Born to Ride

Chapter 22

Like in every rodeo event there is always an opening event. It's the even of the year. And this year I will not be able to compete due to the accident that happened earlier. It's weird not taking part in this year's rodeo event but at least when I come back I will be ready to win. My whole life since I was 3 years old, I remember attending the rodeo with my dad. We would wear the same number on our backs. He's the best bull rider I know. I hope to be as good as him one day. I turn to Bonnie who decided to come with me to the dance. After the first day of the event, they always end the day with a good dance and their fair share of drinks. Bonnie likes to dance and its the best way to please her. Take her dancing.

Arriving there we take a seat at the bar as the band plays any man of mine by Shania Twain. While Bonnie doesn't embrace the rodeo life, Shania Twain is her one country musician that she adores. Not being able to keep her excitement, she leaves me at the bar while she goes to the dance floor. I am left at the bar so I order a drink while she dances with someone else. I don't like to dance, Bonnie is well aware, at this point she doesn't asks me to dance as she knows the answer. As that songs comes to an end, the next song starts to play and I just turn around to enjoy my drink. In that moment, Arizona joins me along with Clover.
"What are you doing there alone?" Arizona yells in ears with the music being loud.
"I am not." I use my drink to point to Bonnie over the dance floor.
"You bore. Come on Clover, let's dance." Arizona pushes Clover, but Clover stops her, "Go ahead, let me order a drink first."
Clover takes a seat and tells the bartender to make her a drink. As she's waiting for her drink, she stands next to me, "Having fun?"
I don't usually like to be the one sitting on the side lines and she knows this. but I am not able to compete this time. It stinks for me. It's funny how no one really cares whether or not I am competing. I was just a year's sensation. Not that my family doesn't care but they rather have me not in there competing. Parents will be parents they care and I am grateful but my heart is out there on the side lines. I want to ride again. I take a sip of my drink before answering her, "I rather be riding that drinking."
She gets her drink and leans in my ear to tell me, " I was about to say what are you doing here? You usually don't drink. Are you not competing this time?"
No I don't. I always compete, but this time I wasn't able to. It's annoying. I can't do what I love. Clover was here when all that happened but she obviously didn't stick around to what the doctor had to say. Not after find out I had a girlfriend. I lean in and tell her in her ear, "I can't compete. Doctor's orders."
"What that is crazy?"
"Tell me about it. It defeats the point of me being here."
"That's torture. I cannot see you not riding."
"It's not my choice. Everyone seems to think I need to stop."
"What?! Who?!"
"People." My parents mostly, and Bonnie was thrilled really. at least it seemed like that.
Clover leans closely her lips touching her ear,  "Cowboy, you were born to ride."

The song Fake ID starts to play and Clover smiles at me.  "Hey, cowboy. Want to dance?" She gets up waiting for me to take the lead. I look around and Bonnie is nowhere to be seen. I follow her to the dance floor. With her everything is natural. I wish we could be together. But I can't forgive her. My pride is in the way, I want to prove that I do not want her. That the feelings are no longer there, that I have found someone better. Bonnie is better. Who am I kidding, Clover doesn't compare to Bonnie. Bonnie is not someone I would ever been with, that is why I am with her. Because I could have Clover, I chose Bonnie. I chose Bonnie. As the song comes to an end, I turn to go back to the bar and find Bonnie is watching in a distance. As I move to the bar, she makes her way the stage. I take a seat and Clover sits next to me. We see Bonnie take the stage. Her choice of song seems to be Jolene. I look over at Clover, I know what Bonnie is up to. There it is, Bonnie looking at Clover as she sings. There is an unspoken conversation though out the song. Clover didn't take me away and she's not trying to steal me away. I just don't want to be with Bonnie. But I know, I am not what Clover needs. We're friends and we can only ever be friends, even if I don't see her like that.

"I'm going home," She turns to me after Bonnie finishes singing.
I look at her for a moment, "When?"
"Soon. I am almost done with work, your dad seems satisfied so when he gives me the thumbs up, I think I will go home."
"Clover, this is your home."
She looks at me as if I just miss spoke, "No, this is yours not mine. My life is back in the city. I don't belong here anymore."
"What?!" I am taken aback from her statement. I am about to argue with her when Bonnie comes back, "Wasn't I great?" She seems to be really happy. "What did you think? Did you like the song?" She directs the question to Clover.
Before Clover gives her input a guy comes around and asks Clover to dance. Before she agrees she turns to me, as if saying goodbye. I don't stop her. She leaves. And just like that, that's the life of me and clover. She always leaves and I can only watch.