17. Avoidance Is My Superpower
AVOIDANCE IS MY SUPERPOWER
PAIGE
We’d been back in Montana for two weeks, and things were so awkward I wanted to scream every day. Since we were moving on to the second half of the circuit, we flew from Vegas into a small airport in Northern Montana where Tweety and Buck picked us up.
They were so excited to see us and I was able to fake a smile.
I didn’t think the guys noticed anything was off, but Cash and I hadn’t exchanged more than a few sentences since we got back.
Cash had tried being nice, but I couldn’t face him.
He’d left coffee outside my door. He’d made me dinner that I didn’t eat.
He’d let me play whatever bubble-gum pop country I wanted on our way to the event last weekend.
I noticed his lack of jabs at me and his sweet gestures, but I wasn’t naive.
He just didn’t want me to rat him out to my father.
We pulled up to the parking lot of the Northern Montana State Fair where Cash would be competing today. I jumped out of the truck with my camera bag and started across the parking lot. I heard Cash calling after me, but I ignored him.
This was a bigger competition than what Cash had previously competed in and it showed. The crowds were lined up outside the fair gates waiting to be let in as horse trailers and contestants flooded into the back staging area.
Since it was now summer, events like this would be picking up. I had to get through today and then we were going home for two weeks before leaving again for Western Montana where there were three more events before the season ended in July.
All I had to do was get through this event and then I could curl up in my own bed for two whole weeks and hide in peace. I needed Shadow—I needed my best girl. Maybe I could even convince my dad to let me off the hook for the rest of the summer.
I walked up to the check-in table and got my media badge before entering the event. I found a good bench to start putting together my camera when I saw Buck and Tweety enter in through the gate. They spotted me immediately and walked over.
“Okay, P. What’s going on?” Buck crossed his arms.
“What do you mean?” I asked innocently.
“You and Cash have been acting weird since you got home from your trip. Did you two fuck? Tell us. We won’t judge you.”
I barked out a laugh. “I did not fuck Cash.”
I’m like 87 percent sure.
“Well, something happened. Cash has been…nice. You’ve been cold. It’s like we’re in the twilight zone.” Tweety shivered as if he got chills.
“Nothing happened, guys, okay? We’re good.”
“When you’re ready to tell us the truth, we’re here to listen,” Buck said, before they both turned and sauntered away.
I hated lying to them but couldn’t exactly spill the truth. No one could find out about what happened in Vegas.
I continued my set up as they announced the start of the first event. I was lingering by the entrance to the arena when someone cleared their throat behind me.
I peered over my shoulder and came face to face with Cash.
“You can’t run from me this time, Pip.” He crossed his arms and widened his stance, letting me know if I tried to take off he’d catch me.
“I wasn’t running from you,” I lied.
“Save it. Look, P, I’m sorry we’re in this situation. We’re going to figure it out, but we can’t do that if we aren’t talking.”
“I know.” I dropped my head and started fidgeting with my camera.
Cash stepped up closer and placed his fingers under my chin, tilting my head up so I was looking him in the eyes.
“I want us to go back to how we were before this all happened. It felt like maybe we could be friends again.”
“I want that,” I whispered. And I did. I missed having Cash around. There was a time where I could tell him almost anything that was happening in my life and he would listen without judgment. That was hard to find.
“Then let’s do it, okay?”
I nodded, and he smiled so wide it made my heart melt. The man was dumb attractive.
Like, it actually wasn’t fair.
“This win is for you, Pip.” He placed a soft kiss on my cheek before backing away to the staging area.
I shook my head and settled in to watch the event. I watched as man after man were abusively thrown off bucking horses, snapping pictures the entire time. My stomach was in knots as Cash lowered himself into the bucking chute. No matter how many times I watched him, I never shook my nerves.
The gate opened and Cash shot out as the horse threw him around like a ragdoll. The clock counted down, but Cash stayed on. I cheered and jumped up and down, snapping pictures of him as they guided Cash and his bronc around the arena.
“He’s a hell of a rider, huh?”
I startled at the voice behind me. At a quick glance, his badge told me he was a local online reporter. I smiled and glanced back to the arena, but Cash was already out of sight.
“Yeah, he’s been doing well.”
The man moved in closer, forcing me to take a step backward.
“I’m sure you’ve gotten to know him pretty well, haven’t you?”
“I’m sorry? That is none of your business.” I looked around, debating if it would be better for me to run for it, or give this creep a piece of my mind. I landed on option one, deciding he wasn’t worth my words. I moved to take off but the man reached out and caught my arm, yanking me back.
“Get your hands off me,” I snapped.
“Or what?” he snickered.
“I suggest you remove your hand before I cut it off your fucking body.” Cash’s booming voice shook me to my core and caused the man to stiffen in front of me.
The man smirked at me before facing Cash, who looked like he was capable of murder in cold blood.