Chasin' Eight (Rough Riders 11)

“Yes. You’re officially back on the PBR roster and scheduled to compete in Wichita next weekend.”

“No kiddin’? That’s great.” He allowed a tight laugh. “I was getting worried. No word from the powers that be. And then, I’ve, ah, been in the press the last few days a little more than you’d like, I’m sure.”

“To be honest, the coverage of you and Miz Cooper weighed in your favor for a change.”

Talk about a shocker. “It did? Why?”

“Because you’re finally with a woman who’s newsworthy in her own right, and not by virtue of her association with you.”

“Did that make sense in your head before you said it? ’Cause that didn’t make a lick of sense on my end.”

Elroy laughed. “You two are a match made in PR heaven. Even though some tabloid rags are claiming your whole relationship is a publicity stunt.” Elroy paused. “Is it?”

“No. And here’s fair warning: that is not a topic of discussion. With you. Or anyone else.”

“Never thought I’d be happy to hear you say ‘no comment’ and mean it. Warms the cockles of my cold PR heart, McKay.”

“You’re a riot. What else?”

“The PBR is picking up your transportation expenses. You’re in New York now?”

“Yeah.”

“I can’t get you to Wichita directly—”

“Book me into Omaha. I left my truck there. I’ll drive to Wichita.”

“Done. What day you wanna leave?”

“Today. As soon as possible.”

Ava stared at him with shock.

“The event isn’t for another couple days.”

“I’m aware of that. But there are other things I need to take care of first.”

Elroy sighed. “Fine. Contact me when you get to Kansas. And I don’t gotta remind you no press unless you’re escorted by a PBR media liaison.”

“I get it. I’ll keep in touch.”

“Good.” Elroy hung up.

Chase returned to the bedroom and picked up his bag.

“You’re leaving? Just like that?”

“Yep.”

“No discussion. No yelling, no hashing it out?”

“What is there to hash out? You knew I’d be gone the second the PBR called me back. Getting my bull ridin’ mojo back was the only reason we were even traveling together.” Chase held out his bag. “This is my life, Ava. Not this.” He gestured to the fancy digs surrounding them.

“You told me there were more important things in life than being a bull rider.”

Chase looked her in the eye and said, “I lied.”

Although it pained him, he shouldered his equipment bag and walked out.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ava had been mindlessly staring out the window, crying and wallowing in self-recrimination, when her phone buzzed. Hoping it’d be Chase, she answered without checking the caller ID. “Hello.”

“Ava Cooper?”

“Yes. Who is this?”

“I’m calling on behalf of Nina Beal, senior VP of Montieth Associates. Nina is requesting an in-person meeting with you regarding a possible audition for a new sitcom slated to start production next week.”

Why were they calling her directly? “This request was approved through my agency?”

“Marnie Driscoll was contacted and gave us this number.”

This was Marnie’s way of giving Ava full responsibility for declining the audition. “What is the in-place date for the meeting?”

“Thursday. One o’clock. At the Burbank office.”

Looked like she’d be home sooner than she’d planned. “That will work.”

“Good. We look forward to seeing you then, Miss Cooper.”

A casting call. For a new sitcom. She could throw herself into familiar work for the next year and put this summer behind her. Chase had been right about one thing, they both needed to get back to their real lives. And for her, that mean a major overhaul of the way she’d been living. She intended to make changes across the board and start with a clean slate. In both her professional and personal life.

She blew her nose and hoped she didn’t sound as if she’d spent the last two hours bawling when she dialed her parent’s home number.

“And to what do I owe the pleasure of a phone call from my beautiful daughter?”

“Heya, Dad. I just wanted to talk. I know it seems like the only time I call you is when I want something.”

“Do you want something?”

“No. Well, maybe. I want to ask you a question.”

“Shoot.”

“Does it bug you that I don’t take an interest in Dumond Racing? That every time you’ve asked me in the past decade to come to a race or hang out at an event I’ve said no?”

Silence. Then, “I know you’re busy.”

“That’s not an answer. Be honest.”

“Okay, as long as you asked, yeah, it does bug the crap out of me. It’s almost like you’re embarrassed that your dad is a former grease monkey.”

“I’m not embarrassed. God, I’m embarrassed for myself for being so oblivious to anyone’s feelings but my own. You raised me better than that.”

“No kidding.” He paused again. “Ava, what is this really about?”

His voice was so soft and gentle, more tears fell. “I’ve had a lot of time to think over the past couple months. I’ve watched my…friend come to terms with family issues and I saw a lot of myself in him. I realized I haven’t been a good daughter, or a good sister, or even a halfway decent supporter of Dumond Racing. I’m so mired in my own stupid, petty problems that I’ve let important things slide. Important people.” She sniffled. “You are important to me Dad, and I love you. And I’m sorry for acting like such a brat. But I can change. I want to change.” She took a deep breath. “Can you forgive me?”

“Of course. And I will let you make it up to me in two weeks when you attend the Dumond Racing Team trials at Breakwater Speedway. I’ll warn ya. Lots of media. Oh, and your brother is in charge.”

“I can handle it. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Good. Although, in all fairness, I’ve gotta point out that you ignore your mother’s business just as much as you do mine.”

Ava laughed. “Well, she’s next on the apology chain.”

“I’m right here, sweetie, so there’s no need to go through this twice.”