Page 83 of Colt
Nobody made a big deal out of it, because they all assumed it had to do with my injury. Except Gentry, who came by and had a conversation with me that was filled with thinly veiled threats.
Allison hasn’t said anything to him, I know that much. But it doesn’t mean he hasn’t picked up on the vibe.
Dallas and Sarah know, and I can feel Sarah’s disappointment every time I’m near her. Dallas has known me for too long to turn on me like that. It isn’t like Sarah hastotallyturned on me, and in fact, we’ve decided to go to the bull riding championships in Vegas together.
I’m not sure that I should go. I don’t know if it’s going to push me over the edge or not. But it’s something I feel compelled to do. Like I have to sit there and watch this thing get taken away from me so that I can really…
I want to be able to win still. I want pretty damned badly.
“You didn’t have to come,” Dallas says as we take our seats.
“I did,” I say. Though I don’t expand on it. I just know that I had to.
I don’t really know why. Maverick is in the final, so even though it’s not as personal for Dallas, he is kind of hate watching. We just all hate that guy.
We’ve got great seats, and when I look down toward the walkway, I see a familiar face.
“It’s Stella,” I say.
I’m surprised to see Stella at an exclusively bull-riding event. Especially since neither Dallas nor I is in the final. Which is maybe… I don’t know, a little bit egotistical. But still. Barrel racing is her thing, and we are her best friends outside of that.
Sarah stands up and immediately starts waving. She only met Stella once, as far as I’m aware. But of course she recognizes her. Stella is pretty memorable. A tough-as-nails rodeo rider. If she had been a man, and the path had been clear to be a bull rider, she would’ve been a damn good one.
She makes a beeline toward where we are in the stands. She walks a couple of steps up, and stands next to the empty chair beside us. It will be filled soon. The event is sold out. But we are early, and everyone is still milling around.
“You guys have no idea how weird it is to not have you haunting me all year.”
Dallas stands and gives her a hug. I stand too, even if a little more slowly. I’m totally off crutches now, doing well, but I’m definitely experiencing effects. I can feel the weather in my bones, and I can’t say I had that skill before.
But I feel like the outlook is good.
At least for my body.
The outlook for my heart is another matter.
My fault. I know it is. My fault that I screwed things up with her. That I couldn’t say yes. I feel like I proved everything thatI always believed about myself. Going back to her wouldn’t even be doing her a favor.
“You look rough, buddy,” Stella says, coming in for a hug. “I love you anyway, though.”
“Thanks.”
“I didn’t expect you here.”
“I didn’t expect you here,” I say.
Her face goes red. I know I didn’t imagine it.
“Oh,” I say. “You’re here with someone. Or for someone.”
She clears her throat. “Not really.”
“I don’t believe that,” Dallas says.
Sarah is looking between us, keen.
“Are you on a date with Alexandra Bella?” She’s the reigning rodeo queen, and I’ve never been able to get a read on Stella’s preferences, so it’s as logical as anything else.
She laughs. “I almost wish, Colt. She seems like a good time.”
