Carolina Blue

Part 49

Lukas POV

I glance over to see 'Lina drifted off to sleep. I can't help, but smile glad to have her not only next to me, but sleeping peacefully, when I know she still struggles at times to get good rest.

We were getting closer back to the ranch, only about an hour left in the drive.

Ring Ring Ring Picking up my phone, before it could disturb 'Lina out of her sleep. "Hey Rhett."

"Hey Lukas, when ya'll think you'll be back? Ol' man Bennett also has been asking how you two did yesterday."

I cracked a smile reminiscing on yesterday's events. "We're about an hour out. And you can tell Bennett that we both kicked ass." I glanced over at 'Lina. "Carolina put those Louisiana girls in their place and won first place."

"No shit?" Rhett responded clearly surprised by the news.

"She did great, she's really gotten the hang of barrel racing, it also doesn't hurt that Duke loves to run."

"That's impressive though, she could really do somethin' with barrel racin' it sounds like if she keeps it up. You always told me that rodeo had stiffer competition for you in the past."

"Yeah, you're not wrong."

"So, Carolina won, but how did your sorry ass do?"

I let out a light chuckle, "Oh ya know, I got first place is all."

"Hell yea, ya did! Congrats, man!"  

"Thanks, I think I was honestly more excited for 'Lina though."

"Of course you are. So after this road trip are you two an official item."

I grinned down at 'Lina, "Yeah, I think so. I told her I love her man, and fuck do I love her so much. And she agreed to go with me back to my hometown."

"Oh man getting serious. But for real Lukas, I'm happy for you too, you both deserved a win in and out of the arena."

"Thanks man." Rhett and I normally didn't have this type of heart to heart, but having one of your friends in a life threatening coma seems to have us talking about our feelings more recently. I think we both know we don't want to leave this life without something left unsaid to one another. 

"And...Lukas, I know I wasn't the most supportive of you and 'Lina's relationship in the beginning. But I can tell you two really love each other and I truly want nothin' but the best for ya."

"Thanks, I appreciate it. And I understood your concerns early on, and I still sometimes get guilt that creeps in and I know 'Lina does too."

"He'd want you both to be happy."

"I hope so, how has Cope been, any new developments?"

Rhett sighed, "Nothin' new, same worries."

I nodded even though Rhett couldn't see. "Okay, well hey I'll see when we get back in about 40 minutes."

"Sounds good, drive safe you have one of Texas's next best barrel racers with you."

"Oh she's definitely precious cargo, she would be so even if she lost every race."

Rhett laughed, "Oh you're so love sick, it's definitely going to get annoying."

"Eh prolly, just wait till you find the right one."

"Okay, okay I see where this is going you're thinking just because you have a Ol' Lady I need one now, but nope I'm content being single."

"You say that now, but just wait." I joked.

"Whatever, see you soon." I could practically feel Rhett rolling his eyes.

"See ya, bye."

I glanced back over at Carolina to see her still fast asleep with a soft smile gracing her pink lips.

With my eyes back on the road I focused on getting us both safely the rest of the way home. Home. A place one day I hope to share with 'Lina. Yeah, I like the sound of that, waking up next to each, discussing our day every night before we fall fast asleep. I could get used to that.