Nathaniel #3
That I know you fucking lying look was back on her face and I was laughing again. “You were almost as bad as Antwan’s ass, Nate. Act like you know your body count. Wait, can you count that high?”
I had to suck my teeth at her because now she was running out. Her messy ass was laughing at my expense but we both knew Antwan was on another level. “I ain’t that bad.”
“You’re not. Y’all were going NDA for NDA there for a minute. But you seemed to slow down right around the time he did. And my nerves thank y’all for that. You got your mind right in the last year and that’s why things are falling into place the way they are.”
My eyes found Charisma like my soul had a tracker on hers. “She’s magical.”
“Not saying she’s not. But I’m saying you aligned your life at the right time to accept someone like her being in it. The two of you finding each other just cements the direction your life was headed. I understand how that works and I’m glad you’re not running from it like some people.”
“Don’t tell me that Jacoby was out here scared.”
“My husband wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Didn’t mind keeping our relationship low-key because I was worried about what other people would think.
” People rarely got to see this side of Billy because she was normally all business.
But right now? She was a woman that was just as obsessed with her man as he was with her.
I wanted to be the reason that Charmy was walking around looking as goofy in love as Billy did right now.
“I know how that feels.”
“Nothing about how she’s moving is low key, Nate. She’s here not shying away from you, PDA or being seen with you. Give her credit because I wasn’t doing any of that shit.”
Jacoby had to be God’s strongest warrior because this woman wasn’t playing. “Damn. Pour one out for my boy Coby’s pride.”
“He ended up with the prize so I think he’s more than compensated after being personally victimized by Billy Briggs.” She winked and I swore Billy was like the sweet big sister but the trillest nigga in the room at the same time.
“You’re silly as hell.”
“I’m going back to prep your lady for what she has to be prepared for. Your team is looking good so make sure y’all keep the trophies coming in. That school of yours will have to build dormitories in a few years to hold all the people clamoring to train with you.”
My chest got tight because the thought of that coming to fruition filled me with pride.
The sport was only growing and I wanted to make a big enough name for myself that people would want to come and train with me.
Just like NASCAR wasn’t taken seriously at one point, rodeo was in the same boat.
But the right investments and making it available to the masses had their sport taking off.
I was sure the same thing would happen with ours.
“That would be a dream come true.”
“How many more years are you giving this? I’m only asking so I know what to set your contract terms at.”
“Maybe three.”
“Sounds good. Gives you time for at least one of your offspring to see you at the rodeo before you take your last ride.”
I could only chuckle because it was clear she was too happy to sprinkle baby dust on everyone else now that she was done. “You really big on this kid thing right now.”
“I’m getting my first nibling after having four.
Yeah, kids are kinda my thing. Especially when I can give them back to their mama and daddy.
” Sampson and Yzzy held dinner earlier in the week to announce that she was pregnant.
The craziest part was that she was almost halfway done with her pregnancy and they were planning something to tell us the gender later in the month.
“Never thought I’d see the day the Mastiff in Manolos is letting some kids rule her.”
“The Mastiff is still there, but the heels gotta come off sometimes. I’ve worked hard enough to relax and enjoy all of this. That’s what you need to have your eye toward here soon.” Billy’s look was pointed and I knew she would help me reach whatever goal I set.
“I hear you.”
“Good. I’m off to aggravate my sister by talking to her belly. Stay out of trouble, Nate.” She patted my shoulder like I was finna go off and rob a bank or something.
“And just like that, you’ve jinxed me.”
Her eyes narrowed but she knew it was futile.
If somebody ran up on me I was gone put them in their place.
I ain’t give a fuck where we were. That he who shall not be named ex of my sister’s was around here lurking and they got lucky at the family rodeo.
He started that shit here and he was going to get done up.
“Well, stay out of the kind of trouble that could jeopardize your deals. Anything else I can cover up.”
I pointed at her with a grin ‘cause she knew how to get shit done. “And that’s why you’ll always be my agent.”
She did a little curtsy that had me cracking up because I never would’ve thought Billy was this playful. Hell, she probably wasn’t until she met her husband.
“Just doing my job, Nate.”
“Need me to walk you back?”
“Nope. I’m going to check in on my brood and probably say something nasty to that man I married. Don’t need you eavesdropping on that.”
My chivalry went on hiatus after she conveyed her intentions. “I’m good on that. Holler if you need me.”
She gave me a two-finger salute before sashaying away from me like she owned the world.
My eyes went back toward the box the family was in and I was tempted to head up there to sit with my lady.
Tradition meant I needed to have my ass on the ground so I didn’t go up there.
She didn’t come all this way to watch me lose so I’d be up under her when I had another buckle for her to wear as she took me on a victory ride.
Before I got my head back in the game, I was going to check out the cows that were being sold for auction.
I didn’t think whoever took our livestock would be dumb enough to sell it within the state of Texas but you never knew.
I was going to join my brother under the guise of looking for new heifers to check things out.
I might be here to win but that issue still hadn’t been resolved.
I wasn’t going to be right until we did.