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“Hey, you were the one who broughtit up.”
Sliding the shirt on, I slip the buttons in place before changing into jeans and a pair of boots. Thankfully, Emmett and I are roughly the same size, so his clothes are a good fit because he’s right. Most of my work clothes were left behind when I left for college, and there was no way I’d be fitting in any of them now. Not that I wanted to go back home right this minute.
“Okay, boss, whatcha got for me?”
Emmett looks up from his phone, a smirk forming on his lips. “Look at that. He dresses like a cowboy. Let’s see if he still remembers how to get his ass on the horse.”
I give him a dull look. “You want my help or not, asshole?”
“C’mon, you know I do.” Sliding his phone into his pocket, he opens the door, and we step outside.
“You’re acting like you were home the last four years when, if I remember correctly, you were up north, hanging out with the Yankees.”
“Studying how to lead a ranch. What did you study again?”
I roll my eyes. “Business.”
“Right, and the last I checked, you still didn’t get that degree.” He quirks his brow in a challenge.
He had me there. I had a really good football year my sophomore and junior years of college, so after talking to my coach, I decided to enter the draft early. He wasn’t too happy about it, insisting I should finish my degree, but I wanted it. I wanted to play professionally so badly I decided to go against his advice. However, I did promise him and myself I’d get that degree. “I’m actually taking online classes. I have one this summer. It’ll be slow, but I’ll get that degree finished.”
Emmett nods his head as we continue toward the barn. “That’s good, man. Football is great, but we both know how quickly things can change.”
That was true. I’ve seen it happen a few times this season.Fatal career-ending injuries. Not making the final cut. Your luck could turn in a matter of minutes, and then you’d be left with nothing and no backup plan.
“You’ve got a good agent?”
“Yes, Andrew Hill. He seems like a solid guy, and his agency is one of the best right now. My buddy, Blake, is working with him, too, and he seems happy.”
“That’s good. You need somebody to look out for your best interests.”
“That’s the idea.” I look around the barn, the intense smell of horses and hay filling my lungs. “You plan on using me to shovel horse shit? Is that your idea of revenge?”
“Nah, I’ll leave that for the other people. We’re going out riding. Still remember how to saddle the horse?”
That fucker.
I move past him, making sure to check his shoulder on my way. “Of course I fucking remember how to saddle a horse.”
Emmett’s laughter echoes in the room as he joins me, and together, we saddle our horses and get them out of the barn.
Hopping back on the horse feels like riding a bike. My body was so used to the movement I slipped back into the saddle like no time had passed. Emmett nods at the few ranch hands as we pass by.
“I wanted to go out and check the pastures. Make sure everything is in place, and see if any herds need to be moved.”
“Sounds good. Lead the way.”
The moment we’re far enough from the barn area, we shift into a trot.
My heart rate rises as I lean closer to the horse’s neck, my body adjusting to the familiar rhythm as we run over the ground.
Fuck, I missed this.
I missed this a lot.
Contrary to my father’s low opinion of me, I didn’t hate this lifestyle. I didn’t hate the hard work. I didn’t hate the animals. I didn’t hate being out in the open. There was no way I could ever hate the land that was an intrinsic part of me for the better part of my life.
I just loved football more.
