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I let my body collapse further into the lounge chair. “Yeah, I just don’t like not knowing.”
“Valid.” She pauses, waiting for me to say something else before prompting, “So, what happened then? I’m guessing it’s something.”
My mind wanders to thinking about the fun Bex and I had down by the river and later that night, how they tied me up and made me into a writhing mess.
“Oh yeah. Something definitely happened.” I smirk.
I tell Selene everything, well . . . most everything, about both times with Bex and Alvie’s involvement in the time with all three of us. Selene is completely absorbed in the details, drinking down every sip of tea that I give her.
“Damn, girl. I knew they were naughty, but you’ve been holding out on me!” she says enthusiastically. “Would have loved to see all that . . . or joined in.” She winks, and I blush at the insinuation.
“I don’t need to, but I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand your situation with Gunnar. That’s just so . . . well, I just don’t know much about all these relationship dynamics. It’s weird.”
“It’s not weird,” she says defensively.
“Oh! No, not weird like that. I just . . . I’m out of my depths, and that feels weird,” I explain quickly, and she softens.
“Maybe look into it more, especially with whatever is going on with Bex and Alvie. You’re technically in a poly relationship of some kind with them. It might help to clarify boundaries if you know more about how different poly dynamics work,” she suggests.
“You’re totally right.”
“Just think of it as another research project!” she encourages gleefully, knowing how much I love research.
Two staff members come in, interrupting my and Selene’s very necessary conversation, to lead us back for our massages.
The next hour and a half are pure bliss, and I’m grateful for the strong hands that help work out the knots and tense muscles in my body.
By the time we’re done with our spa day and off to get gelato, we are fully talked out and caught up, like we hadn’t dropped off each other’s map for a week. And on the way, Selene and I belt out to her playlist of, and I quote, The Cuntiest Songs.
Alvie told me that the Houston rodeo is the largest in the country, but seeing as I’m not a native Texan, I really wasn’t prepared for the reality of the event.
We arrive at the venue, which is not just a regular stadium like I thought but a whole expanse of parkland that houses everything including the stadium, an event space, exhibit space, and, of course, the Astrodome. All of this is surrounded by park grounds where vendors, booths, wine gardens, and a whole carnival are set up.
Everywhere I look are people dressed up in various combinations of denim, boots, and cowboy hats, and suddenly I’m grateful for all the time Selene made us put into getting ready.
I ended up in a cropped corset top with floral embroidery decorating the boning channels and a pair of jean shorts that are far too short to be respectable but make me feel hot as hell. The outfit is paired with the fashionable boots Alvie refused to let me wear on the ranch. My hair is curled into perfect waves, my front wispies braided back and adorned with floral hair pins. Selene immaculately made up my face and somehow managed the miracle of getting my eyeliner perfectly winged and even.
Selene is decked out in an all-pink outfit which is just as glitzy and glamorous as Mrs. Dolly Parton herself. Her metallic pink boots, which we picked up on our shopping trip when she visited me, are the statement piece of her outfit and add a bit of sparkle to the softness of her pastel-pink, off-the-shoulder style top and deep-rose jean skirt.
I can’t keep my eyes off Bex, though, who looks like a goddess in a plain white T-shirt with a lacey black bralette peeking through the sheer fabric. With her light washed jeans, she’s paired a belt, with what I learn is one of Alvie’s Championship buckles, and her scuffed up riding boots. Her hair is down in natural waves from taking it out of her messy bun. She’s applied light mascara, blush, and a lip tint, which only accentuate her natural, glowy appearance.
Easy enough to say that we took the boys’ breaths away when we came downstairs to head out.
After we’ve toured the majority of the rodeo’s offerings, Alvie’s status as a board member gets us into a private box that’s reserved for donors and competitors, which has an amazing view of the entire stadium.
Alvie and Gunnar get us settled, complete with our own private buffet and bartender, and then Alvie goes off to fulfill whatever obligations he has to the event.
Bex explains to us that tonight are the first of two Wild Card events leading up to the Championship, which means we are seeing the best of the best.
The events pass by quickly, and Bex patiently explains each and every one and shares details of each competitor that she knows. The bartender keeps our glasses full, but Gunnar is vigilant about making us drink water as well, though we do sneak in a couple shots of tequila when he leaves to take a call during the bull riding competition.
When Alvie returns, he takes over giving us the play-by-play about everything, but it seems like every five minutes we’re being interrupted by another person who’s come in to say hello.
You’d never guess by their casual attire, but each introduction that Alvie makes leaves me more and more awestruck by the sheer power and influence I know these people have. They’re executives of major companies, high level donors to the rodeo, and, of course, fellow cowboys and girls who come to catch up with Alvie and Bex.
By the time the tie-down roping contestants are lining up, I am well on my way to wasted and a little exhausted from meeting so many people, but I snap back to attention when the first cowboy gets ready to take his shot at beating the record, Alvie’s record.
Hearing the announcers talk about the man sitting next to me with his hand on my thigh with such admiration and reverence is a heady experience. There’s an odd feeling that overcomes me knowing that even though I’m only a play partner to him, he still chose me. Me.
