Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“You’ve got the all-clear, son.”
Jacob couldn’t be hearing Dr. Smith correctly. He had to be imagining things. It was like his brain short circuited and all he could do was stare at the doctor.
Both doctors, actually.
Drake stood a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest and a broad smile pulling at his lips.
There was pride shining in his eyes as he gave Jacob a curt nod.
“Your strength has improved immensely. You still get sore after each session, but not nearly as much as before. I want to continue seeing you and working you up to your maximum abilities, but at this point I have to agree with Doctor Smith. You’re cleared to ride and start your practice regimen.
I don’t foresee any additional issues arising between now and the competition in December. ”
Jacob’s mouth hung open. He was hearing everything they had to say but it wasn’t registering. He’d come into this consultation expecting the worst. Heck, last week he’d given himself a charley horse and he’d figured that put him back a few steps.
Kai clapped him on the back then grabbed both of his shoulders and gave him a little shake, reminding Jacob he was the only one who had come with him to this appointment.
It had been for moral support and while Jacob would have loved to have Hallie at his side, he hadn’t wanted her to see him react when he got the bad news.
“This is excellent news, man!” Kai’s voice startled Jacob back to the present. It was loud and bordered on obnoxious—but only because Kai’s excitement seemed to surpass his own. Then reality hit him.
Hard.
He sucked in a deep breath and whirled to face his manager. “You hear that?”
Kai beamed at him. “Yeah, man. I did. You’re going to have a shot at the finals.”
Jacob laughed and brought his hands to his hair, making it more disheveled than before.
“I’ve got a shot at the finals. I can keep working.
” The relief, adrenaline, and exhilaration swirled together in a dangerous concoction.
He turned to face the doctors. “And the risk is low that I’ll aggravate these injuries? ”
The doctors shared an amused look and then Doctor Smith spoke again.
“As I said, the injuries you sustained when you were hit by that bull aren’t the same sort you would get while riding a bronco.
Of course nothing is absolute. There is always the chance that you could injure yourself if you’re not careful.
You will need to remain vigilant. And no more darting out in front of angry bulls. ”
Jacob laughed again. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this light. It was like he was floating, staring down at himself as he got the news. He could compete again. His dreams weren’t shot. His future was wide open again.
And he couldn’t wait to tell Hallie the good news.
He exited the doctor’s office, Kai at his side. They were both smiling. Nothing was going to get them down.
Phone in hand, Kai glanced over at him as they walked down the hospital corridor toward the building’s exit.
“I’ll reach out to your sponsor and the coach.
We’ll need to connect Doctor Drake with your team so everyone knows what you’re working on and how much we can push you.
I don’t want you jumping in too soon. The last thing we want to do is destroy all the work you’ve put into healing. ”
Jacob nodded. “Right. What about competitions?”
“There are a few close by coming up. They’re not exactly the most prestigious, but they’ll be good for you—help you get back into the right headspace for competing again.
We’re feeling on top right now, but we have to remember it’s going to take some effort to get you back to where you were.
It can mess with your head when you expect everything to be the same. I’ve seen it before.”
Jacob’s steps faltered and he glanced at his manager. “I’m not na?ve, Kai. I know this isn’t going to feel the same. Heck, the act of walking felt different for a while. I know what I’m up against.”
“Good. Eyes wide open, Jacob. That’s what I want to see.
” Kai didn’t miss a beat. He brought his phone to his ear as he strode toward his car.
It was a sleek sportscar rental he’d gotten this morning when he’d flown in for the appointment.
Now that Jacob had the green light, they’d be seeing each other more.
Kai would likely get something more reasonable to drive around Rocky Ridge.
His manager gave him a wave as he pulled out of the parking lot and Jacob climbed behind the wheel of his truck. The grin he wore was a permanent fixture at this point. He probably should have been more cautious about the speed limit, and thankfully he arrived back in one piece.
Hallie’s car was parked out front, but he didn’t have to track her down. She must have heard the sound of his tires on the gravel. They’d discussed when she’d move back to her place, and he’d convinced her to stay until after today’s appointment.
While he hadn’t wanted her to witness him getting bad news, he’d known he might need her calming presence after the fact.
She stood on the front porch, the breeze plucking at her hair and causing it to dance in the fall wind. Her cheeks and nose colored quickly in the cool weather, but her eyes heated with all the affection he knew she harbored for him.
He wasted no time closing the distance between them and scooping her up into his arms. “They said I’m clear.”
“What?” she pulled back breathlessly, her eyes searching his with excitement. “You can compete again?”
Jacob nodded. This was the happiest moment in his life.
He hadn’t known just how much he depended on this news until this point.
He laughed and spun her around despite her arguments.
“I get to compete again. Kai thinks I still have a shot at the finals in Vegas. Can you believe it?” He set her down on her feet and framed her face with both of his hands.
“I’m not broken anymore, Hallie,” he whispered, then he kissed her.
It was deep and fueled by all the relief from his pent-up anxiety over what the doctors would say.
Hallie’s arms wrapped around him, tugging him close.
She clung to him, sharing in the emotional revelations.
He wanted to laugh, cry, and holler to the sky.
But most of all, he wanted to celebrate with the woman who had helped him through it all.
Pulling back, he brushed the apples of her cheeks with his thumbs, chasing away the happy tears she shed… for him.
“You were never broken, Jacob,” she murmured quietly. “I hope you know that.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead before resting his own there.
“And you helped me see that.” They stood like that for long moments until Hallie was the first to move.
She reached for his hand and tugged him toward his cabin.
“I’ve gotten everything packed up. I’ll be heading out in a little bit.
But I thought we could share one more game of chess before I go. ”
Frowning, he paused, his hand slipping from hers as he took in his home with new eyes. This wasn’t her home. He’d barely been able to call it a home before. Looking at it now, something felt off.
“Jacob?”
He cut Hallie a look. Concern marred her features. “Are you coming?”
Nodding, Jacob shook off the strange half-thought and stepped through the door.
Everything was the same and yet it wasn’t.
Everywhere he looked, he could see the small touches that Hallie had given the space.
The pile of puzzles on the floor by the fireplace.
The chess board set up on the coffee table in front of the television.
Even the smell seemed to suggest that she’d changed the chemistry of the air if that was even possible.
“Hey.” Hallie’s voice was quiet and close.
The warmth of her body nearly pressed into him, soaking into his chilled bones.
He glanced up at her, noting the creases between her brows.
He wanted to kiss them away, but unease kept him rooted to the spot.
She placed a hand to his cheek. “Everything okay?”
Jacob nodded. “Yeah. Of course.” Except he was anything but.
Nothing felt normal. Not anymore. Being here with Hallie while he got better had brought with it certain emotions and experiences that he hadn’t known were possible for him. But returning to his career meant he’d be walking away from the new pleasures he’d discovered.
“You know what? We can skip the game. You were going to call your brother with the news, remember? I’ll get us started on some food and we can watch a show before I head out.”
He nodded, numb.
Something cold and heavy was placed into his palm and he glanced down to see his phone.
When he looked up, Hallie was giving him a reassuring smile.
“After I get the food started, I’ll make some calls of my own.
This calls for celebration. You getting back on the horse is going to be the biggest news this town has seen since I don’t know when.
It deserves a party. Invite your brother. I’m sure he’d love to come.”
You’re too good for me.
He would have voiced the words if he could, but his heart was being torn in half.
No, this wasn’t a matter of having his heart broken because his feelings weren’t being returned.
This was a matter of his heart already belonging out there on the road, when at the same time the other half wanted nothing more than to put down roots and see what a life with Hallie could be.
Hallie flicked her fingers toward him. “Go on then. I know you’re in shock, but everything will settle down and reality will kick in. You got this.”
Gripping the phone tight in his hand, he headed for the door. This wasn’t a conversation he could have with Hallie listening in.
Ryker picked up on the first ring. “What’s the news, man?”
“I have a green light.” His voice sounded thick even to himself. He wasn’t nearly as excited over the prospect of what would come next.
“Is that a good thing? I thought green lights meant go.”
“Yes… yeah… they do…”
“Then why do you sound like you just found out your horse broke his leg?”
Jacob dug his fingers into his scalp and hung his head. “Because I don’t know what to do.”
“You don’t want to compete?” Ryker’s shock came through loud and clear.
“I did—do. I’m going back in. I’ll be kicking my practice and training up a notch. I have a great PT who’s going to be there every step of the way.”
His brother was silent for so long Jacob had to look at his screen again just to make sure he hadn’t hung up on him. Then he finally spoke. “So what’s the hang up, Jacob?” The way he said it made it clear he had a generally good idea.
“Did you ever…” Jacob sighed. “Did you ever resent Mackenzie after you walked away… you know… from everything?”
“Jacob…” Ryker sighed, concern in his tone. “Is this about Hallie?”
“Just answer the question.”
“No. Not ever. And just because—”
“That’s just it, then, isn’t it?” Jacob closed his eyes tight, willing his emotions to stay in check. “We can’t have it all. You walked away from your career. I wouldn’t be able to do that. I can’t do that. If I did, I know I’d feel resentful. This is my dream.”
“What makes you think you can’t have it all? Hallie isn’t a stranger to the rodeo lifestyle, right? She knows what it would be like. I’m sure she’d like the adventure of traveling with you.”
Jacob shook his head. “That’s too much of a sacrifice. We’re better off living separate lives.”
More silence followed. As much as Jacob expected Ryker to tell him he was making the wrong decision, that didn’t happen.
His brother merely sighed once more. “You have to make the decision that works best for you. Just… don’t let your fears or preconceived notions get in the way.
There are always going to be multiple paths to get to the same location. ”
Except not this time. Hallie was an only child.
She’d been adopted into a big, beautiful family that showed up every single day for each other.
Going from that to being on the road would be too much of a change.
Heck, Jacob recalled how it had been when he first started.
Leaving home even when he didn’t have parents to go back to had still made him homesick.
All he had was Ryker and they were together. It hadn’t made sense.
How selfish would that make him if he asked Hallie to come with him on the road when she had so much going for her here? And what about her photography plans? She could take courses or get a job if she won that competition.
No.
This would be for the best. Cutting ties with Hallie would hurt them both, but in the end, they’d be better off for it.
“Yeah, I know,” Jacob mumbled. “Hey, Hallie is throwing a party sometime soon to celebrate. You think Mackenzie and the kids would want to come up for something like that? I’m sure we can schedule something to work around your responsibilities.”
“Let me look into it and I’ll get back to you, all right?”
“Okay. Thanks, Ryker.”
“Hang in there, brother. Everything always works out the way it’s supposed to.”