“We ready to go?” I ask Cass as Dave turns, diaper bag slung over his shoulder, to head for his attached apartment. Years ago, he learned to shut the bar down when Wells Canyon has a rodeo—it’s not worth paying to keep the lights on when everyone in town is drinking in a makeshift space in a parking lot, built with livestock panels and a utility-shed-turned-bar.
“Just waiting for Shelb.”
I check my phone for the text message to let us know she’s on her way. “Hey, so…we’ve awkwardly skirted around the topic before, but I need to know. Is it going to be problematic for Shelby, Denver, and I to all be in the same place?”
Cass looks up at the shelves of liquor behind the bar with pursed lips. “Why would that be an issue?”
“Well…he and I dated. They hooked up at the rodeo last year…maybe even continuously after that?”
“Mmm. As far as I know, they didn’t hook up continuously. And I thought you were okay with it?”
Of course she thinks that, because I insisted I was fine approximately two hundred times after I found out and asked her to confirm the rumor. Not her fault she couldn’t tell there were tears in my eyes and my voice was squeaky through text messages.
“I am.” My nails drum on the bar top. “I just…I guess I wanted to know what I’m walking into.”
“You’re walking into nothing. I wouldn’t let you come if I thought there was even a chance you’d have to watch them flirt. Promise.” She crosses her heart. “And anyway, I can only think of one reason why you suddenly care so much about this a year later. Are you two…?” She gives me thelook.
“We are not. Forget I asked.”
“I get being mad at Shelby. I would be pissed if one of my best friends made out with my ex, too.”
“It’s not that. Her and I hardly even talk anymore, except when you’re asking us both to hang out, so she can do whatever she wants.”
It has nothing to do with Shelby, and everything to do with the way Denver kept looking at me last night.
“All I know for sure is that I saw them make out a full year ago. Shelby has since moved on with God knows how many people. And I can only assume the same is true for Denny. I’ve seen them in the same vicinity multiple times since then, and there was zero funny business. Not even a flirty comment or sideways glance.” She grabs my hand on top of the wooden bar and looks into my eyes. “Happy with that?”
My phone buzzes, and I immediately stand to leave. “Yeah, I’m good with that.”
—
Rum and Coke in hand, I settle onto the bench next to Cassidy and stare out at the dusty, sunbaked rodeo arena. AsShelby leans forward to clink her plastic cup against mine, her rhinestone cowboy hat catches the evening’s sunrays and cascades a scattered rainbow across our laps. “Blair, I’msohappy you moved back. We missed you.”
“I missed you guys, too.”
“The troublesome trio is back in action.” Shelby grins, raising her cup to her lips.
I don’t even remember exactly how Shelby ended up becoming friends with me and Cassidy. One day, shortly after she moved to town in high school, she sat down with us at lunch and the rest was history. Our duo became a trio without warning. While I’d still call her a friend, I’ll admit I haven’t put as much effort into staying close with Shelby like I have Cass over the years. In fact, aside from the occasional girls’ night when I was in town visiting my family, and the rare trio FaceTime, we stopped talking almost entirely after I moved away almost fourteen years ago.
“Back in action for approximately…three hours.” Cass flips her wrist to look at her watch. “Once the boobs start hurting, I’m out of here.”
“I’m out of here right alongside you,” I say before taking a long gulp, letting the strong drink burn its way down my throat.
“You guys suck.” Shelby scrunches her nose in disappointment.
Cass shakes her head with a small laugh. “I give it an hour before you’ve ditched us for a guy, anyway.”
“Fair point. Have you seen Wyatt lately?Damn.He moved back from college a whole-assman.”
“He’s like twenty-two. Basically a baby.” Cass flashes me a look that sayscan you believe this girl?And I smack my palm against my forehead because, yes, I absolutely can believe Shelby is into a guy a full decade younger than her.
“Whatever. Man enough.” Shelby takes a long swig as the rodeo announcer begins his introductions.
Considering the size of Wells Canyon, the rodeo crowds never cease to amaze me. Hosted semiregularly from April through October, you’d think people would get bored. But, with nothing else to do in town, everyone within an hour radius comes here.
I down the rest of my drink the moment women’s barrel racing starts. Eyes fixated on the riders, nitpicking their movements with Lucy’s voice filling my brain. I want so badly to look away before any tears fall, but I can’t, and I fucking hate it. Thankful for my large, dark sunglasses, I reach up and pretend to itch the side of my nose, dabbing at the dampness with the pad of my finger.
I knew from the moment I submitted my application for nursing school in Vancouver that I’d be giving up horseback riding. And I told myself it would be fine, because I’d visit the ranch on holidays and during summer break. School was temporary. When I was done, Denver and I would buy a house with enough property for our horses. Maybe we’d even live on Wells Ranch—build a house and have a family of our own.
