Carolina Blue

Part 4

Once Darla had left Cope turned to me and asked "how are you holding up Lina?"

"I'm doin alright, jus nervous for you is all?"

Cope eyed me skeptically, "you sure that's all it is?"

"Ya I'm sure"

Cope gave me a quick peck on the lips and a squeeze of my hand before saying, "Lina bean I love you and I'm gonna be alright."

Cope was holding my gaze the entire time. I nodded for what seemed like the umpteenth time tonight and quietly said, "I love you too Cope."

Cope let go of my hand as he prepares for his ride.

I could hear the music in arena had changed to a more intense sounding and the announcer was starting to get the crowd riled up

And now for the main event of the evening. Where real men will compete.

Who can hold on for eight seconds.

Before we begin let's bring out the cowboys of this evening.

Cope looked up at me now sporting his chaps, knowing that was his cue.

"Hey Lina I gotta go out there but I'll be right back."

I nodded, apprehensive to be left alone since Darla hadn't returned yet.

Cope threw me a smile, as he walked quickly to the line up of the rest of the cowboys.

As soon as Cope walked away I felt a presence appear beside me. Not aware of who it was I felt my heart beat quicken.

However once the familiar drawl of, "Hey, Lina, so you and Yeller huh?" Lukas asked me eyeing where Cope walked off, while leaning his arms on the fence in front of us that separated the chutes from down below.

I felt immediately a little bit at ease once Lukas was beside me.

"Yep we are together."

"Well he seems like a good one."

"He is."

After a couple beats of silence I could tell Lukas was working up to ask what was really on his mind.

"Is this the first rodeo since..." he trailed off not really sure how to phrase it.

"Yeah it is." I let out a large sigh at the end.

"How ya holdin up?" He asked with genuine care apparent.

I debated on whether to be honest or lie and give the short answer. I decided that this may be the one person who may understand the most so I chose option one. "Honestly, I keep lookin over my shoulder for him."

Lukas sighed and looked off into the distance nodding his head with understanding. "I've only seen him once since that night and as soon as he saw me he bee lined the opposite direction. I doubt he'll be here tonight. But hey if it means anything, I know you have Cope, but if you need me I'm here for ya. Whether you need me to punch someone again or just a friend."

I looked at him and gave me a sad smile with my eyes glistening with tears, "thank you"

Noticing the tears starting to form, Lukas gave me a quick one arm side hug and said, "Lina cmon now don't cry." He said in an amusing tone trying to lighten the mood

And to my surprise I let out a light laugh.

Lukas smiled but then turned serious for a second as he said, "does Cope know?"

I looked at where his eye had caught Cope starting to head this way. "Not the full story, he only knows that somethin bad happened that made me give up ropin' and I didn't want to take his mind off tonight."

Lukas nodded, "gotcha"

Lukas then clapped his hand on my shoulder and said loud enough for Cope to catch part of it as he was almost to us, "Yeller will do just fine tonight Carolina, he was made for this."

Cope walked up smiling at the last part of the compliment he had heard. While I smiled appreciatively at Lukas for giving me the perfect thing to tell Cope we were discussing.

Then I realized that Lukas wasn't out with the rest of the guys when they were announced moments ago. "Are you not ridin' tonight?" I asked looking up at Lukas.

Lukas shook his head, "nah this is my breather weekend and honestly I just' wanted to scope out my competition."

"Oh I see."

"Yep, so Yeller, ya feelin' ready to ride?"

Cope let out a wild grin. "Ready as I'll ever be."

"Yeller! You're on deck." A man yelled out in the distance.

Cope looked at me, "wish me luck"

I wrapped my arms around his waist and said into his chest "please don't get hurt"

After our hug Cope responded "Lina Bean I'll be alright," and added a wink at the end and kissed my forehead and walked to the chutes.

Lukas had an amused look on his face.

"What?" I asked looking at him.

"Lina bean huh?"

I hit him playfully on the shoulder, "shut up"

He laughed, "let's go find a good spot to watch."

I looked around quickly seeing if Darla had made her way back yet. Not wanting to miss watching Cope's ride I nodded assuming Darla probably just caught up talking to someone.

I followed Lukas as we weaved our way in and out of people trying to find a good spot to stand and watch, as the stands were already packed.

As we walked I noticed what Darla had mentioned earlier how every girl we walked by eyed Lukas as western eye candy and some would even glare at me with jealousy.

However, what made me stop in my tracks was a man off in the distance that had the same brown mullet and same behavior as him from last summer.

I stopped dead in my tracks as I felt my palms begin to sweat, my heart quicken, my breathing hitched and then started going eratic before I could stop it.

Lukas must have noticed me stopping then noticed where my eyes were plastered. He put his hand behind the small of my back and leaned down to whisper in my ear, "Lina breathe that's not him."

My breathing was still all over the place as I took those words in so he added, "that's Jake Thompson he's harmless as a fly except for bad pickup lines."

I nodded finally being able to catch my breath.

Lukas reached down and grabbed my hand and said, "Cmon now Cope will be up any minute."