Chapter 16 Jade
After a busy week, it’s finally Friday night.
Today we closed down the shop an hour early since everyone is out here at the rodeo.
As we enter the grounds, I take in the lively atmosphere and let a smile stretch across my face.
I love the rodeo. The crowd is buzzing and wild, and people from all around British Columbia and even other provinces who follow the rodeo have come to watch. It’s a night to get loud and dress up.
Sarah went all out this evening. She’s got on a short denim skirt with a big blingy belt buckle, pink cowboy boots with a matching hat, and of course, Sarah being Sarah, a white crop top that reads save a horse, ride a cowboy in a pink glittery font. I’m convinced she made it herself.
Wren and I chose to dress a little more casual.
Wren’s wearing a pair of flared jeans, and like Sarah, a big belt buckle, though hers much less blingy.
Her top is a casual tee with a bull head on it, tucked into her pants, and she’s of course wearing a pair of cowboy boots and a matching tan hat.
She looks like a real cowgirl and fits in perfectly.
I’ve opted to go with a floral maxi dress under a denim vest and a pair of sneakers. No hat or boots for me, but I did let Sarah do my makeup, so I’m a little more dolled up than usual.
“Come on, girls, let’s go find me a cowboy.” Sarah slaps our asses and skips off to the stands, leaving us laughing and trailing behind her.
The stands are packed, and the smells of popcorn and animals fill the air.
The crowd is dressed in their best Western wear, and even small children are wearing hats and boots.
A rodeo clown is walking through the crowded stands handing out candy to the children and T-shirts to the adults.
The whole town really goes all out for the rodeo and it’s always such a great night.
The first event this evening is the chucks, and as the horses begin to line up, we decide to make it a little more fun by making it a game of bets. Each of us chooses a group, and the losers have to drink.
My choice is a mother daughter duo with a group of all dark-brown horses.
Their jackets and reins are a pretty purple, so it was an obvious choice for me.
Sarah picks a group of black horses decked out in hot pink with two brothers in the wagon, and Wren’s bet is a husband and wife duo in bright orange with all white horses.
Sarah signals for the beer guy, and we crack open our drinks just as the gun goes off. We each shout and cheer on our bets.
“Come on! Come on! Go, go, go!”
“Come on, orange, you got this!”
“Ahh, go, pink, go!”
The horses get closer and closer to the finish line, Sarah’s bet slowing down, Wren’s taking the lead by a good stretch, and mine in fourth.
“Yes!” Wren shouts, shooting up her arms and splashing beer as her group passes the line. We all laugh, and then Sarah and I take our losing drinks. After the fourth heat, Sarah and I need to replace our empty cans, while Wren gloats about winning three of four rounds.
“Oh, hot damn.” Fanning herself, Sarah points over to the gate near the bullpens where a lean and muscular cowboy stands playing with a rope. “Think I can get him to use that rope on me?” She snickers. “I’ve always wanted to be tied up.”
“Sarah! That man looks like he could be your father,” I scold her. Sure the man is attractive and wears those chaps well, not to mention the muscles on him, but with the amount of grey peppered in his beard, he’s got to be at least in his fifties.
“Hey, my dad died when I was six. Maybe I have a daddy kink.”
“Gross,” Wren says, scrunching her nose. “Don’t you mean daddy issues?”
“Nope, definitely mean kink.”
Wren fake gags, and then we’re all laughing.
As the next event is announced, we take our seats, and that’s when Wren tells us she used to dream of being a trick rider.
“I used to sneak out when everyone was asleep and practice. My parents hated it, but they couldn’t deny that I was talented.
When I was sixteen, I had an accident. I usually had Hayes spot for me, especially when I was trying something new, but I was impatient and he was busy.
I saw this thing called a cartwheel vault, and I really wanted to try it.
I really thought I could do it, but something went wrong and I fell.
I hit my head pretty badly. Honestly, I don’t remember much other than waking up in the hospital with a concussion and broken collarbone.
I thought it was the same day when I came to, but I guess it was a week later.
My parents sold my horse and never let me ride again. ” She finishes recounting her story.
“I heard about your accident,” Sarah tells her.
“That must have been so scary,” I say, placing a hand on her arm.
Wren shrugs. “Eh. Like I said, I don’t really remember it.
Just the aftermath. I love my parents, but my relationship with my dad has never been the same.
I was angry that he could just sell my horse without a word about it to me, and I was even angrier when they tried to control me.
I acted out because of it and have made some questionable choices since.
I know they love me and were worried, but I never could forgive fully.
My dad still treats me like I’m a fragile child, and it’s just so unfair that Hayes has broken multiple bones from his stupid horse and my parents have never once said anything. ”
“Yeah, that’s tough. How about, fuck your parents. You’re a grown woman now. Go get yourself a horse and get back out there,” Sarah suggests.
“Maybe,” Wren says, thinking about it.
The horses finish trotting into the grounds, and I admire how pretty they all look.
Some covered in sparkles and gems and others in tassels and even a few in character costumes.
Each rider takes their turn, and I hold my breath with each stunt.
The strength and agility of these riders is impressive, and they are mesmerizing to watch. I can’t believe that used to be Wren.
Next up are the barrel racers, and the crowd goes wild cheering them on. Making another game of it, we each choose a barrel, and if it’s bumped or knocked over, we have to drink. A young woman representing Lavender Falls places first, and we all stand, applauding extra loud.
Already starting to feel way past buzzed, I decide I should get up and go to the bathroom and grab a water. “I’ll be back. I have to pee,” I tell Wren and Sarah as I get up and make my way through the stands.
I’m standing in line for the bathroom when I spot West and Officer Garrett guarding an entrance not far from here.
I must have had way more to drink than I thought because as I watch West throw his head back in laughter and dangle a pair of handcuffs from his fingers, all I can think about is him using those cuffs on me.
When he glances this way and our eyes catch, my stomach heats.
I’m not sure if it’s from the alcohol or just that his smile does something to me, but either way, my pulse starts to race.
He looks damn good tonight. He always does, but tonight, instead of his usual black trousers, he’s wearing a pair of jeans with cowboy boots and a buckle similar to Wrens, along with a cowboy hat.
Who knew West as a cowboy sheriff could be so sexy?
He waves and starts walking towards me, and I swallow down the butterflies currently taking over my body.
“How’s the rodeo going?” he asks, coming to a stop next to me.
“It’s been a lot of fun so far. I wish you could join us.”
“Yeah?” he asks with that dimpled smile of his.
“Yeah.” I smile back.
The line moves forward, and I stumble a bit, West catching me. I look at his giant hand wrapped around my arm and swallow down a moan at the thought of those hands on other places of my body.
“You good?” he asks, looking me over.
“Sorry.” I blush. “I may or may not be a little buzzed from a game of bets we had going on.”
His eyes crinkle, leaving little wrinkles in the corners when he smiles. “Sounds like a good time.”
“I like your outfit, Sheriff Cowboy.” I smile, letting the alcohol talk.
“Sheriff Cowboy?” He chuckles. “I like it.”
My cheeks heat as I smile up at him.
“Well, looks like I should let you go,” he says, gesturing to the now empty line in front of me. I hadn’t even realized we’ve been moving.
I sigh because I’m not ready to leave him yet, but I really need to go pee and I’m sure the girls would wonder where I am. There’s no service in the grounds for me to text them, and plus, West is working. I’m sure he’s too busy to keep standing around with me.
“Yeah, I guess so,” I say, stepping into the entrance of the girls’ washroom, hesitating.
“If you need a ride later, come find me,” he tells me, starting to back away.
“We have plans to walk back to my place, but thank you.”
“Like hell you’re walking,” he says, smile falling. “When you’re ready to go, you come find me,” he demands, and my core clenches at the authority in his voice.
Nodding, all I can do is say, “Okay.”
“Good. See you later, Jade.”
“Bye, Sheriff Cowboy!” I call as I turn the corner to the stalls.
Washroom used and water in hand, I find my spot back in the stands and let the girls know West offered to give us a ride later.
“Cool. I gotta admit, after those drinks, I’m not eager to walk.” Sarah laughs.
“Here,” I say, passing her my water.
“Oh, speaking of my brothers, I think broncs are about to start,” Wren says.
“Ugh,” Sarah groans.
“I just love watching the broncs.”
“I just love watching the cowboys on the broncs.” Sarah’s brows wiggle, and we all laugh.