“But I want to talk to you about it. More specifically, what you said before you rudely kicked me off Conrad’s porch the other day.”
“Oh my God, you don’t give up, do you? I didn’t fucking know, okay!”
Her face scrunches up. “Didn’t know what?”
“That Sterling was a virgin before we had sex. I didn’t fucking know!”
Daisy’s eyes go cartoon big. “You had sex with him?” she hisses.
I throw up my hands, a groan sounding from me. “What the fuck do you mean, Daisy? Isn’t that what this is about? You’re pissed that he had sex with me?”
“Nope!” She takes a step back, eyes still wide. “I figured you guys hooked up, given the state I found you both at in his room, but I did not know you had sex.”
One hand on my hip, my other comes up, fingers pinching the bridge of my nose. “Lovely. You know what? This is why you should mind your own fucking business, Daisy. I don’t have time for this.”
I shove past her and go inside. One fucking problem down, one to go.
Admittedly, the evening doesn’t gothatbadly. At least, not at first. Mom asks about the season, we all hang out, eat a delicious dinner, and I start to think maybe Dad won’t pull his bullshit again tonight. Should’ve known better.
Mom announces she’s going to water the flowers outside, and Dad takes the opportunity to herd Daisy and I into the family room to watch rodeo tapes. Nothing good ever comes from watching rodeo fucking tapes with him. Nothing. I should’ve leftright then, but apparently, I’m a fucking glutton for punishment. We start with Daisy’s, because why wouldn’t we? He doesn’t hesitate telling her how well she’s doing. What great form she has. What fantastic control she has of her mare. Even when she knocks the barrel over or has a slower overall time.
So great, Daisy.
Proud of you, Daisy.
Daisy’s sitting in the recliner, preening like a fucking golden retriever being told she’s a good girl for playing fetch.
Her tapes are about done when my phone buzzes in my pocket. Pulling it out, I’m more than a little shocked—and oddly enough, relieved—to see Sterling’s name lighting up my screen.
Sterling: Can we talk if you have some time tonight? I know you’re at your parents’ tonight.
Of course, he knows that. Daisy probably told him. Daisy the fucking Great.
Before I can respond, Dad chimes in, letting me know he’s turning on mine.Joy. Can’t fucking wait.Despite me having a damn impressive season so far, scoring more points than Daisy, I know… I just fucking know, it won’t be good enough. I can feel it in my gut. I shove the phone back into my pocket, sitting on pins and needles as he hits play.
Your back should’ve been straighter there, Shooter.
Your hold could’ve been tighter.
There’s no reason you shouldn’t have scored more points on that one, son.
And then, if that’s not bad enough, we move onto other bareback bronc riders and their videos.
See what he did there? You should be able to do that.
I know you’re better than this.
I know you can do better.
Rodeo is in your blood, son. You should be able to beat their score without even breaking a sweat.
If it were me out there…
If that was me…
What I would do different…
My hands are clenched into fists at my sides, and with one look at Daisy, it’s clear she’s uncomfortable sitting here listening to this. I can’t fucking do this. When he goes to put on a Sterling video, I snap. I cannot sit here and watch Sterling compete and have my dad compare me to him. I just fucking can’t.
