A Fighting Heart

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Come Monday, I’m sitting shotgun in Chase’s truck, headed to the racetrack for their big Fourth of July celebration. I was very surprised at Grandma Barbie’s enthusiastic attitude when I ask to go out with Chase, Ty, and Gigi. I think she’s just happy to have Grandpa back, and her good mood stems from that. Or she’s happy I’m going out and being with people. Or she really likes Chase. Either way, I find myself smiling, singing along to some patriotic song on the radio.

Chase offered to drive to the track if Gigi and I brought the picnic. I think he was worried that, if left up to Ty, all we would have would be beer. 

“Dude, we’re going to win some cash tonight! I’ve been reading up on all the horse stats,” Ty calls to Chase from the backseat. Rolling his eyes, Chase takes my hand, kissing it. We pull into the lot and find a spot amongst the muddy pickup trucks and SUVs. As they say, “Everything’s bigger in Texas”. 

When we get to the gate, Chase and Ty pay and we make our way into the crowds of people. Settling down at a picnic table, Gigi and I spread out a table cloth and begin pulling out the food. We’ve brought chips and salsa, fruit and veggie platters, fried chicken and mashed potatoes, corn bread and biscuits. 

“We definitely picked the right girls Chase. These ladies brought us a feast!” Ty says with a hoot, pulling a giggling Gigi onto his lap. Taking the seat next to Chase I feel his arm snake around my waist. When I look up, his eyes are bright. 

“I’m definitely starting to think so,” he whispers as he kisses my forehead. 

We demolish the food, and are contently stuffed when the first horses begin lining up. 

“Okay I don’t care what you folks do for bets, but per tradition, for me, we are betting at this table for quarters,” I say, pulling a roll out of my bag. Passing around one of the race guides, I instruct everyone to pick a horse. Once we’ve done that, we wait for the bell to go off. 

I’ve loved the racetrack ever since I was a little kid. We used to come here, place our bets, and scream our heads off. I almost never won, but I didn’t mind. Sitting in the sun with my  happy little family, nothing could beat that. 

Four races in, and I’m cheering my head off. “How are you winning all these?!” Ty asks frustrated. 

“Maybe because I don’t pick horses with names like Bigdude or Daddy Issues,” I say sticking out my tongue. Gigi laughs, patting a pouting Ty on the back. 

“My girl knows how to pick em,” Chase says smirking, kissing my temple. 

“So I’m your girl now?” I ask, raising my eyebrows. 

“My fun, consequence free girl?” he asks, poking my nose. 

Shaking my head I poke him back. “Glad to hear we’re on the same page. 

The rest of the night is full of beer and yelling til our throats hurt. The fireworks lit up the sky and I sit leaning against Chase’s chest as we watch. Overall, Ty walks away with fifty dollars more than when he walked in, and then rest of us are content. 

Driving home, Gigi and Ty doze in the backseat and I watch the highway lights pass. “So I have a proposition..” Chase starts, pulling my attention to him. “Ty and I are heading to Fort Worth Thursday for the rodeo up there, and we were thinking you and Gigi might wanna come along. We could get a couple hotel rooms and you guys could hangout while we have press and practice. What do you think?” 

“I would love to,” I say, laughing to myself. 

“What’s so funny?” Chase asks, looking over to me and smiling. 

“We’ve just never been on a normal, boring date,” I smirk. “It’s all great and exciting you know, but it’s definitely not usual.” 

“You want normal?” Chase asks, sitting up straighter. “I’ll give you normal. Tomorrow night I’ll take you on the most normal, boring date ever.” 

Shaking my head I take his hand, kissing it gently. “Sounds perfect to me.”