Monroe
“You got everything?”
“I think so.” I sweep my eyes over Rhett’s bedroom and bathroom to make sure I didn’t leave anything.
With my bag and purse in my hands and Duke and Diesel at my heels, I load my things into the truck. Rhett’s phone rings. He digs it out of his pocket and looks at the screen.
“I’ve gotta take this.”
“We’re in no hurry,” I say, bending down to grab the ball Duke dropped at my feet. “Take your time.”
Rhett answers his phone and walks back into the house.
I toss the ball for Duke until he wears out and plops down in the grass. The minutes tick by, and finally curiosity gets the best of me. I go in search of Rhett.
As soon as I shut the front door, I hear his voice coming down the hall. The words I’ve dreaded hearing stop me in my tracks.
“Yes, you can count on me to be there, and I’ll accept the bonus ride… I’m sure… No, I don’t need to talk it over with anyone. Nikki no longer works for me… All right, that’s perfect… Thank you, sir. I’ll see you soon.”
With his phone in his hand, Rhett rounds the corner and stops at the sight of me. “How much of that did you hear?”
“Enough to know you’re riding this weekend, and you accepted another bonus ride. I also heard you say you didn’t need to talk it over with anyone.” My voices rises with each word, heat infusing my cheeks. “But what about me?”
Rhett straightens his back, his jaw set in a firm line, his eyes trained on something over my shoulder. “Come on, Mo. You knew this was going to happen. I’ve made it clear that I’m going back to work, and the sooner the better.”
“Would you at least look at me?”
His eyes find mine.
“I understand that this is your job, but I don’t like this—I’ve never liked this. When we were younger, I always stepped back and let you take the lead. Bull riding was something you loved, and who was I to stop you? I hope things will be different now, and if I’m going to be part of your life, I’d like to have some input.”
“But this is my life, and if all you’re going to do is fight me, that’s not being part of it.”
“I’m not trying to fight you—that isn’t what this is about. But seeing what my dad has gone through has put things in perspective. I see life for what it is—short, unpredictable, and precious.”
“I understand that. Why do you think I’m trying to live it doing what I love?”
“Like you said earlier, I’m just looking out for you, Rhett. I don’t want to see you get hurt—or worse, killed. I know you don’t want to hear it, but I think you should at least think through what Dr. Wong and Dr. Pine said today.”
“I heard them, Mo. But don’t you see? It’s no different than you doing whatever you had to do to take care of your dad. He was your life. This is my life.”
“What about us, Rhett? Am I not a part of your life? Does my opinion not matter?”
“You’re turning my words around. You are part of my life, and yes, your opinion means everything to me, but I was a bull rider when you started dating me the first time. I was a bull rider when you got back with me, and nothing has changed, Mo. This is who I am.”
“And I accept that. I love that you have something you love, but did you not listen to a word your doctors said? You’re not making informed decisions; you’re reacting. Your shoulder is fragile. The wrong move could result in a complete tear and then what? Surgery and months of rehab, and if you’re lucky you’ll get back on the bull. And that’s if you don’t get another head injury first.”
“Jesus Christ, Monroe.”
I hate that he uses my full name. It feels cold and final.
“I’m not trying to get you to give up. I’m just trying to preserve your future—a future I plan to be a part of, and I want you whole. I want you to carry me over the threshold someday and toss our kids in the air. Most of all, Rhett, I want you alive. If you’re not here and breathing, you might as well put me on the bull too, because I won’t survive being apart from you again.”
“If you don’t want me to give up, what is it you want me to do?”
“I want you to make sure you’re ready to go back. I don’t want you to rush yourself or push yourself and injure your shoulder more. I don’t want you to take bonus risks you don’t have to. And maybe you could look into a helmet—I’ve seen some of the newer guys wearing them.”
“I’m not wearing a damn helmet.”