Chapter 22
Verge
The next morning, I wake up on the cot in Beau’s room, and my back screams. I think I am going to take Liz up on her offer of staying in the loft.
I can’t thank Beau and his family enough for taking me in the way they did, but this house for sure isn’t really big enough for five grown people.
I can't blame Beau for staying. I mean, shit, he isn’t here a lot of the time.
Aria is moving out the summer after she graduates to go to college, and they said I could move into her room, but living near Shi sounds so much better.
As I walk out of the room, I see Uncle Clark in the kitchen making a sandwich. He looks up to me and says, “Morning, sunshine, or should I say afternoon.” He laughs.
I grab the back of my neck, laughing, before I ask, “Where did Beau head off too?”
“He went to rope with Cash this morning around 9:00.”
I nod, walking to the coffee pot to make myself some coffee before I work up the courage to tell him my plan to move to the loft at Shi’s.
“So Liz offered me the loft above the barn last night and said no one lives in it,” I say over my shoulder.
I press the start button on the pot and turn around, leaning on the counter, looking at him, and he turns around, sandwich in hand, and shrugs. “That was awfully nice of her.”
“Yeah, I think I may take her up on it. I feel bad putting you all out the way I did, but don’t ever think I don’t appreciate you and Aunt Kate.” I go to say, and he cuts me off, waving his hand through the air.
“Verge, we would never doubt your gratitude. How things went down with your mother was awful, and I’m so glad we could help you get on your feet, but I’d never hold it against you if you found somewhere with more space.” He assures me, and it makes my worry dissipate.
He then belly laughs, looking over his shoulder, then back to me, and says, “Now, help me with a plan to get my real grown-ass kids to move out.”
We both laugh together, and he puts his hand on my shoulder and says, “We love you, Verge. You know that, right?”
“I do. I love y’all too.”
I appreciate his honest words more than he knows.
We were all as close as we could be when I was growing up, but with Mom and I living in Colorado, it was hard.
They did visit a lot, and Uncle Clark has always been a good guy, trying to pick up the pieces that my dad left behind.
Aunt Kate and my mom were close, given that they were twins.
Aunt Kate called weekly to check in on mom and begged us to move here so she could help with treatments and in general, but mom?
No, she wouldn’t leave her ranch. Aunt Kate moved to Wyoming when she met Uncle Clark on the rodeo circuit.
She used to barrel race, and he was a bull rider.
He’s retired now, but I guess that is why he was friends with Boone and Liz, making Beau and Cash good buddies.
He’s told me stories of Boone and him on the circuit before, and he tried one time to bring me to the Pbr with him to meet Boone, but it never worked out.
“I guess I’ll pack and head over there. I’ll come by, obviously, to see y'all, though.” I assure him. I don’t want him to think I’m just gonna move out and never be heard from again.
“Okay, see you around.” He says, taking his sandwich into the living room before he turns around, looking at me, and says, “Make sure to tell Aunt Kate, though. You know how she worries.”
I smile. “Yes, sir.”
I make my way to Beau’s room and pack my things.
I don’t really have much, if I’m being honest. I have two suitcases packed full of clothes, and my rope and equipment I just left in the trailer at Shi’s, considering we seem to always travel together anyway.
I have one box of trophies and buckles I won in the garage and a few pictures I was able to keep after the estate sale.
As I pack my things, Aunt Kate appears in the doorway. “I hear you’re moving,” she says.
I stand, running my hand through my hair, and let out a breath before I say, “I was coming to tell you before I headed out.”
Aunt Kate looks just like my mom. They were identical twins, and sometimes it’s hard for me to even look at her.
Not because I don’t want to or because she did anything wrong, it just makes me miss her that much more.
They both had dark hair like me and silver eyes.
Beau has dark hair, but his eyes are whiskey colored like Uncle Clark’s.
She has a cup of coffee in her hand, and with her free hand, she waves it through the air before she says, “I’m not upset, Verge. I get it. That cot can't be good on your back.” She laughs, pointing to the cot on the floor.
I shrug, laughing, before I say, “It was fine.”
It’s a lie, but I’d never act ungrateful for it.
She comes up quickly, hugging my neck with her free arm, and it takes me by surprise, but I hug her back, and she says, “I’m sorry for the hand fate dealt you, sweet boy, but I’m glad you’re making the best of it. She would be so proud of you.”
I hug her back and swallow the lump in my throat before pulling back and saying, “Thanks, Aunt Kate.”
“Now, you don’t be a stranger, though, you hear?” She says, pointing at me with her free hand. With how abrupt her hug was, I’m shocked she didn’t spill her coffee on both of us.
“I won’t,” I assure her, and she walks out of the door.
I then look around the room, finish packing, then get in my truck and head over to Shi’s
As I’m pulling up in the driveway, I see everyone pulling out their horses, about to mount up. I cut the engine and get out, reaching in my pocket for my cigarettes. I really wish I could kick this habit, but damn, the cravings hit hard.
As I walk over to everyone, I put the cigarette between my lips and light up. Taking a drag, I inhale, and damn, it feels good. Quitting doesn’t look like it’s in my near future, unfortunately.
“Verge, come to join us?” Cross teases.
“I thought you would all be done by now. Beau left me sleeping at home.” I say as everyone except Shi mounts up.
“Beau got here too early. We were all still asleep.” Tyler laughs. It makes me feel better that I’m not the only one who slept late today, but given how far of a drive we had the day before, I’m not shocked.
Shi walks over to me with her horse behind her, pressing up on her tiptoes to kiss me and says, “Morning.”
“Morning, baby,” I reply.
“I don’t suppose you ride or rope, Verge?” Cross asks.
“Oh, don’t let this guy fool you into thinking he only rides bulls. He can heel better than Cash here.” Beau teases.
Cash rolls his eyes before he says, “Prove it.”
I shrug and say, “Who’s horse am I riding?” I’m always up for a challenge.
“Ride Alley Cat.” Shi says as she gets up on Riot. She swings her leg over and points to the barn. “She’s the palomino on the right, fourth stall. Tack and ropes are in the tack room, and pick whatever saddle you want.”
I nod, heading for the barn, and Cross says, “Oh, use a hack on her. She will buck your ass off if you put a bit in her mouth.” He laughs.
“Are you speaking from experience?” I joke.
“Yes, yes he is.” Shi and everyone else burst into laughter, and he throws his head back, running his hand down his face.
“Unlike these assholes here, I figured I’d warn you. They all wanted to see me get bucked off.” He says defensively, looking at Shi and Cash, who are still laughing their asses off.
“I wish I could have seen this.” Tyler laughs, and Cross looks at her with a deadpan look that has me chuckling.
I walk into the barn as they all continue to banter back and forth, walking to the arena. I finish my dwindling cigarette, drop it, step on it, then again pick it up and find a trash can to dispose of it in.
I find Alley Cat in her stall and pull her out and saddle her.
Beau isn’t wrong. I'm pretty damn good at roping. I just honestly don’t have the money for a horse of my own, and I enjoy bull riding more.
However, if Shiloh ever needed someone to rope with her, I’d gladly heel for her if the time ever presented itself.
As soon as I have Alley Cat tacked up and ready to go, I walk her out of the barn and mount up, riding to the arena where everyone is warming up their horses, and I see Tuff is here too, gathering the steers. He brings his hand up, waving to me, and I wave back.
After about twenty minutes of loping circles, we all start practice.
My ankle is still a tinge sore, but it’s not terrible anymore, thank God.
I can walk normally today and stay on a horse.
I knew it wasn’t broken, just severely bruised, but the bruising has turned a yellowish color now, and it’s really only sore to the touch.
“Okay, I need to see these so-called roping skills.” Cross laughs, pointing to me and Shi.
“Shi, head for Verge. I want to watch,” he says as Tyler comes up beside him, and he leans over, kissing her. She has a stopwatch in her hand and looks as invested as Cross does right now. Cross looks at Tyler and says, “Wanna head for me, baby?”
She puts her hand to her chest, saying, “I’d be honored.” I laugh at them, shaking my head. They really are perfect for each other.
Shi smiles at me, and we both make our way to the chutes. I think I’m good, but I do not think I’m as good as Cross by any means. Better than Cash maybe, but not better than Cross.
“You ready?” Shi asks, pulling her rope up as Riot hops in the chute.
“Ready when you are.” I wink, and her cheeks heat.
She looks to Tuff, who has the steer in the chute ready to go, and nods her head. The chute springs open, and we are off. She ropes the steer with ease, pulling him to her right, and I swing my rope over my head, scooping the heels quickly and dallying, backing Alley Cat up.
“Holy shit,” Tyler yells, looking at Cash before she says, “Looks like you got your work cut out for you, Cash. 4.6 seconds.”
“Weee-doggie, you are good.” Cross laughs out.
I laugh at Cross and look back to Shi, who is smiling from ear to ear. Damn, I think I fucking love this woman. The way she’s looking at me right now sets my heart on fire.
“Not bad at all.” She smirks.
“Alright, our turn.” Cash yells, breaking me out of my trance.
Tuff frees our ropes from the steer, and Shi walks past me, looking me up and down, saying, “I’m impressed.”
I tip my hat to her, following behind, and I can’t wait to take her on this date tonight.
Starting our day off like this is just the icing on the cake, but I can’t wait to have her to myself tonight, and if I’m lucky, in my bed in the loft after, whether that be sleeping or something else, I just want her alone.