk around. I unloaded her first, pulling her into the stable and making sure she was taken care of before I made my way to the arena. I had been here before, numerous times, but man did I love the look and feel of the dirt—the empty stands that would be filled with a huge crowd, everyone cheering.
Just seeing it empty made me wonder what it would be like to have Kyla in the stands. My family had come to events to watch me ride, but I never had a girl in the stands waiting for me. If she was, I knew exactly what I would do after a ride—I could picture it. If Kyla was here, I would climb the gate and take her mouth in mine, letting everyone see exactly how I planned to celebrate.
I should have asked her to come again this morning. Would her answer have changed?
Wyatt was already up at the booth, his white cowboy hat hard to miss as he talked with Jason, his fellow announcer, both holding a sheet of paper in their hands. I pulled my phone from my pocket thinking maybe he could tell me when I was up, but instead I found a text from an unknown number.
Unknown
Hey, Cowboy.
I couldn’t fight the smile that grew across my face. Kyla.
Unknown
I downloaded this app called the Cowboy Channel, and paid a pretty penny for it. What Rodeos are you in?
I quickly saved her number, thinking of ways I could respond to her, when another text popped up.
Kyla
This is Kyla . . . btw.
A chuckle left my lungs as a smile spread across my face and I leaned on the railing to respond back to her.
Me
Not many people greet me with “Hey, Cowboy.”
Kyla
Well, more people should greet you that way. Actually, no, just me.
Me
Only you, Sugar.
Kyla
Um no . . . I don’t like that one either.
Me
I’ll find one soon. I’ll send you the list of Rodeos. Not sure if this one is streaming on the channel though. I’ll ask Wyatt.
I swiped her text away, pulling up Wyatt’s photo, when another text from Kyla came through.
Kyla
So far, your nicknames have sucked. You’re running out of options. Let me know about the rodeo!
Typing a quick text to Wyatt, I looked up at him in the booth. He reached for his phone, glanced at the screen and then began to search for me in the stands. He found me quickly and then gave me a strong nod, a dorky smile on his face, with a thumbs up before he went back to the schedule.
Me
I t’s on the channel tonight, turn on your notifications and watch the rodeo in Billings Montana, PRCA .
She started responding, and I had to force myself to breathe.
I loved watching those little dots dance.
Kyla
PRC . . . what?
Me
Have Abi brush you up on rodeo terms before the show starts. You’ve got an hour. There will be a quiz.
I pocketed my phone and pushed myself off the rail, feeling lighter than I was moments before, knowing the teasing and messages from Kyla was all it took. This place was about to light up, and she was going to watch. She may not be here in person, but knowing she was watching me sent shivers down my spine as my flesh warmed. I could still feel her. All I had to do was close my eyes and she would be in the stands, not in front of the television or streaming from an app.
I handed my phone off to Jeff, the rodeo assistant, right before I slipped the rope between my teeth. The lasso moved freely as I moved Buckle around in circles near the gates. So far, I had an 8.2, 7.9, and a 9.5 to beat. I could beat the nine—maybe the eight—but that seven was going to be tough. Circling my wrist, I moved the lasso as Buckle stopped, moving her nose up and down.
She was ready.
I was ready.
“Hey, Rhett!” Jeff shouted as he headed my way, waving my phone in the air. “You have a FaceTime coming in.”
I pulled the rope from my teeth. “They can call back, there’s one more run in front of me.”
“Some gal named Kyla?” Jeff said, looking at the screen again. He cupped his hand over his mouth as the crowd cheered. “She’s called twice now.”
I looked at the big screen, seeing Darren Harper jump back on his horse to wait as the calf stayed still for the six required seconds. Shooting my eyes back at Jeff, I gave him a quick nod. “Answer it for me.” I agreed stupidly. Talking to Kyla before a run was either going to be the best idea I ever had—or the dumbest.
Jeff furrowed his brow, but did as I asked, still holding onto my phone as he held it towards me.
“Cowboy!” Kyla screamed.
“Kyla, I’m up next!” I shouted back, glancing at the arena.
“I know!” Her smile beamed and I swear it lit up the entire place, even through the screen. “Wyatt sent me the schedule.”
“How did you get Wyatt’s number?”
“Um, his twin,” Kyla responded, jabbing her thumb as Abi came into view behind her. My sister gave me a cheeky grin and waved.
“Up next is Idaho native and the top Tie-Down Roper in the nation.” Wyatt’s voice boomed over the speakers. “Holding the number one spot for the season, for the third year in a row, he’s been showing some amazing times in the last few weeks, and I happen to know he had a very relaxing weekend. He’s your favorite roper of the night, Rhett Hartwell!” In classic fashion, Wyatt drew out my name as long as he could.
Glancing up at the big screen I saw myself with Jeff holding my phone up to my face. I shook my head and smiled, a deep laugh that no one could hear bubbling up as I turned to look back at Kyla. The men next to the chute started to wrangle the calf for me, waiting for my nod.
“I want to watch! Good luck!!” Kyla shouted.
I winked at her and stuck the rope between my teeth, taking one final breath before giving the go ahead.
The chute opened and the calf burst through. Buckle bounded after I urged her with my heel, the lasso flying through the air. I aimed and let it go, grabbing the calf faster than I thought I would. I jumped off Buckle and ran to the calf, my fingers sliding on the rope. I grabbed the calf, lifted her off the ground and brought her down, wrapping up her three legs as fast as I could, waving my hands in the air right before I stood and walked my way back to Buckle.
Whoever said we aren’t athletes had another thing coming. That shit is hard. I got back on Buckle, my breath heavy, and looked at the calf. Six seconds . . . she had to stay down for six seconds, and it would be a qualifying time, and I knew I didn’t break that barrier. I let out a deep breath and looked at the screen, finally allowing myself to listen to the announcers as they replayed my ride.
“I’ve seen Rhett pull faster times at home for sure, but you could definitely tell he was there tonight. Speed, absolute speed.” Wyatt’s voice rang through my ears. “And with the calf down six seconds, that puts Rhett Hartwell at 8.0, putting him in second place for the night. Now, Rhett . . .”
Second place, not bad. 8.0, not bad at all. Once the calf was up, I turned Buckle and went back to the gate, dashing through to meet Jeff, who still held up my phone. Jumping off the saddle, I patted the other riders back, congratulating him on placing first. Jeff approached, handing off my phone with a smile on his face.
“This one seems interesting,” he said, his eyebrows raised close to the rim of his hat, his grin basically to his ears. She definitely was interesting.
“Who? Kyla?” I asked, taking my phone. “Just a new friend.”
Did I just friendzone myself?
“Okay, so what does all that mean?” I could barely hear her voice as the chutes opened up next to me.
“So far for the night I’m second,” I said loudly into the phone, reaching for Buckle’s reins. “Not bad.”
“Not bad at all, Cowboy. I tried to watch from here but didn’t see much other than your ass.” I raised an eyebrow and noticed her lips roll, a light blush adding color to her cheeks. “Abi has it streaming though so I can rewatch. Oh, but look at this.” Kyla switched her phone camera around to show me Stetson, using a small rope in place of a lasso. “He’s been doing that the entire time.”
“A roper in the making. Hey beautiful”—I pulled Buckle along, not wanting to hang up, but knowing I had to pay attention to the arena—“I need to go, but I’ll call you back from the hotel.”
“ Beautiful?” she emphasized, rolling her eyes at me. “Yes, please call. I have so many rodeo questions.”
I chuckled. “I’ll answer them. So long, Doll Face.”
“Not. That. One.”
I ended the call and shoved my phone in my pocket, my cheeks hot as Kyla ran through my thoughts.
After the rodeo ended, Wyatt and I met a few of the guys at the nearest bar. Our schedule was tight, and we needed to be in the next city for two events tomorrow, but stopping for a drink—especially after a time like that—was necessary.
Wyatt bounded to the bar top, patting Darren and Zeke, fellow ropers, on their backs as he shoved his way in between them.
“No girls for you guys tonight?” Wyatt mused, his announcing voice still booming over the crowd.
Zeke glared at my brother over his shoulder. “You know very well that I’m happily married, Hartwell.”
“Ya, but Darren isn’t.” Wyatt looked over at Darren, a cheeky grin spreading as he raised a single eyebrow.
“Doesn’t mean I need a girl.” Darren raised his mug to his lips. “Do I want one? Sure, but I don’t need one.” He dropped the mug with a bang, small splatters of beer flying out. “Rhett had a bystander on his phone during his run, you should have seen Jeff trying to catch it all.”
My lip tugged into a faint smile at the mention of Kyla, which I quickly forced down. I had to keep reminding myself I was officially friend zoned .
“She’s just interested in the sport. She’s never been to a rodeo before and wanted to see what it was like,” I answered, keeping my composure down.
Zeke’s interest peaked. “Got yourself a city girl?”
“He does. She wore his hat and he took her home.” Wyatt laughed, his eyebrows wiggling up and down.
“You make it seem like something I normally do,” I retaliated, waving my arm to the bartender. I needed that beer if this was the way the conversation was going to go.
“Nah, Wyatt, we all know that’s you, not Rhett.” Darren patted my brother on the back, only giving him more attention.
“Damn straight. Now, who am I taking with me tonight?” Wyatt lifted his hands to his eyebrows and scanned the room.
Darren and Zeke both laughed in response. I just shook my head, thanked the woman behind the bar for my beer and drank, keeping Kyla out of the conversation.