“Sim.” His belly snarled again and he patted it. “When I am home for the break, I will eat good.”
“You should not let your belly get so empty,doce.It’s not healthy.” Balta popped the lid of the cooler. “Have a water, huh?”
“Obrigado.”
Doce.
The name made his cheeks feel hot.
“No problem.” Balta got a water, too, drinking deep. “You think we’ll get a good draw?”
He nodded. He’d ridden two and was feeling strong. He could handle anything today. Any bull. And Balta? Well, with Balta them bulls didn’t matter a bit, not really.
It was all in Balta’s head. The man could ride any bull there was. He just had to believe it, and some days, Balta didn’t think it was true.
“I will ride today, I think. Make some money.” If not, he’d made some already.
“Good. I think I will, too?” Scratching his belly, Balta resettled in his seat, happy. Smiling.
“Mm-hmm. I think Sam takes the event, though. Or Beau.” Sam needed the ride.
“I hope Sammy. Beau is on a roll, though.” Sammy’s head had recovered, and the man was riding some. Joa and Balta chatted until it was time to pull off and find some food. Even Balta’s tummy was rumbling.
They settled on the IHOP—eggs and bacon and pancakes and juice and coffee…
Hash browns. There were hash browns, too. Balta could eat.
By the time they were done, Joa was swollen, full like a tick. Good thing there was time until he rode.
“Oh. I shouldn’t have finished your chocolate chip pancakes.” Balta groaning, patting his belly.
“You got chocolate on your lip, Balta.”
“Do I?” Balta glanced around, and Joa could almost see the disappointment when there were people in view. Balta licked it off. Slowly.
Joa groaned, buried his face in his coffee cup. So fine.
“Are you all right,doce?” Balta’s foot nudged his under the table.
“Uh-huh. Good. Real good.”
“Me too, huh? I feel like it’s a good, good day.”
Joa grinned. That was a good sign, wasn’t it? When Balta was feeling good, the world turned better. He believed that with all he was.
“We should make sure the hotel has a pool, huh? Take a swim.”
He nodded. He liked the water, almost as much as working out. “And a gym.”
He needed his workout.
“Sim. And a buffet. I want breakfast omelet in the morning.” Balta loved those silly omelet stations, and to his credit, he always got lots of vegetables. And fruit. Watching Balta eat pineapple was a great joy.
“Sim, Balta.” He was a waffle man himself.
“And one of those waffle makers for you.”
He had to laugh, because Balta noticed everything.
