“Come sit. It’s kind of a lot.”
I cross my arms, staying put. “No, I think I’d rather stand,” I say.
I’d rather have my head held high and not be close to him when he tells me that he’s leaving.
“Okay...it’s about the tour,” he says, stammering.
I already know I’m not going to like what he tells me next.
“So, we’re going. We signed the contracts electronically and we’re now obligated to a year-long, nationwide tour.”
“Awesome. So happy for you.” I spit out and turn on my heel to go back inside, but before I can, he jumps up and grabs my arm. “Sorrel, wait?—”
“Let go, Denton,” I say, looking down at my arm.
With sad eyes, he looks down at it too. “I’m sorry, Sorrel. Just please don’t go before I’m finished giving you all the details.”
I put my head up against the wall and hold myself, feeling my heart already breaking.
My voice hardens. “Fine, go on.”
“I made a stipulation that they have to book us venues near any pro rodeos. We can travel together and both be on the road at the same time. Even if you only come for the summer. We would still be able to see each other and make this work.”
He’s planning his tour around pro rodeos, for me?
My heart stops and my mind is spinning.
“What are you even talking about, Denton? This isn’t anything,” I say, motioning between the two of us.
“C’mon now, Sorrel, you know that ain’t true.”
Is he really rearranging his whole tour just because of me? Does he really want us to be more? Something serious? My mind reels, taking it all in.
I want to believe him, but after everything with Huck…after all the lies and betrayal, trusting someone feels impossible.
I take off running toward the arena. I need to get away, to breathe, to think and be alone. I grab one of the saddled horses and jump on, taking off into a full run. When I turn around, he’s standing there behind me with a look of hurt in his eyes as I take off leaving him in my dust.
I ride fast and hard,passing a few hands moving some cattle, not paying them any attention.
Out of nowhere Sutton is on my tail.
“What the hell are you doing, Sorrel? Don’t tell me you’re running away from that boy already.”
“Mind your business!” I yell back at her.
I’m tired of my nosy older sister. She doesn't understand. She doesn't know what I’ve been through.
She’s on my flank now, damnit. Her horse Athena is faster than the old bay gelding I’m on.
“Just slow down, Sorrel. You’re gonna give old grumps there a heart attack. He hasn’t been ridden that hard in years.”
I feel bad now. I should have made a better selection, but I picked the first horse I saw tied up. These horses are used for lessons or easy ranch work nowadays. I pull back on the reins slowing down to a smooth lope.
“Fine. Happy?”
“No, I still don’t know what’s going on with you.”
We circle each other in the small clearing. I look around at the wildflowers sprouting—butterflies flutter in and out of the tall grass. I stop my horse and jump off, plopping down to the ground. Running my hands through the soft grass, I close my eyes and lift my face to the sun as my horse begins to graze—still holding the reins so he can’t get too far away.
