“Awesome! I’ll pick you up around eight-ish,” Riley tells me, then turns to Diesel. “You need a ride too?”
“Nah, man, I’m gonna stay until close to hang out with your sister.” He elbows him. Riley lets out a groan. A roar of laughter escapes Diesel, and I can tell he’s getting a kick out of rubbing this in his best friend’s face.
“I’m probably only going to stay for a drink, then go home, if that’s cool with you,” he tells me.
“That’s fine. I gotta be up early for work in the morning anyway.”
“See,” Riley says with a finger to his chest. “Some of us are responsible adults.”
Diesel laughs. “I’m responsible, ask my girlfriend.”
Riley’s ready to punch him in the face but doesn’t. I tell them both goodbye and get in the truck and leave. I replay my day, and I realize I’m tired. By the time I walk up the steps and enter the cabin, I’m more than ready to wash off the sweat of the day.
I’m not used to being here yet, but I’m sure it will eventually feel like home. On the walls are photographs of horses and fences, rolling hills and old tractors. The décor is exactly what one would expect to see on a ranch. I go to my bedroom, grab some clothes, then take a shower.
By the time I’m finished, I still have a few hours before Riley arrives. I could have driven myself, but he’s not staying that long anyway, so it’s not a big deal. My eyes are tired, and I end up falling asleep on the couch until knocks tap on the door. I get up, and Riley’s standing there with a smile. “Ready?”
“Yep,” I tell him, grabbing my keys and walking out with him.
We drive over to the saloon, and Maize comes to mind. She was drinking her worries away, looking so goddamn gorgeous. I’m tempted to ask Riley if he knows her since this is a small town, but I don’t. If we’re meant to see each other again, we will.
“So how’d you end up here, considering you used to ride professionally?” he asks on the way.
“After I won a few championships, I was ready to get out of Houston. Eldorado seemed like the perfect place to settle down and not be in the hustle or bustle of a big city. It's the exact opposite of what I’m used to, and I love training horses.”
“Oh, so you’re from Houston. I didn’t realize people were into riding and stuff there,” he admits.
A lot of people think that, especially if they don’t know the landscape.
“My parents live on the outskirts, not downtown or anything. But yeah, there’s a lot of riding that goes on, and the Houston Rodeo is one of the biggest in Texas. It’s a popular thing to do. When I watched the bull riders there as a kid, I immediately knew that’s what I wanted to do when I grew up. Plus, I’m somewhat of an adrenaline junkie.”
Riley laughs. “You’d have to be to get on the back of one of those animals.”
We pull into the parking lot, and a small smile touches my lips when we walk inside.
“Looks like Diesel’s already here,” Riley mutters as we walk toward the bar. He’s chatting with people, but Riley interrupts him. “Uh…anyway.” He clears his throat. “This is Gavin. He’ll be working with Jackson training horses.”
Kenzie’s eyes go wide, and recognition flashes behind them. I wonder if she remembers me from the bar that night, but she doesn’t say a word. Neither do I. My heart races, and I wonder if Maize is here too.
I meet Rowan, and when I turn my head, I see Maize sitting there as pretty as ever. I have so many damn questions I can barely contain myself.
“This is my other cousin, Maize. She’s the cook at the B&B.”
I smirk, realizing I was eating her food this morning. “Ooh, the one who makes the amazing pancakes.”
Maize slightly turns to shake my hand, and that’s when she sees me. She blinks hard, as if she expects me to disappear. I wish she’d say something, and I open my mouth, but Rowan interrupts me, thankfully. There are too many people around to ask her what the hell happened that night.
“So, Gavin, where’re you from?” Rowan asks, moving the conversation away from Maize, who’s acting awkward as hell.
“Houston. But I’ve traveled a lot in the past twelve years or so. I’ve been all over the state.”
“Gavin’s a retired bull rider,” Riley explains. “Trains riders now on the side.”
“Oh my God,” Kenzie gushes in the same tone she did the night I first met her. “That is so cool. I would love to see you ride.”
I’m well aware of her personality and how she acts, and I smile at her. She has to remember me.