2. Layla
LAYLA
Vibrations buzz through the mattress as the sun peeks through the Suburban’s windows. Stetson shifts, reaching for his phone.
“I have to take this.” He kisses the top of my head. “I’ll be back soon.” Slipping into his jeans, he climbs out of the back and heads down toward the closest barn.
I stretch my arms as my body lengthens. A small smile plays on my lips thinking about how beautiful last night was.
Warmth settles in my chest as my face heats.
Another reason to keep the smile on my lips.
Losing my virginity was anything but a loss.
It was a level of trust handed over to someone I care about.
Stetson treated my body like a sacred prized possession.
Maybe going all in with Stetson isn’t something to be feared. His family is picture perfect. His parents adore me. Karli flashes through my mind, sinking my gut. What if she’s against it? I cannot lose her, but damn, I’m falling for Stetson. Last night solidified it completely.
Looking over to where he stands, he seems stressed. Maybe I need to de-stress him like I did last night. That would be fun. There’s so much I want to try with him.
He hangs up his phone and paces for a moment, still shirtless. Quickly, he taps away on his phone with a firmly set jaw. Whoever was on the phone had news he isn’t sure how to process. Tossing my dress over my head, I get out to check on him.
“Is everything okay?” I call out.
“Hey, sweet girl.” He opens his arms, and I fall against his chest. “How are you feeling after last night?”
Looking up and wrapping my arms around his neck, I press a kiss to his lips.
“Like I want to do that again and again with you.”
Stetson’s lips roll in as he steps back, holding my hands.
“But next time, my mouth can play too,” I tell him, feeling my cheeks heat, but I’m glad I said it.
His smile doesn’t reach his eyes. My breathing stops.
“Layla, my manager called.” His tone is nearly robotic, like he’s trying to check out of this moment. “I’ve been so busy with helping on the ranch and being with you and I forgot a deadline.”
“Is it about you returning?” I ask as bile rises up my throat.
“I had the all-clear from my doctor last week.” His eyes light up, but nerves radiate off him.
“Okay...” This is it. He’s quitting. He’s gonna ask me to be with him, or go on the road with him.
“The contract acceptance or denial is due today.”
I wait, each second feeling longer than the last.
A loud whistle jolts our attention. His best friend, Parker, rides over on a horse with a smile bigger than Texas itself. For a moment, I forgot he works here.
Seems like I’ve forgotten a lot.
“Hey, bro!” He stops short. His stare intensifies between us, glancing at the Suburban. He doesn’t say anything, but it’s obvious when Stetson drops my hands and backs away. “I’m glad I have your social media notifications turned on, but I would have loved to hear from you first.”
For someone drinking a ton last night, he seems chipper being up with the sun.
“Fuck’s sake, Lindsay,” Stetson mutters, defeat in his voice. I think that’s his manager? “She must have had a pre-made graphic, her finger hovering above the fucking post button as my signed contract hit her email.”
“Congrats on returning.” Parker tips his cowboy hat. My lungs seize, body reacting before my mind can. “That brand deal collab is one you were hoping for.”
I smile with hopes I might feel the joy it’s supposed to trigger.
“And pro? Dude, you can be the next world champion!” Parker’s giddy.
I should be proud and giddy for his dream too. But right now? That high from last night and this morning has completely floated away.
Hold it together. My heart pounds, stomach dares to vomit, and tears threaten to fall.
All. At. The. Same. Time.
“It’s his passion, Parker,” I force myself to say without choking, staring at Stetson. I see a man who has worked so damn hard toward a dream. “Of course it would manifest into everything he's ever wanted.”
“Layla.” He says my name like he doesn’t know what to say.
“Even an injury can’t keep them from wanting you,” I add with a smile, my chest hollowing out with each forced word.
“Thanks,” Stetson mutters, looking up at Parker. “We can celebrate later.” He stares a little too long, sending a silent message.
“Alright.” Parker glances between us. “I’m gone.” Clicking his tongue at his horse, he rides off.
A beat of silence hangs over us. There’s still time for him to offer us a real shot. He knows my job can be anywhere.
“I’m sorry you found out like this.” Remorse fills the air. “I was about to tell you, and then Parker showed up.”
“I’m happy for you.” My voice pitches. I’m unable to relax myself with a full breath. “It’s what you’ve wanted.” How do I stop the pitchiness?
“It’s a dream.” Seeing him smile like this is something I would never dare to wipe away. “Despite the injury, I received a brand offer to go along with competing professionally.”
“Yep.” That’s it. That’s all I can manage as my eyes sting.
“I leave in two days.” Stepping forward, his hands cup my face. “I won’t be coming back, Layla.” At that, my stomach bottoms out, but he continues. “At least I don’t know when I will be.”
“I know how professional rodeo life works, Stetson,” I say, clearing my throat, already mourning someone who was never mine. Needing space, I move his hands away and step back.
“You understanding makes me feel better about leaving.” His eyes search mine, and I smile and nod. That’s all I can do.
I chose to give myself to him without knowing the outcome. I want to bury my face in his chest, let his arms hold me tight. That would only make this worse.
“You’ll do great.” My cheeks ache from forcing smiles.
“We both get to live out our dre—”
“Ahhhh!” Karli runs over. “Parker told me where you were, and damn, he’s looking mighty fine today.” I chuckle brokenly, choking on emotion, but Karli is too caught up with her brother to hear.
“He’s my best friend, Karli,” Stetson groans at his sister.
“I can appreciate muscle. But OHMYGOODNESS, I’m so happy for your offer!” She hugs her brother, then raises an eyebrow at me. “Weren’t you wearing that dress yesterday?”
A nervous laugh bubbles from my lips, even as nausea swirls. “You’ve repeated outfits.” I should come clean and tell her, but with Stetson now leaving…it’s not like anything will come of us.
“True.” She brushes me off, turning her attention back to her older brother. “Mom and Dad are going to freak! You’ve worked sooo hard for this.”
“I’m gonna go.” My voice cracks, but I smile through it. “Congrats, Stet. I’m proud of you.” His last memory of me will be how proud I am of him. Not one of me crumbling to my knees and weeping. “I’ll text you later, Karli.”
“I’ll drive you,” Stetson pleas as I walk away.
Don’t look back.
“I’ve got my mind to walk off.” My feet match the beat of my heart which puts me in a trot. I’ll collect my art stuff another time.
“It’s twenty minutes in this heat,” Karli chimes in.
“I’m used to living in hell.”
The most painful part isn’t him leaving. It’s him treating our night together as a one-off instead of me being someone worth asking to tag along on his journey.
And when he leaves not even forty-eight hours later, only calling me once and not leaving a message, it’s clear how little our time together meant to him. At least compared to how much it meant to me.