I cross my arms and glare at her. “Then help me pack. I worked later today than planned and I’m stressed. I haven’t seen him in weeks. I want to look nice.”
She rolls off the bed and starts digging around in my closet. “Grab the dark wash Lola Kimes jeans, the light brown bodysuit, chocolate-colored boots and wear this.” She holds out a dark brown vintage style western jacket.
How does she do that?She can make an outfit in five seconds and it’s always cute. It takes me twenty minutes, and I always send her pictures.
“Thanks.” I take the jacket and put it on the bed with the other potential outfits I know she’ll help me sort through.
We fly out for South Dakota tomorrow afternoon. The first round is tomorrow night, followed by another round Friday. Then, hopefully, he makes the finals on Saturday night. Neither of us bought return flights. I talked to Trey, and he said Knox was planning to drive straight to the ranch after anyway so we could just ride with them. Trey has no idea how he’s getting back to Oklahoma, but he seemed unbothered. I don’t think a whole lot of things bother him.
All day long, I’ve been so excited about pulling off the surprise that I can’t sit still. I pace back and forth across my room while Jessie pieces together the remaining two outfits I need.
When she’s done, she turns around, eyeing me warily. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been anxious since I got here.”
“Nothing; I’m just ready to see him. I really miss him.”
She watches me carefully before a borderline-creepy smile takes over her face. “You’re in love with him,” she declares.
“What? I didn’t say that.” I start folding clothes to put in my suitcase.
“You don’t have to. It’s all over your face,” she says, still wearing her creepy-ass smile.
I throw myself back onto my bed. “Ugh. Fine, yes, I’m in love with him. Happy now? And wipe that creepy smile off your face.”
“My smile is not creepy. But yes, I am happy.” She plops onto the bed next to me. We both turn our heads to face each other. “Have you told him?”
“No.”
“Why not? I’m sure he feels the same way. I could see it way back in July.”
“I haven’t seen him in person. It’s not something I want to say for the first time over the phone.”
“That’s fair. But you could tell him this weekend,” she says with a squeal, kicking her feet. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you’re coming. I know Trey annoys you, but if you get to know him better, I promise he’s really nice.”
“Yeah, yeah, so you’ve said. I’m going because I love you. Now, let’s finish packing.”
I take a calming breath, get up to start packing.
I’m so fucking excited.
Chapter 43
Kacey
I’m so fucking annoyed.
The airline delayed our flightagain. The first time it got delayed, we thought we’d still be able to watch the bull riding, we’d just miss most of the rodeo. Now there is no way we’ll get there in time for the bull riding. We won’t land until thirty minutes after it’s over.
I’m so bummed. This is his last rodeo of the season and it’s a prestigious rodeo that is very hard to qualify for. Knox was so excited when he found out he and Trey both qualified. There is a lot of money to win, and he said they treat the contestants great. I just wanted to be there to cheer him on at his last rodeo of the season.
“It’s okay. He rides again tomorrow, and you can still surprise him. Text Trey and do it at a bar or something,” Jessie tries to console me.
“I know. I’ll text him now—he needs a heads up. I have a feeling he’ll have a hell of a time getting Knox to a bar.”
We finally boarded our flight and almost two hours later, landed in Sioux Falls. Just to make a bad day worse, the Wi-Fi on the plane was broken, so we couldn’t watch the rodeo.
Trey and I planned to meet at a bar near the arena as soon as Jessie and I could get there. We practically sprint out of the terminal. When I turn airplane mode off, my phone vibrates several times. I check it in case it’s Trey with a change of plans.
