“That’s impossible,” he replies with conviction. “You know how much we both love you?”
She nods.
“We could never stay away for long. And you know what? I’ll be taking all kinds of cool pictures. I’ll have so much to show you. What do you say about helping me pick the best shots once we’re back? Think you can do that with me? Be my little helper?”
Suzy sniffles, a smile spreading on her lips. “Yeah! I can do that.”
“You sure? It’s an important job. Only the very best little girls can assist.”
“Yeah! I can do it, Uncle Grady!”
He presses a kiss to the top of her head as he slides out of the chair. “Okay, good. Well, promise me that while we’re gone, you’ll practice. I’ll send your mom some shots you can look at, and you tell her which ones are the better choices, okay?”
“Okay!”
My eyes stay focused on Grady as my mind tries to steady my erratic heartbeat. I’m left in awe at how easily Grady just calmed this situation with Suzy. One second, she was upset, and the very next, she was so excited to get to help him when we get back. It’s such an interesting feeling to watch him be so good with her, like a twinge in my chest or a dip in my gut, similar to how it feels if you take a corner in the car too fast.
Grady glances over, meeting my gaze. “Ready?”
I nod, pushing off the counter, doing my best to pretend I wasn’t just staring at him for an inappropriate amount of time. “Yup. Let me go find Jade and let her know we’re leaving.”
Over the last couple of weeks, Grady has attempted to get out of going on the road with me several times. He’ll make up excuses, like he gets car sick if he sits in the passenger seat for too long. Jade’s relentless. I don’t know why she’s so damn adamant that we go together. I know she’s just trying to look out for her brother, but if she knew what’s happened between us, she’d be horrified. Every single time he’s tried to switch up the plans, I’ve wanted to agree with him and tell him to find his own way around, but I knew Jade would just chew my ass out for that, so I’ve shut my mouth, but I don’t think this is a good idea.
It's been busy, for both of us, and we’ve managed to avoid discussing what happened outside of the bar. I’d prefer to keep it that way—out of sight, out of mind—but I have a feeling Grady won’t leave it alone for long. Especially if we’re spending hours alone together in the truck traveling from city to city. It’s bound to come up, much to my annoyance.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time trying to pretend it never happened. Like maybe it was a drunken hallucination. I don’t know what the fuck came over me that night. He was there, I’d had just the right amount of alcohol to make my mind hazyand my decision-making skills weak, and it just…happened. It doesn’t mean anything. And it’s never going to happen again.
It can’t.
And I don’t want it to.
Who gives a shit if it was a great kiss. It’s been a long while since I’ve kissed anybody, so I was craving the touch of another person. That’s all it was. If anything, having Grady come on the road with me is like me proving to myself and the universe that the night outside of the bar meant nothing. It was a blip. It’ll be fine.
After I find Jade, and she comes to say bye to Grady, we hit the road. It’s just after nine in the morning, and we have a solid six hours ahead of us before we get to our first campsite. The first rodeo of the season is tomorrow night, and I’m ready. This is a cycle I always go through. By the time the season is finished, I’m exhausted and want nothing more than to veg out at home, not having to worry about competing. Then by the time the season starts again, I’m feeling antsy and stir-crazy, and all I want is to climb on the back of a bull again.
We’ve been on the road for about an hour when Grady finally speaks up. Up until now, we’ve been listening to music, and it’s felt alright. “Thanks for letting me come along with you,” he murmurs.
“It’s not a problem, G.”
Glancing over at him briefly, I note the pink on his cheeks. “You haven’t called me that for a while.”
Brows pinched, I look back on the road. “Called you what?”
“G. You used to call me it all the time up until…” He breathes out a nervous laugh. “You know.”
I didn’t even realize it until he pointed it out, but he’s right. “I’m sorry that shit’s been so weird lately,” I reply, suddenly feeling like shit. “I’ve had so much stuff on my mind for the last year—probably longer—and it’s made me feel slightly out ofcontrol. I feel like I may have taken that out on you, and I’m sorry for that.”
“Hey, no,” he replies quickly. “You don’t need to do that. It’s fine. Let’s change the subject. I’m sorry for bringing it up. Are you excited for this season?”
I turn my head, meeting his gaze again, and he nods as if to tell me it’s fine. Smiling, I focus on the road and say, “Yeah, I’m ready to get back out there. Are you excited?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe.” He laughs. “I’m nervous too. I want to make Hannah and everyone at the arena proud, you know?”
“You’re gonna do great,” I reply honestly. “You’ve got a great eye, and I think you’ve more than proven yourself to them.”
“Thanks, Boone.” A beat passes before he adds, “I don’t even know what to expect on the road.”
“What do you mean?”
