Epilogue
William Andino, Six Months Later
T he energy in the arena is high, excitement buzzing all around. Sitting in the stands with my father to my right, Max and Trish to my left, we wait anxiously for the bull riding section of the night to begin. It’s night one of Stampede Days, and the one-year anniversary of Colt’s accident. He’s had an amazing season so far, all things considered. It was a bit of a slow go at first, but he’s gotten some great scores over the last few rodeos.
I’ve been able to go to almost every event he’s competed in that’s within driving distance. Watching him in his element has been nothing short of mesmerizing. He was so nervous about not being able to heal in time, so getting to watch him do everything I knew he’d be able to do has been rewarding. The pride I feel for him is immense.
The announcer booms over the loudspeaker, and my pulse kicks up a notch. “Here we go,” I murmur, nudging Max with my elbow. He grins, meeting my gaze as the man introduces Colt. Trish claps her hands, a wide smile on her face, even though she’s nervous. Despite his great season so far, I think it’s natural for Trish, as his mother, to be uneasy about him competing in the same event that hurt him just last year.
Heart beating a mile a minute and my palms sweaty, I watch Colt drop onto the back of the bull behind the bucking chute. Even from all the way over here, I can see his confidence. He exudes it in waves. Getting his hand just right, and making sure the rope is tightened, he nods, raising his other hand in the air as the gate gets ripped open.
The angry bull shoots out of the gate, bucking, kicking, and spinning, all the while Colt takes every last bit of it, never faltering. He rides the motion like a wave, almost like he’s expecting every single move from the beast. Just like his father, Colt is a natural. He was made to do this, and it shows. The buzzer sounds, and I’m up off the bleachers without a second thought, clapping loudly and cheering, so fucking proud of him. Beside me, his parents are on their feet, clapping joyously too, as is my father. Before he’s ushered out of the arena, he looks in our direction, a proud smile bursting across his face.
After the rodeo ends, we all meet Colt behind the arena. He’s still wearing all his gear, and he looks damn good in it, but no surprise, he’s swapped out his cowboy hat for the baseball hat I got him for Christmas. Trish pulls him in for a hug first.
“Honey, you did so good!” she gushes, pulling back and cupping his face in her hands. “I’m so dang proud of you.”
He chuckles. “Thanks, Mom.”
“You really showed that bull who’s boss,” my dad chimes in. “You did incredible, Colt.”
Colt pulls him in for a hug. “Thanks, Roger.”
My chest warms every single time I see the love between them. My dad has welcomed Colt into our home with open arms, and their bond has done nothing but flourish since Colt moved in all those months ago. Sure, they gang up on me more often than not, and they’re both harping on me to get a second dog for Winnie to play with, but seeing my dad so happy all the time makes my heart sing. There was always a little part of me that was worried about Colt moving in. Worried that maybe he’d get sick of living with my dad, or maybe they wouldn’t always see eye to eye under the same roof, but it’s been nothing like that. It’s like Colt was always meant to come in and be part of our family.
“Proud of you, son,” Max grunts, wrapping his arms around him in a big bear hug.
Their relationship has gotten so much better over the last six months. Same with mine and Max’s. The first few months, things were awkward, and it felt almost like walking on eggshells, but I’d like to think Max has gotten used to the idea of Colt and me because it doesn’t seem to bother him at all anymore. Sunday dinners are back to being a weekly thing, and Max and I even hang out by ourselves again. It’s been nice, getting to have my friend but also the man I love.
Colt glances at me, lips curved up, eyes shimmering. “You kicked ass out there,” I murmur, wrapping a hand around the back of his neck and hauling him into me. “So fucking proud of you.”
“Thanks, Doc,” he breathes before crashing his mouth into mine.
“Alright, you two,” Max grumbles, and both of us choke out a laugh.
“Jeez, Dad,” Colt calls out, smirking. “What a fucking cock?—”
“Don’t even think of finishing that sentence,” Max cuts in, and I can’t help but chuckle.
Trish laughs, rubbing Max’s arm. “That’s enough. Come on, you guys. I baked a cake. Let’s all go back to our place, and we can have some to celebrate.”
Arm around Colt’s shoulder, we all walk toward the parking lot. Max and Trish drove themselves, while my dad, Colt, and I took my car. The drive to their house takes about ten minutes, and the entire time I’m alternating my gaze from the road to Colt in the backseat. Whenever my father comes with us anywhere, Colt refuses to sit shotgun. He and I both know climbing in and out of the backseat is hard for my dad with his hip. The space is too small, but he'll never admit it or speak up. So instead, Colt insists he’d rather sit in the backseat.
His heart is so big and so warm, and he’s so full of love. There’s so much more to Colt than what meets the eye. Sure, he’s cocky, sarcastic, and not afraid to say exactly what’s on his mind, but he’s also loyal as hell and one of the most caring people I’ve ever met.
If somebody would’ve told me when I made the decision to move back to Copper Lake that I’d end up not only dating my best friend’s son, but that I would be so deeply in love with him, I would think they lost their mind. This is not at all how I envisioned my life ending up when I came back here, but I can’t imagine it any other way.
Pulling into Max’s driveway, I put the car in park and turn off the ignition. Climbing out, my dad tosses me a look over the hood of the car. “I’ll meet you boys inside. Try to keep your clothes on.” He winks at us as Colt breathes out a laugh, and then he disappears into the house.
Without a second thought, I pull Colt into my arms, his wrapping automatically around my middle. He smells like dirt and cattle and slightly like sweat, but I don’t care.
“Have I told you lately how proud I am of you?”
Lips tipping up, he breathes out a contented sigh. “I could always hear it again.”
Closing the distance, I press my lips to his, kissing him slowly. I slip my tongue past his parted lips, rolling against his, savoring the flavor of him. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of kissing Colt Bishop.
“Look at how far you’ve come in the last year,” I tell him, forehead resting against his. “This time last year, you were having surgery, and now you’re kicking ass in the arena. I’m constantly amazed by you, Colt. I don’t think you even realize how spectacular you are.”
His eyes are glassy as he watches me. “Aw, getting soft on me, Doc?” he teases, but I know he’s feeling just as much emotion as I am. It’s written all over his face.
“I’m serious. I’m so lucky you’re mine.”
“Are you kidding?” he murmurs. “I’m the lucky one.”
“I love you, Colt.”
“And I love you, William.”
The End