The Walter Boys Assistant

Chapter 4: Wrangler

You make your way downstairs after spending another hour unpacking and cleaning yourself up. Coming to approach the bedroom around the corner, you spot Alex lying in bed with his back propped up against a pillow, softly surveying the book. It was unopened, making you smile.

"Are you going to read it?" You ask and he looks to meet your eyes.

"Are you kidding? You don't open this." He answers with a slanted smile and carefully sets the book on his nightstand before walking over. "How about a ride?" He offers and you smile.

"Sure." You answer softly and follow him out to the barn where Murphy was calmly waiting. You extend your hand out, stroking the side of his muzzle as he gently sniffs your blouse collar.

"Hi, Murphs." You whisper, planting a kiss to his nose and laugh as his nostril wiggles against your cheek. Alex watches from the side before retrieving the saddle propped and waiting. Your eyes shift to watch as he opens the stall and slips inside, working to saddle his horse.

"I can saddle Custard." You speak up and he nods with his approval. So, you take the go ahead and grab the other saddle before approaching the next stall over. A warm greeting comes from the gorgeous yellow horse, his lips puckering at the side of your head upon your entry. A soft giggle escapes you before using your momentum to swing the heavy leather piece up and onto the horse. He stands in place patiently, awaiting you to finish.

"I remember when Cole introduced you to me," you whisper happily while adjusting the straps, "don't you?"

"I'm sure he does." Alex answers and you look to see him already finished up and waiting with Custard's bridle in his hand. It doesn't take much longer before your horse is all tacked up as you guide him out.

The start to the ride was quiet. No words were spoken between the two of you as you trotted down the familiar trail surrounding the property. You take the quiet in to appreciate the things you missed the most about home. How the sunlight somehow felt like a warm embrace, easing all your troubles away. The birds in Florida could never compete with the birds here in Colorado. You couldn't exactly place it, but it was the truth.

"I almost forgot how nice this is." You hum and Alex turns to look at you, "You would have missed it at training camp."

"You did remember." He breathes out and your brows furrow. The trees cascaded out from above the trial, providing different pockets of shade. Currently, Alex's deep blue t-shirt appeared to be black and his blue jeans seemed even darker.

"You seriously turned down the opportunity of a lifetime because of some girl that took off without a word to you?"

"You don't understand." Alex scowls in response. Irritation grows as you tap Custard's sides until he picks up speed. You cue Custard to the right sharply, forcing Murphy and Alex into a stop. Your eyes remain narrowed, inhaling through your nose to try and maintain the sudden rise of negative emotions.

"Then help me understand, Wrangler." You command. He appears taken by surprise. With the mix of such a stern tone and your nickname for him in the same sentence, it practically throws him for a loop. He blinks a couple of times in a row before looking ahead of the trail past you.

"I told her I loved her at Will's wedding." He speaks and your stomach churns. Maybe it would have been better if you hadn't pushed to know everything. "And she didn't say it back."

"Alex-"

"I was drunk. I didn't know what I was thinking and it just came out when we were dancing," he expresses, pain lacing each word more and more, "Kiley took me to my room and I fell asleep for the night. When I woke up, I knew that I had really messed up. So, I went and put together an apology breakfast. When I entered her room... her things were gone. The bed was made. And I found the teapot."