“I’ll have her call you,” I said, ending the call before I said something I would regret and end up with less sponsorship money and an even tighter fund for the season.
I looked for my wife’s number, finding it immediately and hitting call as I put my car into drive. The phone rang and rang, and just when I thought she was going to pick up, I got her voicemail. I left a message; It was the first of many calls and texts that I would leave. By the end of the week, my father was livid with me and Iris was on my shitlist, but a part of me couldn’t blame her either. It’s not like I had ever answered her calls.
My father threatened to pull my funding if I didn’t get what he needed, and even though I had no fucking time to take care of this, I had to go looking for my wife in some small-ass town in Colorado. It was a quick in-and-out errand and then I could be back in Texas in less than a week, back to preparing for the Rodeo season.
Iris Malone would not get in between me and my dream of the Championship. She was this timid woman I had to tie myself to, just to get there, and once I was financially free from my parents, our divorce would be the first thing mailed out. She was just a means to an end.
4
beau
The Boozy Banditwas what I pictured a small-town bar would look like. A jukebox sat in a corner, fluorescent signs hung all over the walls, country played in the background, but the mechanical bull was the best part of the entire bar. Riding it on New Year’s was the best and I wish I could do a show on it. I would make a killing on it.
I came to Sterling Ridge to get out of the city and evade my stalker, hoping he would lose interest. I was supposed to lie low, enjoy time off, do a cam or two while I was here, but I couldn’t resist the Boozy Bandit. The quaint bar called out to me and I had never done well with idle hands.
Nights were the best times to work. I was a night owl by nature, so it was easy to work late, and the weekend crowds were even better. Joe had let me get on the bull a few times, each ridewas better than the last as I got more comfortable on the bull. The only downside was some of my coworkers were not my biggest fans. I was no stranger to mean girls, but it helped having a familiar face here.
Iris was the sister of a friend of a friend. When I was here last time, we had talked a few times before I left, making workinghere more tolerable. She was sweet, a little shy, but that’s what made her adorable and so personable. A little part of me wanted Iris to get bolder and go a little wild.
“Beau, would you mind riding the bull twice today?” Joe asked, as I tied an apron around my waist.
“Yeah, I don’t mind doing it more times,” I said, wishing all I had to do was ride that damn thing.
“Great,Iris, I need you to make a better effort!” Joe yelled at Iris, who pursed her lips.
“Ok,” she said, adjusting her uniform.
“Joe, some of us can’t help it if we are shaped like two-by-fours,” Debbie said.
“My pockets are always full whether I stay on or don’t,” Iris said with a sweet smile. “At least I’m smarter?—”
“Can I go after Iris?” Sandy, another waitress asked, cutting off Iris.
I wished she had let her finish, if I had learned anything quickly it was that Joe favored a few girls and Iris was not one of them. Debbie glared at Iris with her cheap false lashes and bright pink eye shadow that wasn’t blended nearly enough.
“Yeah, that’s fine,” Joe said, preoccupied with his clipboard.
“Alright, it’s a Friday. Let’s make sure everyone always has a full drink. Keep smiling and let’s keep these customers happy,” he said, walking away.
It was only four in the afternoon and the bar was already getting the usuals coming in. The highway construction was where most of the men came from, but now that I had been here for over a week, I wondered if the crowd would change tonight. It had been years since I had been a server, so I only took care of two tables, lending a helping hand wherever the girls needed me or if Mindy needed things restocked.
Just after eight, the bar’s atmosphere changed. People came to drink, dance or ride the bull. I dropped off an order for Iris,who had picked up an extra table that had complained about Debbie. The sick satisfaction I got when they complained about her was amazing and Iris’ smug smile made it even better.
“Alright y’all, the next Bandit we have is Iris!” Joe yelled into the microphone.
A few men from her section yelled, making Iris blush beautifully. She chewed on her lip as she walked to the bull, and I had a wild idea that Joe might hate, but I needed to do something for Iris. She was so stiff on the bull, but I had seen her two-step before and she was surprisingly rhythmic.
Iris left her apron with Joe, hopping onto the bull awkwardly when I made my move. I jumped over the inflatable edge as the bull moved slowly, it dipped at the perfect time, allowing me to jump behind her.
Iris squealed, turning to look at me. “What the fuck are you doing, Beau?”
“Helping you,” I said. “Can I scoot closer and hold your hips?”
Women started yelling, and the bull hadn’t stopped, so I took that as a good sign.
“So, can I, Iris?” The bull dipped, pushing me forward.
I grabbed the reins keeping us both on, pressing closer to her.
