Page 40 of Catch Me, Cowboy
Which was a better opening than which hospital are you in now? If his brother was in the hospital, he’d find out soon enough.
“Nothing good, that’s for sure. If things don’t turn around, I’ll lose all hope of making decent money on this tour.”
The tour being the International Bull Rider’s Tour. Austin had truly hit the big time and he was all about going all the way.
“How badly beat up are you?”
“That’s just it. I’m in better shape than usual.”
“Has Dad been talking to you?”
“Only when I answer his calls.” Austin hadn’t been under the pressure to succeed that Ty had been at a young age. But once the old man had realized his younger son was quite possibly going to go as far or farther than his eldest, he’d started pushing Austin as hard as he’d pushed Ty.
“Are you calling for a pep talk?”
“Naw. Just to talk. Lonely on the road, you know.”
“Where’s your bevy of buckle bunnies?”
“Are you going to think there’s something wrong with me if I say that I’m kind of finding them boring?”
Ty smiled a little and tucked a hand behind his head. “You’re starting to sound like a jaded rock star.”
“There are nights I feel like one. Haveyoubeen answering Dad’s calls?”
“I have not.” Because his dad was still all about him trying a comeback, and now that he was, he didn’t want the old man to get wind of it. Not until he knew how things would work out.
“I have. Got me a nice little pep talk about the attributes of being a winner last night.” He paused, then said, “He knows you’re in Marietta. Someone there must have ratted you out. He pumped me for info.”
“And you told him…?”
“You were looking to settle down post career. Not the right answer, by the way. He still doesn’t believe you’re truly retired.”
“Continue to stonewall.” Because Ty wasn’t sharing this comeback ride with his dad.
If Ty failed, it was on him. If he rode well… it was for him. His father had driven him fucking crazy his last year, his first losing season after two championships, and had been crushed by the accident that had literally crushed his son.
“I have and I will. I know Dad means well, but I don’t think he knows the stress he causes.” Austin paused. “I kind of feel sorry for him.”
Ty had felt that way for a long time. Irritated that his father wanted to control his professional life and sorry he hadn’t had his own professional life to manage.
“Have you seen Shelby yet?”
Oh, yeah. Seen her. Had a fight with her. “Working on her place.”
His brother laughed. “No shit? How’d that come about?”
“Les needed help.”
“So are you guys…?”
Ty gave a scoffing laugh. “Hardly.”
“You’re just… working there.”
“Yep.” Ty debated.
He and Austin rarely bared their souls with one another. Instead they just kind of understood what was going on in each other’s lives. But right now he felt like talking, even though he didn’t.
