After he left, Presley leaned in slightly. "That just went out to about twenty people."
Our food arrived. I released her hand reluctantly, picked up my burger.
"Good," I said between bites. "That's the point."
Word would be all over town by dinner. Rhodes Foster and Presley Danforth. Together.
Mission accomplished.
THE AFTERNOON SESSIONSwent smoothly until three-thirty.
A tall girl arrived—seventeen, athletic build, long dark blonde hair. She moved with the confidence of someone comfortable in her own skin, but I could see the cracks. Tension in her shoulders. Shadows under her eyes.
"Hi, Miss Presley!" She stopped short when she saw me. "Oh. Sorry, I didn't realize you had company."
"Addie, this is Rhodes Foster. My boyfriend." Presley made the introduction smoothly. "Rhodes, this is Addison Clarke. She's competing in Teen Star Texas next Saturday."
"Nice to meet you, Addison."
The girl's eyes widened. "Rhodes Foster? Wait—THE Rhodes Foster who won the Junior Rodeo Championship? I've watched videos of your team roping online!"
Not the reaction I'd expected. "That was a long time ago."
"Still. You're kind of a legend." She turned to Presley, excitement barely contained despite whatever was weighing on her. "Miss Presley, can we talk? I need to ask you something important."
Presley gestured to the consultation area across the room. I stayed near the door, keeping watch but close enough to hear if something went wrong.
"I want to switch my talent," Addison said, the words tumbling out fast like she'd been holding them in too long. "From the dance to roping. I know the competition's in ten days and that's crazy, but I've been practicing for months and I'm actually pretty good at it now, and I just—I can't do the dance anymore, Miss Presley. I can't."
Presley's expression shifted—surprise, then concern. "Addie, honey. Your mom choreographed that dance. She's put months into it."
"I know." The girl's voice dropped. "And I've tried so hard to make it work. I can hit every single move exactly like she wants.Technically it's perfect. But when I'm doing it, I feel like I'm disappearing. Like I'm trying to be her instead of me."
She looked up, eyes bright. "When I'm roping, I feel like myself. Strong. Good at something that's actually mine. My brothers laughed when I asked them to teach me—said roping wasn't for girls. But my oldest brother felt bad about it later and showed me some basics in secret. I've been practicing since then, working on it whenever I can. It's the only thing that makes me feel real anymore."
The raw honesty in those words hit harder than it should have. Presley felt it too—I could see the way her whole body shifted toward the kid, protective instinct clear on her face.
"Ten days isn't much time," Presley said gently. "That's not enough to get competition-ready from hobby level. Are you sure about this?"
"I'm sure about not wanting to do the dance." Addison's voice cracked slightly. "I'm sure I can't go up on that stage and pretend to be someone I'm not. Not anymore. I know I'm asking a lot, but..." She turned to me, hope and nerves warring in her expression. "Would you maybe teach me, Mr. Foster? Get me competition-ready? Maybe Miss Presley could learn with me too?"
Presley didn't hesitate. "If Rhodes is willing, I'm in."
They both looked at me.
Teaching rope work with Presley. My hands correcting her form. Standing close enough to guide her.
My mind went places it shouldn't.
I looked at Presley. "When's good for you?"
She checked her phone. "Addie's scheduled tomorrow at three-thirty for interview prep. But she's already confident with interviews—we could use that time instead?"
"I've got a practice arena," I said. "I can work with both of you there, show you what you need to polish. About fifteen minutes outside town."
"We could drive out together," Presley said. "Drop you home after?"
"That would be perfect!" Addison's face lit up, then fell slightly. "But my mom... she's going to be so upset when she finds out."
