She would obviously need to go back to work, that’s no surprise, so I’m confused why she seemed like telling me this would agitate me. We haven’t spoken too in depth about what happens once I get back into town, but from what little we have, she’s expressed how excited she is to get back into the workforce and have something that’s just for her. She was more than willing to be a stay-at-home mom when we had Suzy, but I know how much she enjoys being more independent.
“That’s great, Jade. I’m happy for you.”
“I’m not done,” she states, sounding hesitant. “They’ve been bought out by a larger company since I worked there before. Training now takes place at their main office, so I’d have to travel there for that. They’d cover lodging and food and all of that, but I’d have to go to Salt Lake City for training.”
“For how long?”
Wincing, Jade says, “Six weeks,” before adding in a hurry, “But I’ll be home before Thanksgiving, so that’s a plus.”
“I’ll already be home from the circuit by the time you’d need to leave, so I don’t see the problem.”
“Really?”
Huffing out a laugh through my nose, I say, “Yes, Jade. What? Did you expect me to get pissed off? How many times over the course of our life have you rearranged your schedule to accommodate me traveling for work? I think the least I can do is hold down the fort with Suzy while you’re gone.”
Even before we had Suzy, my career was always the most demanding. The one that required constant flexibility. I can fully recognize that being married to a bull rider isn’t easy, in any sense of the term. We travel for nearly half the year, and when we are home, we’re training. Our jobs are dangerous and unpredictable. You never know how you’re going to do, so one year you could be rolling in money, and then the next, you’re struggling to make ends meet. Sure, that doesn’t happen nowthat I’m as well-known as I am, thanks to sponsors and what have you, but in the early years, things got dicey.
Even though Jade and I are getting a divorce, we still have to co-parent Suzy together. Which means she’s still going to have to deal with a bull rider’s schedule and lifestyle, at least until I retire.
“There’s more,” she mutters, suddenly looking uncomfortable all over again. “Grady is dropping out of college, and I told him he could stay at the house for a while, and that it would be really great if he could help you out while I’m gone since I know you’ll need to go to the arena to train and stuff.” Jade says the entire sentence in one long breath, her face scrunching up when she’s finished.
Lips pinched into a thin line, I bite down on my molars, forcing myself to take a few deep breaths before I respond. This is the second fucking time she’s offered up the house to her brother without even talking to me about it first.
“Are you mad?” she asks.
“I’m a little annoyed you told him he could stay there without talking to me about it first,” I respond before adding, “Again.”
She sighs. “It could be really helpful. Boone. Think about it. You wouldn’t have to ask either of our parents to watch Suzy when you needed to go to the arena. Besides, you two get along. It should be fun.”
“Yeah, but just because I get along with someone, doesn’t mean I want them in my house twenty-four-seven.”
“He’s family, Boone, and he’s just figuring out what he wants out of life. I don’t think it’ll kill us to let him crash with us. I’m sure you’ll barely notice he’s even there.”
Doubtful.
“I told him about how we’re getting a divorce,” she goes on. My jaw ticks and my pulse speeds up. I didn’t tell her about him finding out, but I’m assuming he never told her.
“And?”
“And nothing,” she says defensively. “I just didn’t want it to be a total shock for him when we file once you’re home. I figured it would be more uncomfortable having him find out that way.”
Shortly after, we hang up, but my mind is stuck on Grady. Why didn’t he tell Jade that I told him about the divorce? Why keep that to yourself? Knowing Jade’s going to be gone for weeks while Grady is at the house, I can’t help but wonder how that will go. She’s right, he and Idoget along just fine. The week I was home for Stampede Days, he was clean and quiet, and he mostly stayed out of the way. Maybe it’ll be like that. That wouldn’t be so bad, I guess.
Blowing out a breath, I stand up and shove my phone into the pocket of my jeans before making my way out of the camper and back to where my group of friends are all sitting around the fire. We’ve got two weekends left on the circuit, tomorrow being the start of the first. We’re having a chill night with a fire and some beer, all of us exhausted and ready to head home.
“Hey, fucker,” my buddy, Shooter, calls out as he sees me approach. “Where the hell have you been?”
Stopping at one of the coolers, I pluck out an ice-cold bottle of Bud Light before taking a seat around the fire. “Called Suzy before she went to bed, and then talked to Jade for a minute.”
After we all hit the road again after Stampede Days, I finally decided to tell my friends about the divorce. It felt like it was time. I’m pretty sure everybody saw it coming. No one acted all that surprised, but they were supportive and empathetic anyway. It hasn’t exactly been a secret that Jade and I were unhappy. We’d fight constantly on the road each year, and it never got better. I’m sure it was awkward for them to be around. They haven’t outright said it, but I think they were happy to hear she wasn’t coming this season.
I’ve missed Suzy like crazy, but I can’t deny how nice it’s been to not have Jade around, huffing and bitching about everything that annoys her. Becauseeverythingabout the road bothered her.
The bed in the camper.
The traveling.
The showers.
