Chapter 18
I’ve gone off the deep end, but what the fuck do I have to lose anyway?
For whatever reason, Kaylee’s disinterest in me doesn’t push me away.
It’s almost like I love to be in her line of fire.
And if you like something, you want more, right?
Last night left a lasting impression. I can’t get her out of my goddamn head, and if that doesn’t mean there’s something there, then I’m not sure what does.
She leads with knives, but each blow seems to be undercut with hesitation.
Like she’s torn between pushing me away and letting me in.
Had I not drank myself to oblivion, I might have noticed the cues, leaned into them a bit so I could understand her more.
Found out who she really is. Thought about something other than kissing her.
I can’t help but laugh at my predicament. Maybe it’s the fact that she’s playing so damn hard to get, or the fact that I’m always up for a challenge, but there’s something about her that lights a fire in me, and I won’t stop until I likely get burned.
I ponder a moment before grabbing my phone.
Gotta play to win right? And at the very least, I’d like a chance to play.
ME: U WANNA GO TO A ROPING EVENT?
Ten minutes pass before my phone sounds.
KAYLEE: NO.
Fuck, okay. Maybe I read her reactions all wrong. She wasn’t hesitant, she was just trying to be nice.
I slide my cell back into my pocket and much to my surprise, it dings again. Against my better judgement and feeling like my curiosity might kill me, I pull it out, shocked to see Kaylee sent another text.
KAYLEE: HAVE TO DO SHOP INVENTORY.
A smirk tugs on my lips. Well, it might not be a yes, but knowing that it wasn’t strictly because she didn’t want to be here is just as good as one. I’ll take that as a win in my book. No matter how small.
ME: NEXT TIME
KAYLEE: COME GET COFFEE IF YOU WIN.
I smile as I read her response. Now, that’s what I’m talking about. I knew she’d give into my charm. She isn’t chasing just yet, but if that isn’t her at least turning her head, then I don’t know what is.
KAYLEE: MY TREAT.
I laugh. If she’s going to give me an inch, I already know I’m about to take a mile.
ME: CYA AFTER I WIN ;)
I want, hell, I need the bag but I think bragging rights will taste just as much if not more sweet.
The trailer ramp crashes to the ground only a few inches below where I drop it. Unfazed by the noise, Angelica turns her head toward me, greeting my arrival with a happy whinny.
“Now if that ain’t the prettiest horse I’ve ever seen, I’m not sure who is.
” I climb inside the trailer and plant a kiss on her forehead.
“I brought your favorite treat for some extra luck today.” I fish a handful of jelly beans out of my pocket and she scarfs down the treat faster than normal, clearly anticipating the candy long before it came.
“Ya ready to knock ‘em dead, Jelly bean?”
I don’t expect an answer but I know she’s as serious about winning as I am. We are a match made in heaven. She reads my moves and I read hers. We win because we’re good, not because we are lucky. I believe that with my full chest, and if I were to bet money on it, I think she does too.
Patting her back, I unhook her, leading her out of the trailer and to the side.
“That you, Rhett?”
Startled by the voice that comes from behind me, the hair on my arms stands up.
God, I hope it’s not a reporter. Beside the encounter I had with Ms. Woods, I’ve been able to avoid them, but here at a roping competition, hiding is impossible and the likelihood that someone is looking for the next big headline is constant.
I sigh in frustration as I brace myself for what I knew to be the inevitable.
“Best believe it.” I spin toward the voice, trying to mask my nervousness with a forced smile.
Turns out it’s someone I know, not that I particularly care to.
Well, Damn. Of all the people I hoped to avoid, I’m now face-to-face with the person I dislike the most, Jordan Daily, my biggest rival.
He’s got his girlfriend on his arm and a cigarette hanging off his lips.
He sports a scruffy beard, but he’s clearly lightened his hair.
The vanity is an odd combination for a rider, but when you’re obsessed with yourself it’s fitting.
“Should I alert the news crew that you’re fine, you just suck?” Of course, the first words out of his mouth piss me off, but thanks to his new look I already have a comeback.
“Ya recently try out for a boy band, Daily?” I keep my voice light, nice even, the words like sugar-sweet venom on my lips. My tone is kind but my intention is to insult him.
His gaze narrows. “No, why?”
A genuine smile spreads across my face as his expression sours. “Because you’ve got more highlights than Britney Spears.”
The insult hits its mark, like an arrow hitting a bullseye.
Even his girlfriend can’t help but let out a little snicker.
He snatches his arm away, leveling her with a vicious glare, forcing the laughter on her lips to fade.
“Wouldn’t be too worried about how I look since the last time we saw you, you were face deep in the rodeo cake.
” He chuckles at his own joke, but neither I nor his girlfriend follow.
“Planning on making yourself look like a dumb fuck again?”
I know he wants nothing more than to get in my head about my fall, but today there are no bulls and I know I won’t be falling off my horse.
“Nope,” I respond coolly. “Plus, I ain’t a dumb fuck, I’m a great fuck.
Just ask your mom.” I wink and he balls his fist. His girlfriend tries to convince him to walk away, but he slaps her hand, and that pisses me off more.
“Ah, see I struck a nerve, better go cry it out before ya ride. You’re gonna need them tears dried so ya have nothin’ blurrin’ your vision when I win. ”
“Eat a dick, Rogers. Better yet, eat dirt. You probably can’t stay on your horse’s back for more than eight seconds either.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Daily, but dirt ain’t really my flavor.
That seems more your area of expertise. I’ve seen your last few rides.
That dirt must taste real damn good, since ya always seem to be in it.
” I could let it go there, but the urge to really put this asshole in his place forces me to continue.
I look at his girlfriend. And though I’m only joking, though I have no intention of stealing anyone’s girl, I say with a smirk, “Ya need to find someone better, darlin’.
Someone who can handle someone as pretty as you, instead of a one and done eight second ride.
” Her eyes widen at what I just said. I send her an obvious wink, just to piss him off that much more.
“You’re pathetic,” He blows out, leaving his girlfriend behind.
I smile at her and her cheeks are flushed, but the grimace she wears makes me regret what I said. Jordan turns back around. “Danielle, get your fuckin’ ass over here, or you can walk home.”
Sadness replaces a portion of her anger with me. “I thought you… nevermind.” She shakes her head, tears now filling her eyes as she walks away.
A small win against him wasn’t worth how it affected her, and now I feel like a total piece of shit.
I blow out a breath as I grab some fresh water for my horse.
I might have taken that a bit far—no, I definitely did.
I didn’t intend to allow that idiot the space to get in my head, and even if it won’t affect my riding, it sure as hell made me look like just as big of a dick as him.
Pulling my hat down a little lower on my head, I do my best not to be noticed again.
I’m here for the money, not the reminders and I want to get in and out unscathed.
The announcer’s voice plays over the small sound system. “Jordan Daily is up first for today’s roping competition.”
I better hurry up.
After tightening the saddle’s cinches, we head off to the side of the arena.
Danielle stands among the other competitors that I don’t recognize, her boyfriend already leading his horse to the gate away from us.
She wears a smile on her face, but even from a distance, I notice how puffy and red her eyes look.
I can’t help but wonder if what I said triggered a sadness that deep, or if I caused a fight between them.
Daily has a temper on him, and has never been shy about showing it, but I just thought it was rodeo specific, not something he did to everyone.
I let out a deep sigh. Maybe I’m overthinking the entire thing, but I think I should make sure she’s okay.
I close the space between us. Fuck, Kaylee’s right. I really do always try to save the day. I’d take it to the grave that she’s wrong over admitting she’s right, but sometimes people just aren’t sure how to save themself. And, I guess, sometimes I can’t help but try.
I lead my horse up to her side and she jumps the moment I touch her shoulder.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to scare ya.”
“You’re fine, but I shouldn’t be talking to you.” She doesn’t make eye contact with me for long as she looks at her feet. “It’s just going to piss him off if he sees you anywhere near me.”
I bristle at the deflated sound of her voice, the way she can’t even look at me as she speaks for the fear of upsetting him. “It ain’t any of my business,” I say earnestly, “but that doesn’t seem like any way to treat a lady. Let alone, one you’re datin’.”
Her brow furrows when she turns back toward me.
“You of all people shouldn’t be talking after what you said.
And you’re right, it’s none of your business.
” She’s curt with her reply as she releases an angry breath.
I definitely wasn’t overthinking the situation, she’s mad at us both.
I shouldn’t have brought her into the spat, but it’s clear their issues run deeper than this situation with me.
I probably should leave her alone.
“My bad, just wanted to check on ya and apologize for actin’ like a schmuck.
” I want to push the conversation, because she doesn’t seem okay, but I also don’t want to make anything worse, so I decide against it.
“Sorry for buggin’ ya and I didn’t mean any disrespect, I just got caught up in the moment,” I mutter, tilting my hat and turning to leave.
A small hand touches my shoulder and I turn back toward her.
“He’s not as bad as he seems.” A tear wells in her eye, but she wipes it away. “He was just used to being the best. He’s better when we aren’t here.”
I look at her. Really look at her. And that’s when I notice the faint bruises on her upper arm that peek out just beneath her sleeve.
The look in her eyes tells me she isn’t just worried, she’s scared.
It’s obvious their problems run deeper than arguments and raised voices.
“Listen, like I said it ain’t my business.
I don’t much care how he acts toward me, but your tears tell me it hurt ya.
” Among other things, but it feels wrong to point that out.
“Doesn’t matter where ya are, ya deserve better.
Everyone does. If ya need me to get ya out of here I will.
That offer stands no matter where ya see me. Always.”
God damnit, now I know Kaylee’s right.
Another tear rolls down her cheek followed by a soft half-smile.
“Just wanted to make sure ya were okay, not make ya cry more.”
“No, no. I’m okay, thank you for checking. I’m fine but I appreciate the gesture and the offer.”
I can’t tell if I helped even a little, but I do feel better that, at the very lest, she knows I’m not as big of an ass as I just made myself out to be.