CHAPTER 2 #3
It was good of Johnny to stay the whole time and watch, and when Taylor dismounted, Johnny stretched out a hand for a high-five, which she enthusiastically gave. As she untacked Saint, Johnny and Victor stood off to the side and waited for her request for help.
“Ain’t every day I see a man giving kids lessons,” Johnny said, hands shoved in his pockets. “You’re good with kids.”
“I like kids,” Victor said before realizing this was something men probably shouldn’t say.
So many parts of his transition had felt amazing, but the sudden suspicion people had over his enjoyment of children was devastating.
He’d loved giving lessons before anyone had a problem with it.
He did like kids, and growing up he’d always wanted some of his own.
“I ain’t good with children, but me and Taylor get along just fine. Don’t we, Tay?”
“What?” Taylor asked, immersed in her work.
Johnny chuckled. “She didn’t shut up the whole way over here, she was so excited to ride a new horse.”
“You talk all the time, too,” Taylor shot back. So she was listening.
“I think next time I’m going to put her on a slightly less lazy horse,” Victor mused. “How about a stallion, what do you think about that?”
Taylor whipped around with a grin. “A stallion? Where!?”
Victor led her away from Saint, who was happy to doze in his crossties, and toward the end of the barn, where the biggest stall was reserved for Blitz, Victor’s 19-year-old Quarter Horse stallion.
Victor had won a lot of money and trophies with this horse, and while he didn’t get ridden much anymore, he was still making Victor some money through stud fees.
Cyclone was out of Blitz, and from what Victor had heard from clients, all of Blitz’s babies were good, reliable workers with temperaments sweet as candy, which was exactly how he’d describe Blitz.
Most people were astonished to learn he was a stallion, because he only ever acted like one when it was his job to.
“Aw, he’s so pretty!” Taylor exclaimed, reaching out to stroke his wide blaze. Blitz nuzzled her like the flirt that he was. He’d never met a human hand he wouldn’t thoroughly search for goodies.
“His name is Blitz.” Victor reached out to twist Blitz’s long red forelock. Blitz’s mane grew past his chest, one of his many good features.
“I can ride him?” Taylor asked, agape.
“Hmm, we’ll see.”
“I want to. Please?”
“Look what you’ve done,” Johnny said with a hint of a chuckle. “Now she’ll never shut up about it.”
“Maybe next lesson,” Victor promised.
Johnny placed a heavy hand on top of Taylor’s head as a way to draw her back, then placed her discarded cowboy hat on it. “Why don’t you go and sit in the car while I pay the guy?”
“I wanna stay and pet all the horses.”
“Yeah, if it were up to you you’d be here day, noon and night petting the goddamn horses.” With a roll of his eyes, Johnny pointed. “Now go sit in the truck.”
Dejected, Taylor walked off. Johnny dug his hand into his back pocket, which seemed to be a feat, considering how tight his jeans were.
“Alright, what do I owe you?”
“Fifty-five is fine.”
Johnny proffered the bills, and Victor took them. Then they walked to the edge of the barn, pausing at the end of the aisle and looking out across the driveway to where Taylor was climbing into the truck.
“So how long you been here?” Johnny asked. “Since movin’ from California, I mean.”
“A little under a year.”
“You made any friends?”
“Is there a reason you’re asking me?”
“I don’t know from experience, but I figure it’s hard to be the new kid at school, ‘specially in a tiny place like this. I’m gonna be at a little rodeo over yonder at Pickitty this weekend and I’ll be going with a few of my buddies, so I wasn’t sure if you’d be interested in tagging along.”
Victor had no clue people actually said over yonder, but once he got over that, he was still speechless.
Almost a year living here had taught him that he had very little in common with many of the locals, especially the men.
He was a country boy, sure, but he wasn’t that country, and the ultra-religious conservative streak that ran through most of the men wasn’t one he cared to subject himself to.
Add that to his natural introversion and Johnny’s offer seemed even less attractive.
Still, it was very nice of Johnny to ask, and Victor felt obligated to acquiesce just to show his appreciation.
“Would I just be watching?” Victor asked.
Johnny laughed. “You think we’re gonna put you on a bull?”
“If you do, make sure it’s a very small one. Preferably one I can ride with my feet still on the ground.”
“Sure, we’ll put you on a sheep like the little boys,” Johnny chuckled. “Nah, we’d just be watchin’.”
“Okay, sure. I’ll go.”
Johnny clapped him once between the shoulders with a flat hand, nearly knocking Victor over. “Good to hear it! I’ll come pick you up. I’ll text you the time.”
“Can’t wait.”
“Don’t sound so excited,” Johnny replied with a fleeting wink before stalking off.
He threw open the truck door, gave Victor one last wave, then folded his long legs into the truck.
Through his open window, Victor heard him say something to Taylor, and Taylor climbed over his lap to wave, flashing Victor a giant grin before Johnny shoved her back into her seat and drove off.