Country Girl at Heart

Chapter 12

Let's just say, going to a rodeo was never on my bucket list. I don't know anything about them. So I had no idea what I was going to walk into today... so far, it's living up to the little expectations I do have. There's too much dirt, barbecue food, and American flags. Honestly, it's not the most terrible place I've been too but that doesn't mean I wouldn't much rather be shopping on 5th ave while sipping on a green smoothie.
     Wren and Becky insisted we come as a 'family'. If you can even call us that. I don't mind because I don't have anyone else to come with seeing as Dawson is busy getting ready to compete. Ali on the other hand threw a whole 20 minute tantrum. I was actually impressed with how well she kept it up but Wren isn't known to cave when something is important to him. Which leads me to believe he must really like me because he's allowed me to skip more dinners than I ever thought would be possible. Hopefully not complaining about spending time with him today will allow me to keep doing what I want.
     Besides, I spent the entire day yesterday trying to break in these cowboy boots, and the pain from that isn't about to be for nothing. It didn't help as much as I thought it would seeing as there are already cuts on the back of my heels, but I know it will be worth it when Dawson sees me. Which is the whole point of this rodeo outfit I put together in first place. He says he likes my normal clothes but he's a country boy... I'm sure cut off shorts, bandana tops and cowboy boots are his thing. Besides, I'll never forget when he told me country looks good on me.
     Good thing I can rock either.
     "How them boots workin' for ya?" Wren must notice the tiny waver in my left foot.
     "They were fine but we've been walking around for an hour now, a break would be nice."
     "Well you're in luck little missy, the ropin' outta start soon."
     "Yippy! I just love seein' those boys get out there and do what they love," Becky says between bites of caramel popcorn.
     "How often do they do these things?" I ask.
     "Once every few months or so, at least here in Vernon. Some'a the more serious competitors travel throughout the states year 'round."
"So this is like a thing everywhere else too?"
Ali scoffs. "What'd you think? Texas is the only place people could possibly rodeo just 'cause we're in the west?"
"Alabama!" Becky shoots her a look. "Lexi ain't from 'round here, she's just askin' a simple question."
Ali rolls her eyes. I ignore her.
"Yes," Becky answers, "There are rodeo competitions all over the United States. And different kinds too. They have bull ridin', horse shows, barrel racin' and calf ropin' like what this one here is. The boys train all year for this."
     "Even Dawson?" I casually inquire without sounding too interested.
     I don't think it works because Becky smiles over at me. "He ain't as serious. Just does it for fun is all. You excited'ta cheer him on?"
     I shrug as if I don't care but inside I'm jittering with excitement. I haven't seen him since yesterday when I stomped over to his trailer to demand the reasoning on why he didn't invite me to the rodeo himself, especially with him competing. He insisted that rodeos are the epitome of all things country and he knows how much I despise that. I told him he must not know me well enough because I would put up with anything country to watch him on a horse.
     "In that case," he said, "I expect to see you in the front row."
"Oh, I'll be there. You won't miss me."
"I couldn't even if I wanted to," he smacked my ass and yanked me in the trailer.
The front row is exactly where we go, even though we have to mash together in between two other families who Wren and Becky seem to know well. They dive straight into conversation. Ali clicks away on her phone and I look obsessively at the sidelines or whatever the area is called where the riders and horses prepare as the cows are put into place.
Twenty minutes in and I've yet to find him, and now my already impatient mood is about to be tested because Lyla and Jessica are walking over, waving to Ali and grimacing at me. I give them a sweet, condescending smile right back.
Kill them with kindness.
Even though you want to kill them with your words.
"Girls!" Becky waves them over. "How are ya'll doin'?"
"We're doin' alright, ma'am."
     "Would be much better if Ali could come watch with us," Lyla bats her eyes, as if she could possibly be that sweet.
     Becky looks between the three pleading faces. "Oh alright. But you have to bring Lexi with ya'll."
     "What?" Ali and I say at the same time, with the same amount of defiance.
     "No thanks," I reiterate my stance on hanging out with them, "I'm good here."
     "Not gonna happen. Either the two'a ya go or none'a ya do. Sorry girls."
     "Why do I have to go with them?"
     "Why wouldn't ya? Isn't it nice to be makin' friends?"
     "No. I don't need 'friends' to have a good time." Especially not them.
     "You can't be a hermit forever, Lexi."
     Jessica snickers and bumps Lyla with her elbow. I watch them exchange a look Becky would otherwise see as innocent, but I know their secretly concocting some sort of mean girl plan. "Ya know Becky, I think that's a good idea after all. Wouldn't want Lexi to be a lonely hermit now, would we?"
     Ali is clearly confused, until she catches on and knows what they're up to. "Actually, yeah. It would mean a lot to me if you'd hang out with us today."
     "Well there ya have it!" Becky pats me on the back. "Have fun girls."
     I cannot believe I have to deal with this bullshit today. But if they want to play games, I'll play. Little do they know how much they underestimate my ability to be a bitch. I stand with a perky pep. "Sure! This going to be so much fun. See you later, Beck!"
God, I hate this.
     One by one we walk down the length of the metal fencing encircling the arena until we get to a group of people standing closer to the side where the competitors are. At least now I might be able to find Dawson. I really want to wish him good luck, but with three sets of overly blue shadowed eyes on me I might not be able to do it the way I want to.
     "I can't wait to watch the boys compete." Jessica speaks up from their quiet chatter. "It was nice wishin' 'em all good luck."
     I squint, annoyed, in their direction. How were they able to see the boys already? I look around even harder, straining to spot Dawson's black cowboy hat.
     "Dawson looked good. Dontcha' think, Ali?"
      Ali giggles. "He's so sweet. Lettin' me give him a lil pep talk."
"You're probably he's good luck charm."
Ali looks back at me, and I try as hard as I can to make it look like what they said doesn't phase me. "Oh! I forgot you were there. Sucks you've never been to one'a these so you don't know where the boys are held beforehand. That's too bad," she smacks her lips, "would'a been nice to see him, huh?"
As much as she knows how to rile me up, I refuse to let her see the emotions trying to burst out of me in the form of the worst words you can think of. I swallow them back and level my gaze. "Yeah... it would have been nice to see him today," I let her puff her chest with triumph before adding, "it's a good thing I already wished him all the luck in the world yesterday... in his trailer... with my mouth."
Her expression sinks with disgust and betrayal. I hate how good it feels to win but damn, it feels good to win.
"Slut," Lyla says from behind Ali.
That I don't take offense to. I know I'm not a slut. I also know that when you have nothing better to say than call names, you've lost the argument. "Takes one to know one."
Ali groans deep from her belly. "I hate you!"
I brush off her petty hate words. "Good thing I don't care."
"Come on, Ali!" Jessica grabs her arm. "She's not worth it."
I scoff. "Clearly I am if you invited me over here to purposefully try and make me mad. Just so you know, nothing you say will ever bother me. I couldn't care less what someone like you thinks of someone like me."
"You just think you're so much better than us, dontcha'?" Lyla steps forward.
"Hmm..." I place my finger under my chin and pretend to think. "I don't think, I know."
"You're such'a bitch!"
"Are you ever going to come up with something better than that? Oh wait, I forgot, you've only got that and drug dealer in your arsenal. So clever. Hate to break it to you but neither of those effect me. So by all means, keep 'em coming. I could do this with you all day."
"Fuck you!" Lyla push's toward me as if she's going to hit me.
I force myself to stay still, as much as I don't want to get hit it would make me look a lot better. "Go ahead!" I laugh. "You hit me and I'll sue you and your family for everything they have. Which I'm sure isn't much, but still."
Jessica and Ali grab her arms simultaneously.
"Leave it be, Lyla," Ali says to her, "she'll get what she's got comin'."
I smirk as they walk away in a heated mess, holding my confident stance until they're out of sight. The second I can, I gasp for breath. Without looking too worn down, I try and release all the negative energy that's surrounding me. It would have been so much easier if Ali and her security dogs were sweet little country girls instead of whatever the hell that was. I would have much rather dealt with prude church goers. Everytime I'm around them the worst parts of me come out and I honestly hate it. I didn't come here to be caught up in the middle of a war.
Too heated to go back and make up some phony story to Becky, I stay put and lean forward against the railing. I was so caught up in their drama that I didn't realize the competition started. Gates fling open, startling me, and a calf rockets out followed by a cowboy on a horse. He ropes it easily and ends with the crowd cheering so loud I wonder how I didn't hear it before. I need to stop letting those girls drag me into their dark clouds.
A few riders in and I finally see the familiar face I've been waiting to see. Anticipation soars through my body, pushing me to stand up on one of the rails to get a better look. They announce Dawson's name over the speakers and the crowd yells, including me. He situates himself on the horse and within seconds he's off. It takes him a bit longer than the guy that just went but gets the job done either way. I shake the fence back and forth and scream my brains out for when he's done.
As he's jogging back I yell out his name in hopes that he'll hear me. With the luck I usually don't have, he looks over, and when he finds me, he practically glows with that smile. I wave like a lunatic, not caring how silly I look. He waves back with a flirtatious gesture like he did the first night we officially met and my heart leaps out in sporadic beats.
By the time they announce the winners, I'm on such a high I completely forget about the entire debacle with Ali. In fact, I don't even remember what we were arguing about as I jump down from the fence and run to find Dawson.
Everyone is dressed the same so it's hard at first but finally we come across each other.
"Well look at you, cowgirl," he says as he walks up to me, "almost didn't recognize ya."
     "I definitely prefer city girl, but yeah." I do a little twirl then place my hands on my hips. "What do you think?"
     "I'd say those boots and those legs are almost as enticing as a certain black dress."
     "Almost?"
     He grins, then hooks his finger through my belt loop and pulls me into him. I willingly go in for a hug. We're trying to keep all of this under wraps from the adults and with the entire town here who knows what kind of rumors could be started. A simple hug should look normal, even though I want to kiss his face off.
     When I pull away, his eyes flicker to my mouth. "Red lipstick is a nice touch."
"Oh!" I totally forgot I threw it on last minute. "It's not very country but I had to incorporate a little bit of myself somehow." When I got dressed this morning I came across my Ruby Woo Mac lipstick and decided it was the perfect touch. Turns out I was right.
     His thumb drags across my bottom lip, and when he notices some stick to his fingers he gets an interesting look in his eye. I'm almost nervous as he leans in and whispers, "Can't wait to have that all over me later."
When he pulls back I say, "I'll make sure to bring extra."
Instead of reacting with something sweet, he steps away fast. My heart starts to deflate until I turn around and see why. There is a couple walking toward us, and I can tell they're his parents because he looks exactly like the tall, lean, dirty blonde headed man. The only difference is the scruffy mustache he sports. When he gets close I notice the same sky blue eyes I've come to get lost in.
"My ropin' boy!" The woman who I assume is his mom, comes barreling herself into a hug. She's short but stout and has a head full of curly hair that hangs just enough to frame two very full and rosey cheeks. The second she releases him, he's being dragged into another hug by his dad. It's nice to see a family so comfortable with affection. I've never had that.
"Fifth place... not bad, son." His dad's voice is low and raspy. Both of them have a light Texas accent like Dawson's.
"Eh, it was alright for only practicin' a few times. The other guys deserved the win."
"Always so humble," I say with admiration.
That draws his mom's attention, she looks at me with suspicion. "And who might you be?"
I'm not sure how this is supposed to go, so I look to Dawson for help.
He notices my hesitation. "Ma, pa... this is my friend, Lexi."
I force a smile because that introduction was less than I deserve but I remind myself that this isn't serious and I am in fact, just his friend. Wanting to mix things up a bit I hold out my hand and say, "best friend."
His dad doesn't seem phased, shaking my hand immediately, but his mom is looking at me like she knows my deepest darkest secrets. "Oh, I know all'a Dawson's friends and especially the best'a them. Are you new in town?"
"She's helpin' out as the second ranch hand," Dawson answers, "but she's going home soon."
"Ah," his dad pipes in, "you must be Wrens kid. Heard you're from the big apple. How's the ranch been?"
"Well... there's lots of shit, that's for sure."
Dawson snorts trying to hold back his laugh.
His dad gives me a low chuckle, "You got that right."
Knowing I've won him over, I reel myself in. "In all seriousness, I've found some ways to make it bearable." My glance at Dawson is subtle and goes unnoticed by the adults but he catches it, corners of his mouth threatening to grin.
"We're glad to here it," his mom smiles at me. "Dawson just loves workin' out there with Wren. I do wish he would give my boy more time off to visit his poor, lonely mama... but other than that I can't complain."
"Oh come now Darlene, hard work is good for a growin' boy. Keeps 'em outta trouble. Ain't that right, son."
"Yes, sir," Dawson gives a curt nod.
"That may be so but the ranch ain't no where for a petite lil' thang like Lexi to be. What on earth got Wren thinkin' he should force you to spend your summer doin' all the manual labor with the men?"
I worried they, along with everyone else I've come across so far, know the real reason I'm here. Thank god they don't. Maybe it's only the younger crowd who knows and I've been stressing for nothing this entire time.
     "Ma, stop bombardin' her with questions. She's just out here for the summer livin' with her dad, what does it matter what she's doin' with her time?"
     Darlene looks at Dawson like she's about to smack him. "Now just because you're not livin' at home doesn't mean you can get snippy with me, young man. I'm just askin' is all. She should be in the garden with Becky, not gettin' dirty with you."
     I bite my lip from shooting out into a smile. If only she knew just how dirty we get.
     "Sorry ma," Dawson cowers.
     "That's enough, Darlene," his dad says with finality. "Let's leave these two kids alone to enjoy the rest'a the rodeo."
"Oh, alright. I hope I didn't embarrass ya too much." She grabs Dawson's face and kisses his cheek then looks at me. "It was nice meetin' ya, darlin'. Maybe Dawson can bring ya over one day and we can do somethin' us here girls enjoy doin'."
I tell her that's sounds amazing, even though I'm almost certain we have two totally different ideas of what girls enjoy doing.
"I didn't know Becky had a garden?" I say as we wave them off.
"I don't know much about it but I'm pretty sure that's what she spends most of her time doin'. I think she keeps it around the back of the house or somethin'."
"Hm."
He looks down at me with a crooked eyebrow.
"What?"
"If that's somethin' you wanna do just ask Wren, I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Probably would like you bein' interested in somethin'."
"I never said I was interested."
He looks at me with that same expression.
"Okay maybe a little bit. Like a tiny, little bit... working with the calf has been fun... maybe taking care of plants could be too. Better than hauling hay and being covered in shit at least."
He laughs. "I can't believe you said that to them."
"Yeah well, I'm not afraid to speak my mind."
"Trust me, I know."
"Dawson!" We both turn around to find Lyla's brother, Beau, comes running up to us. "You're not leavin' are ya?"
"Hey, congrats man." Dawson high fives him. "Second place, that's a big deal."
"Awh shoot, not you too. It ain't no thang. I like ropin' that's for sure. You're comin' to the after party right?"
"I think we're gonna head home. It's been a long day and all."
Beau's thick eyebrows shoot up as he looks between us. "Awh, I get it." He holds his fingers in the air to do air quotes when he says, "Head home."
Dawson pushes his shoulder and laughs. "Mind your business, Beau."
"Alright, alright. I'll be mindin' my business. Don't be forgetin' 'bout next weekend though. I can't have you ditchin' me on my birthday now."
"I didn't forget. We'll be there."
"Good thang." He looks back at a few guys calling his name. "Gotta go. Have fun at home," he winks before running off.
"Did I just hear you say we'll be there?" I ask. "You know his sister hates me, right? She just told me to fuck off earlier."
He turns to me, concerned. "She said what now?"
"Nothing. It's not a big deal. I just don't think I should go."
"Since when did Lexi Hunter let somethin' as trivial as girl drama stop her from doin' somethin'? Thought you were the expert."
"Oh, you should've seen me. I shut her right down, don't worry... I'm just sick of being around them. I'd rather be with you... at home. And by home I mean the bed in your trailer," I hint with a flirtatious up down.
His grin is a contortion of mischief, "The inside of my trailer ain't the only option we got, ya know?"
"Mmm, what do you have in mind, cowboy?"