Chapter 2 #2
“Look, I know you got burned, but this is one of our best friends and my sister. Does it still weird me out that they’re together?
Sometimes,” I admit, but mostly because I just don’t like thinking of my sister with anyone, let alone one of my friends.
“But the truth is, I’ve never seen either of them happier.
We don’t have to like it, but we need to accept it. ”
Elliot sighs. “I know. It’s sick, really. The way they look at each other.” He grimaces, shaking his head.
Leaning in, I say, “Newsflash. You were the same way.”
“God, I was so fucking stupid,” he says, draining the rest of his beer.
“No, you were just hopeful.” The sad thing is, I remember when I felt that way too. “I just hope it stays that way for them.”
You think when you find someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with, that that’s it. You’ll get married and live your lives together.
No one talks about what happens when that plan doesn’t work out, or how quickly your entire life can change. No one warns you what losing the love of your life will do to you, especially when you won’t really have time to grieve because you have another human to care for.
My eyes drift toward a group of women standing around each other, laughing—but none of them are Vienna. The fact that I even notice makes me feel uneasy, so I focus back on the conversation. “It’s easy to be optimistic until life throws some shit at you.”
“You think you’ll ever get married again?” Elliot asks. Given how my marriage ended and the heartache I went through, it’s a question I have answered before. It’s just been a while since I’ve had to think about my answer.
I shrug. “I honestly don’t know. You know Ellis is my top priority. That little girl deserves all of me. There’s not much room left for anyone else.”
“Sometimes I wonder if being alone is just easier,” Elliot says. “I mean, I never wanted a relationship until Tori, and look what fucking happened. I mean, hell, she even had me thinking about kids…”
I huff out a laugh. “You don’t have to explain that to me, man. I get it. But for future reference, if you find yourself having to change who you are or what you want in order to be with someone, they’re probably not the right person for you.”
He snorts. “I know damn well those words didn’t come from you. So what motivational speaker did you steal them from?”
Grief slices right through the center of my chest again. “My mom.”
Elliot’s grin fades. “Fuck, man. I’m—”
I hold my hand up to stop him. “Don’t. No pity.”
He shoves my shoulder. “You know the last fucking thing I’d give you is pity. You know how I feel about that shit.”
Nodding, I continue, “I know. But honestly, it freaks me out sometimes the things I remember about her and then how I can’t recall other stuff.
” My beer bottle meets my lips as I take a swig.
“Jesus, maybe I did need to get out. Maybe Laney and Fletcher’s wedding has got me all up in my head more than I thought. ”
Elliot leans forward. “See? That’s why I needed you here tonight, Rhonan. You fucking understand where my head is at more than Fletcher or Henley. You get what it’s like to experience an endless spiral of thoughts that make you doubt yourself.”
“I might, but it doesn’t mean they don’t want to see you move past this either, man. We all do.”
Before I can say more, the DJ comes over the speakers, announcing the start of the bull riding contest. My eyes land back on Elliot. “I thought you said we had an hour.”
“I guess not.” Elliot rubs his hands together. “Fuck. Here we go,” he continues, dropping his eyes to his crotch. “Don’t let me down, fucker.”
“Jesus Christ,” I mutter to myself.
I only have to be here for a little while longer and then I can go home to my life—the one I’ve created that leaves the least room for disappointment.
***
“Anything?” My voice is hopeful as I glance over at my friend.
Sighing, he drags a hand down his face in defeat. “Nothing.”
“Not even a twitch?”
“Nope.”
“Fuck.”
“Our next contestant is ready! Can we give her some encouragement, folks?” The crowd cheers in response to the DJ’s announcement.
Elliot and I turn back to the mechanical bull—and freeze.
“Is that…”
“Fuck my life,” Elliot grumbles.
“Let’s do this, bitches!” Dilynne, Henley’s younger sister and Elliot’s nemesis, screams over the chaos just as the mechanical bull lurches to life. “Yee-fucking-haw!”
“What are the chances?” I ask.
“Yup. It’s official. Someone upstairs fucking hates me,” Elliot mutters, but he doesn’t move from his seat, his eyes locked on Dilynne as she rolls her hips with the bull.
I glance over at my friend, his jaw locked tight and his eyes narrowed, and for the life of me, I can’t understand why he’s still sitting here.
My attention moves back to Dilynne tossing her head back, shouting over the music.
I take out my phone and snap a picture of her, just in case I need it for blackmail someday.
Only a few seconds later, she gets whipped off the bull in a quick jolt.
The crowd rings out with cheers and applause, and as I look over at Elliot, I watch him stand and adjust his junk before slamming down the rest of his beer and walking toward the bar.
Wait. Did he just…
“Let’s hear it for Dilynne, everyone!” the DJ shouts, cutting through my thoughts.
Before I think better of it, I pull out my phone and open my text thread with my sister.
Me: Do you know where your best friend is right now?
Her response is instant.
Laney: Oh God. Why? Is she in jail?
Me: No, and I’m not on duty, FYI. She’s riding a bull at The Charming Bull.
Laney: WHAT? How do you know that?
Me: Because I’m here and witnessing it with my own eyes.
Laney: Pics or it didn’t happen.
I exit out of our text exchange and attach the picture of Dilynne.
Laney: See? This is what happens when I get engaged and can’t supervise her anymore.
Me: You’re not her babysitter.
Laney: I know. But wait. What are YOU doing at The Charming Bull?
Me: I’m here with Elliot for emotional support. He thinks his dick is broken.
Laney: What???
Me: Long story.
Cheering interrupts my focus as Dilynne hops up from the ground, hands raised in the air. Then I see who’s up next.
Vienna.
Me: Gotta go.
Laney: What? You’re just going to leave me hanging like that? What about Elliot’s dick?
Me: That’s what she said.
I envision her eye roll.
Laney: You’re so immature.
Me: You love me.
Laney: I do. See you soon! Hope you both score!
I don’t give my sister’s last text much thought because now I’m focused on the blonde smiling as she listens to the employee explain the procedures for mounting the bull. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she looks nervous. But given how far I am from her, it’s hard to tell.
The DJ announces Vienna as she swings her legs over the bull. “Our next rider is ready! Give it up for Vienna!”
Vienna adjusts her grip on the rope and then the horn buzzes, signaling the start of her ride.
She laughs as the bull starts out slow, and within seconds, she’s being whipped and spun around.
It’s tortuous to watch as her hips swivel with the motion of the bull, but when it turns too quickly to the right, Vienna loses her grip and goes flying off, landing on her back on the cushioned mat below.
At least she didn’t land face-down this time.
The crowd is a mixture of applause and boos, but Vienna pops up from the mat with a smile on her face while struggling to walk across the ring to the exit. When she finally makes it out, she twists around as if she’s looking for someone, and then suddenly, she disappears.
I pop up from my stool instantly. “What the…”
The same screech I heard earlier rings out, and I’m headed in her direction again, finding her laughing on the ground for a second time this evening, but this time flat on her back, gripping her stomach with her eyes closed as she giggles.
Fighting the quirk in my lips, I stare down at her. “You know, I’m beginning to think you like being on the ground.”
Her eyes open and lock onto mine, but she’s still fucking smiling.
The lift of her lips sparks my own.
“And I’m beginning to think that my shoes are the reason I can’t stay standing tonight.
” She takes my hand when I offer it, and I help pull her up.
She brushes her hair from her face as our gazes remain locked.
But as soon as she attempts to take a step forward, she winces.
Bending forward, she lifts her foot from the ground, rolling it around. “God, that fall hurt my ankle.”
My brows draw together. “Can you walk?”
“Yeah, it’s just tender.”
“You should probably take your shoe off and see if it’s swelling.”
A wince passes over her face. “It’s fine.”
“Is that your ankle talking,” I ask, “or your ego?”
Her glare makes me want to smirk again, but I keep my composure. “Maybe.” She hisses. “God, it really hurts.” Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m hoisting this woman into my arms and carrying her across the bar back to our table. “What the…Rhonan!”
Ignoring her, I carefully set her down on a stool.
“That wasn’t necessary,” she says, folding her arms across her chest.
“Well, it’s done. So what are you going to do about it?”
Her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t argue. After a beat, she actually surprises me when she says, “I guess I should say thank you, but forgive me for being taken aback by that little display.”
“You’re welcome. Now, shall we take off your boots to prevent any other injuries tonight?”
After a beat of contemplation, she sticks her foot out toward me. I take a seat next to her, prop her foot in my lap, and make careful work of removing her boot.
“Fine. Although, I’ve gotta say, I didn’t think this is how my night would end up.”
“And how is that?” I ask her.
“With a handsome stranger tending to me,” she says, a playful grin on her lips.