Chapter Fifteen
Leo
“Look, can we all agree that Christian Grey is a shady dude?”
I glanced around the room, a small annex at the back of the Reverence Local Library.
Romance Book Club met here once a month to discuss the latest read on the agenda.
The club was run by August with strong input from myself and contained a mix of ladies of all ages from Reverence.
I was currently its only male member, a fact I was determined to change. Men needed to get with romance more.
Each face stared at me with a different expression, some horrified at the blasphemy I just uttered. Doris even made the sign of the Holy Trinity. But a couple of faces looked at me with pride. I was speaking my truth dammit; Christian Grey was not okay.
August snickered behind her paperback. “I think you’ve just thrown down a gauntlet, Leo.”
I cleared my throat, folding my paperback in my lap. “I’m not saying there’s not some good qualities in this man or that he’s not totally dreamy but there are a number of red flags. A huge number.”
“Oh yeah? Name one,” Kitty, a seventy-five-year-old, five-time divorcee challenged.
“Um…stalking?”
“We like a man who’s dedicated,” Alice, Kitty’s partner-in-crime protested.
“He controls her to a ridiculous degree.”
“We like a man who takes charge,” Doris piped up.
I shot August a help me look.
She just giggled again, like the traitor she was.
“Okay well yes, we like all those things but…” I floundered. “In today’s modern world, ladies, that shit just doesn’t fly. We like a man who supports, who backs his woman, who leaves her to run her shit and steps in when she asks him. Modern love and support.”
“This was written in 2011.”
I clicked my fingers. “Exactly! Twelve years ago. The world has changed ladies. But hey, I’m not yucking your yum. If you like that then fine, I am happy to support. I’m just saying I think he’s shady. Not a contender for Hero of the Year.”
I offered them my most winning smile, even popped a dimple and eventually the stern looks softened to gentle smiles and the odd flirtatious titter.
August rolled her eyes and scoffed. The ladies then debated whether the movie was better than the book.
“I thought we were having a watch party next time? You’ve all gone and watched it without me?” I grumbled, now it was my turn to give them all a stern glare.
“Sweetcheeks, this came out years ago, we’ve all watched it a lot of times. Get with the program,” Doris sassed, and I actually laughed.
“Noted.”
“Did you know that the author originally wanted Robert Pattinson to play him?” Alice asked.
“What a coincidence that would have been!” August replied.
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
August held up her paperback. “Fifty Shades was originally written as Twilight fan fiction.”
“Ah so that’s where the crazy possessiveness came from,” I snorted. I was immediately hit with unimpressed stares. “Uh, I mean, the romantic possessiveness.”
“And Twilight was influenced by Pride and Prejudice. So I think you need to take another look at your precious, controlling, Mr. Darcy.” August raised her brow at me in challenge.
I gulped. “Okay, I think we’ve all said some things we didn’t mean—” I was interrupted by the Romance Book Club Banshees cackling loud enough to make me jump.
“I forgot we aren’t allowed to attack his precious Mr. Darcy!” Kitty quipped.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head, a slow smile appearing on my face at how much joy this was giving my girls.
Yes, I loved romance, reading it, watching it, you name it.
But I also loved spending time with these women, getting some culture and having a lively debate about something we were all passionate about.
“So, what’s the next book?” I tried changing the subject and that just made them laugh even more.
Before we moved onto our next pick, they talked fan casting with a majority of them agreeing that although Jamie Dornan is hot and talented, he wasn’t Mr. Grey.
And that they felt robbed that Jensen Ackles wasn’t given the role, and that Charlie Hunnam had pulled out.
Eventually they finished and we turned to our next book.
“Any suggestions?” I asked.
“Fifty Shades Darker?”
“How about a break from Mr. Grey?” I hinted.
“What about Me Before You?” Kitty offered.
“I think that one is meant to be super sad,” Doris replied.
“Yes, let’s go for a happy one, shall we?”
“How about Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren?” August spoke softly.
“What’s it about?” One of the other ladies asked.
“It’s about…erm…two best friends and their journey to love,” August replied, refusing to meet my stare.
“I’m not sure if—” I began.
“Sounds like a great one then, sold!” Kitty interrupted.
I fixed August with a glare, I knew exactly what she was doing. She flushed under my glare before getting up and fetching the new paperbacks that she coincidentally happened to have already ordered—bullshit if you ask me—to hand out.
Once the club had disbanded, the ladies all leaving, I hung back, waiting for August who suddenly found herself very busy.
“I know what you’re doing,” I called, leaning over the counter as she tidied away books.
“What’s that?” she asked innocently.
“It’s not going to work. Not all best friends are in love with each other.”
“But you are.”
The words sliced through my chest.
“Yes, but I’m only fifty percent of the best friend equation. It’s the other fifty percent that isn’t so I would really appreciate it if you’d let it go. I’m trying hard to move on.”
August turned to face me, her expression pinched with concern. “I don’t mean to upset you.”
“I know you don’t. But I think the situation speaks volumes and I want to focus on moving forward, finding someone else and falling in love with them.”
She pursed her lips and opened her mouth like she wanted to rebut me.
“And that’s that. Let this old romantic find someone who actually wants to be romantic with me? Please?”
A look of defeat crossed her face before she nodded reluctantly.
“Thank you. Now, I’m heading to the arena and Charlie mentioned you were training tonight too? He’s taking Marshmallow there so do you want a lift?”
Her face lit up. “Yes please, we’re going to try him on the new circuit they’ve made there! Just give me five to tidy up.”
“Great, then afterwards, I’ll take you and Charlie for dinner.”
“Deal.”
We drove over to the arena, chatting away about how her barrel racer training was going. She was gearing up to compete in some bigger leagues. She’d been working hard and earning her reputation.
“I put it all down to my relationship with Marshmallow. We’re so bonded that it’s as though he can read my mind and knows what I need from him before I can even voice it.”
“I feel that. I have the same with the bulls sometimes.”
“Really?” she asked excitedly.
“Yes, I know exactly what they’re thinking. How hard can I throw this douchebag and how quickly can I gore him with my horns.”
August gasped then tutted at me. “You’re an idiot.”
I laughed. “I know, I’m just messing. I can see the relationship you have with Marshmallow, everyone can. It’s definitely special.”
When we made it to the arena, I parked up and went inside, parting ways with August. I changed in the locker room which was thankfully quiet on a Sunday and went to find my coach, Frank. I knew he’d be around here somewhere.
I headed out to the ring and spotted August trotting Marshmallow around the arena, dirt kicking up under his hooves. Charlie stood at the side of the ring watching her, with Frank and someone else who shouldn’t damn well be here.
I stalked over and glared down at her menacingly. “And what exactly do you think you’re doing here?”
“Well howdy, Cowboy,” Maddy sassed and flicked the brim of my Stetson, not intimidated by my intimidation one bit.
My pulse pounded just from looking at her; the mischievous glint in her eye, the lift of her lips as she smirked.
God, what this woman did to me. How the hell I didn’t just say fuck it and kiss her, I’ll never know.
But no matter how strong my feelings were, I wouldn’t let her wriggle out of this.
“What have I said about coming to watch me?”
“Check yourself before you wreck yourself. Wait, doesn’t the bull do that for you?” She laughed at her own joke and I rolled my eyes, trying to fight back my smile. “I ain’t here for you, I’m here for August,” she continued.
I narrowed my stare at her but she held firm. “Hmm, I’ll let you off.”
She clutched her chest. “How gracious of you.”
“You’re a real wiseass today, you know that?”
Maddy just grinned at me before spinning back to face the ring, placing one peach cowgirl boot on the metal rung of the gate and leaning her forearms on the top. I shook my head at her again and turned to Charlie.
“Hey, Charlie. What’s up?”
“I’ve been speaking to Frank, and we think there’s a spot opening soon on the Maximum Adrenaline tour.
It’s between you and Dustin and I’m working my ass off to make sure that spot is yours.
I don’t know what’s taking them so long to make a decision.
” He took off his black Stetson and ran his hand through his gray hair.
He looked tired, weary and I hated to think that it was my career that was stressing him out so much.
“Charlie, whatever happens will happen. You’ve done enough. You’ve done everything you can. I can take the reins from here. Me and Frank have been together long enough now that we know what to do.”
He put his hat back on. “I know that, but I made you a promise. And I intend to deliver.” With that he stalked off.
“Your dad is one stubborn sonofabitch,” I grumbled to Maddy.
She leaned back, staring up at me. “Don’t I know it!”
I fought every urge to reach out and grip her chin, tug her towards me and drop a kiss down on her lips.
My hands twitched to make the move and just then, a high-pitched whinny and a piercing shriek rang out around the arena.
My attention whipped to the ring and I watched as Marshmallow’s hoof slipped from under him and he went down, August crushed under his weight.
The hairs on the back of my neck went up at the sharp crack sound followed by August’s scream.
Maddy and I both hopped the gate, instantly rushing over, Charlie not far behind us.
“Help!” August screamed, tears streaming down her face.
Marshmallow tried to get to his feet but was struggling to move.
“August, honey, let go of the reins!” Charlie shouted as Marshmallow tried to stand again, pushing more weight onto August whose face paled and eyes rolled back.
“She’s in shock and can’t let go. Charlie, we need to move him, now!” I shouted over the noise. Charlie glanced between the horse and August but didn’t move to help.
Maddy ran round and grabbed Marshmallow’s reins, uncoiling them from August’s tight grip.
“Come on, boy. That’s it, get to your feet.” Realizing he was free now, Marshmallow pulled himself up. August cried out as he shifted and Maddy took him away, tethering him off.
“I can’t feel anything,” August said, her teeth chattering. She was laying at a weird angle, the leg that had been underneath Marshmallow was lying flat but somehow looked out of place.
“I’m calling an ambulance,” I turned away, phone in hand. Maddy knelt down beside August, holding her hand, her eyes flicking to Charlie who stood stock still, white as a sheet.
“They’re on their way,” I said a few moments later.
“Is Marshy okay?” August asked weakly, her entire body shaking from shock.
“Yeah, he’s fine, babe,” Maddy replied, stroking her auburn hair back from her face. She flicked her stare to Charlie again, frowning.
“Daddy?”
“Hmm?” Charlie jolted out of his stupor.
“Take her hand,” Maddy gritted out.
I knelt down next to Maddy, wanting to ease August somehow but was terrified. I didn’t want to touch her in case I hurt her more, she was lying so stiff. Something was broken, I could tell but I just didn’t know how much.
The paramedics eventually appeared and managed to get her onto a stretcher. I stood with Charlie while they spoke to him. They suspected a hip and leg fracture from the weight of Marshmallow falling on her. Charlie nodded but I could tell the information wasn’t going in. He was in shock.
Charlie went with the ambulance and I grabbed Maddy. “Come on, I’ll take you to the hospital.” She nodded and followed me out. We drove in silence, both of us too worried to think of conversation.
When we parked, I got out but noticed Maddy wasn’t following me.
“Mads?” I opened her door and unclicked her seatbelt. “Come on, Tough Girl. She’s from good, strong Cartwright stock, she’ll be fine. And if she’s not, we’re gonna get her fine.”
Maddy nodded, her eyes watery. “Is this what it was like when I was injured? The worry?”
“Yeah,” I replied. And a million fucking times worse because it was you.
“Daddy looked devastated.”
“Well, he will be. That’s his daughter, his baby girl.”
“He’s been through so much already. I don’t know how this is going to affect him.”
“Again, we’ll get him through it. We will.”
She nodded again and took my outstretched hand and together we went into the hospital.