The Walter Boys Assistant

Chapter 8: It's a deal

"I'm not following..." you speak out of confusion, studying Mrs. Walter as she strides across the room to her desk and sits down. This causes you and Alex to walk after her, you trailing. He gestures forward for you to walk into the smaller space. Without arguing, you step inside first and take a seat across from his mother while he remains standing, now leaning against the wall.

"Neither am I. What are you talking about, mom?" Alex pushes further on your question, causing you to stare at him.

"Look, Alex, your father and I have decided that since you did not go to camp, you are still going to be competing in rodeos. We won't let you throw away this talent all because... of recent events." Katherine starts, never once breaking eye contact with her son in the midst of it. "So, we signed you up for the Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo coming up in June. And after that, we will expect you to enter other competitions yourself in July and August."

"But-"

"And there will be no arguing on this. Am I understood? Your father and I have been understanding where we can, but there's a point that we need to intervene."

The silence that overcame the room is practically unbearable. You can hear the sound of Katherine tapping her food beneath her desk.

"So, uhm, how does this involve me?" You speak up after allowing time for either one of them to continue. Katherine finally breaks her stare with Alex and returns to you, her gaze now much less sharp.

"Because we need someone there who we can trust to ensure Alex is working with Murphy to prepare. George has been overseeing Alex's training, but between keeping the ranch on track and Will's plan to generate new income, he doesn't have enough hours in the day. I know you have a way with horses, and I had George compile a list of patterns and exercises to practice for Alex. You noticed that I have things covered here. Especially with all the applications coming in for summer jobs."

You couldn't lie, a part of you felt hurt by the gesture. It's easy to interpret this as Katherine's way of getting you out of the hospital. She always worries about you working so hard during the summer and continuously tries to talk you into doing other things while you are still young. This seemed like too much of a coincidence that this only worked out for them finding an assistant for Alex at home.

Yet, a bigger part of you swelled with pride. The Walter's trusted you so much that they were going to let you keep an eye on Alex and help him out on his growth in the rodeo business. This meant the world to them, if not more than it meant to Alex. So, saying it was a big deal you were entrusted to keep him in check was to say the least.

"Doctor Walter- Katherine. I need this job to keep on track for college."

"Then I'll accept you working weekends. I will even log your hours working as Alex's assistant. Consider this summer time to practice on your equine veterinary studies." She hurriedly persuades further, causing you to lean back in your seat and chew the inside of your cheek. You hate admitting it, but she has a point. You do need farm animal experience under your belt in order to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. This would give you a huge head start before college.

"This is absolutely ridiculous. It's a waste of (Y/n)'s time-"

"I think we should do it." You speak before you can even think of what you're doing. When you turn around to see Alex, he is already staring at you, shock evident in his widened eyes. Those warm brown eyes that make you melt like ice on a summer day. Heat flushes your cheeks when you find yourself losing all thoughts to his gaze.

"You do?"

"Like your mom said, this gives me a summer of equine care under my belt. You know I need that at some point for the hours of certified training. And we could hang out more this way. We've been griping about how little we see each other since I work here."

You could not believe you were seemingly trying to persuade Alex to let you assist him with his horse riding for the summer. If this ever presented itself years ago, he would have lunged at the chance. This Jackie girl really must have messed with him to make him not care about the rodeo or spending time with you. A twinge of pain in your chest rises up from realizing this.

"Alex, we wouldn't be doing this if we didn't love you." Katherine states gently. He never takes his eyes off you though.

His eyebrows furrow, forcing creases above the ridge of his nose. You seem to take into notice of his freckles adjusting to the movement. Even in a terribly lit hospital office, they are prominent.

It's clear he doesn't like that his hand is being forced in the matter, and for a moment, as he bites his lower lip, you worry he's going to fight. As if he's a cat backed into a corner.

"Okay." He gives and you blink.

"Okay? Like you'll do it?"

"If it means dad will get off my back, fine. I'll compete in the Elizabeth Stampede." He nods once while looking back at his mom. Her smile is response enough. She obviously believes that this will help Alex. So, you're going to do everything in your power to make this go well.

The next hour, the conversation consists of you agreeing to finish off the shift for the day, you and Alex starting up training first thing tomorrow morning, and the terms of the arrangement. Afterwards, you clock out for your lunch and walk out, pausing to find Alex waiting in the lobby for you.

"It's your lunch, right? Want to get something to eat?" He questions. You sigh with relief that he doesn't seem mad that you agreed to his parent's plan.

"Sounds great." You answer and the two of you make your way out, walking across the street. You end up just grabbing some food from (y/f/fast food) and then sitting in the park under a massive oak tree. You lean back against the tree, exhaling briefly while feeling the sun as it maneuvered its way through the tree limbs to get to you.

"I'm sorry about my parents," you hear Alex speak, "they're all freaked out about how I'm handling things. They think I'm making a mistake not being at camp."

"Part of me agrees with them." You manage to confess and look over. He is watching you intently before he looks down, plucking grass out of the ground. You watch as his fingers tumble around, tying a blade into multiple knots. "We need to look at this in a good way. I'm going to be able to get more experience in. You'll be riding Murphy more. And we are going to be spending all summer together."

"Yeah." Alex answers quietly before the corner of his mouth tugs into a smirk. You can't help but smile in return and then nudge against his arm. "No, yeah. You're right. This is going to be great."

"It will kind of be like old times." You say without hesitation, pulling out your food and beginning to eat your meal.

Old times. That sounded nice. Even though you knew things have changed far too much for it to feel like the past, you held onto that glisten of joy that this summer was going to be about the two of you. Alex and (Y/n) once again.

Sitting in silence while eating is one of the most relaxing and peaceful moments you have had since returning back to Colorado.

Upon completing your meals, the two of you rise to your feet, dusting off any dirt and grass that stuck to your clothes. You look up at him, furrowing your brows before you get to your feet and wait for his demands.

"We're going to enjoy this. Me getting back to competing and you being a Walter boy's assistant. Right?"

"Of course." You agree wholeheartedly. Alex then holds his hand out, a true smile on his lips as your eyes lock together in an instant.

"Then it's a deal?" Alex questions, hand still stretched towards you. You can't help but bite down on your lower lip, attempting to hide your smile. It's futile and you end up showing a bright smile.

"It's a deal." You answer and take hold of his hand, shaking firmly. You're so in the moment, you don't even notice the butterflies tumbling about in your stomach at the touch of his hand.

"I can't wait to start tomorrow." Alex says. He means it.

"Me either, Wrangler."