Rodeo Hearts

Chapter 29

The arena was filled with thousands of people who were waiting to watch the second day of rodeo. Everyone would be sitting on the edge of their seats during the whole rodeo. I however, am sitting on the edge of my seat now. I'm driving down the road and instead of completely focusing on the road, my mind is drifting to thoughts of Brayden.

I feel like a bad girlfriend, because I haven't really tried to contact Brayden. The thing is though, I'm not his girlfriend anymore. I shouldn't be worry about someone who isn't my boyfriend, but I am. I care too much or not enough. There is no in between.

Time flew by and soon my trailer was parked and I was warming Maybelline up for her run. I have to stay focused for at least a little while, but I keep finding myself searching for an all too familiar face. I don't expect him to be here, but it's possible. That could be his way of coping.

Some people cry over tubs of ice cream to cope. Some people pretend not to care. Some people keep quiet and to themselves. Some people drink to cope. Some people immerse themselves in their profession and others just move on with their lives.

I couldn't imagine having a love one in a coma indefinitely. Never knowing when or if they'll wake up.

~~~~30 Minutes Later~~~~

Maybelline felt tense as we walked to the arena. I stroked her neck and whispered to her, hopeing it would calm her down. For a second, there was a sliver of doubt in my mind. I wasn't entirely sure that this was a good idea, but I put that doubt somewhere in the back of my mind. Where hopefully I wouldn't find that idea anytime soon.

This was the first big rodeo of Maybelline's career. I understood that she was nervous and I would try to do everything I could to make her feel at ease.

We entered the arena as soon as the gate was opened. As soon as Maybelline's hooves hit the arena dirt and the gate closed behind us, she took off for the left barrel first. Not many barrel racers take their horses to the left barrel, but I find that Maybelline does a lot better.

I felt every stride she took as we thundered for the first barrel. I checked her as we neared the barrel. My outside hand grabbed the saddle horn as maneuvered Maybelline around the barrel. I pushed her towards the next barrel and asked her for some speed. I repeated my movements from the first barrel. I felt her stumble slightly on the backside, but she quickly found her footing. I pushed her off once more for the third and final barrel. The third barrel was tight, but quick. I asked for as much speed as she had left as we came around the backside of the barrel.

We ran past the timer and I began to slow her down. I patted Maybelline on the neck once we had come to a halt. I have no clue what our time was, but I figured It might get us into the top five.

"Let's give it up for Aurora Lamar and the amazing 17.34 she just posted!" the announcer shouted.

A smile spread across my face instantly. I wrapped my arms around Maybelline and thanked her a million times over. This win was a step towards my ultimate goal. In a few months, I could possibly run down the 'Thomas & Mack'. My hands were shaking with excitment and my mind was flooded with future possiblites.

The gate opened and I walked Maybelline out. She was a lot calmer than she was when we had first walked in. The voices of the crowd became distant as I jogged Maybelline away from the arena to cool her down.

The sun's rays reached down and kissed my exposed skin. I knew that by the time I got back to the ranch, I would be sunburnt if I didn't apply any sunscreen. There was no time to go get the sunscreen and then cool Maybelline out. I need to take care of my horses first.

I cooled Maybelline out and walked her back to the trailer. It wasn't long before I had her untacked and brushed off. I checked for any heat coming from Maybelline's legs. Everything looked good, she took her first big rodeo like a champ. I knew that Eagle would appreciate the time off that Maybelline would give her. I knew that Eagle would love to stay home like today and graze the fields at least a few more times.

~~~~Hours Later~~~~

Maybelline was in her stall beside of Eagle munching on hay. I brushed both of the horses off and braided their tail and manes. After I was down, I walked to my trailer to clean the living quarters.

Riders were riding their horses in the corral. Practicing their posture and just exercising their steeds. I watched the next generation of equestrians do what every generation of equestrians did before them, practice. I watched them a few more seconds before continuing on my way.

As I reach for the trailer door latch, my phone began to ring. I slipped it out of my back pocket and looked at the screen. It was the same unknown number from earlier. I looked at it in confusion, before sliding my finger across the screen to answer it. I put the phone up to my ear, "Hello?"

"It's Lauren. I know that this may be awkward for you, it is for me too..." a shrilly voice came from the speaker.

I was speechless.

"So do you want to come or not?" Lauren asked again impatiently.

"Excuse me. Come where again?" I asked confused.

"To mine and Mark's wedding, next month." She stated.

I opened and close my mouth like a fish gasping for air.

"Before you turn me down, just consider it. We were best friends once and I made mistakes, but I think we both found our happy ending. We should put all of this behind us and you know make amends. I'll understand if you don't want to come." Lauren blurted.

"Uhmmm...I'm not sure really what to say. I'll have to see if I have a rodeo schedule." I said sighing.

"Ok. Well, If you decide to come just give me a call." Lauren said before we said our goodbyes and ended the call.

I put my phone back in my pocket and climbed up in the trailer. Looking around the trailer, I suddenly realized that I no longer had an interest in cleaning the trailer. I just needed to get away and breathe.

I walked out of the trailer and over to my truck. I searched for my keys and within minutes my truck was running and I was on my way to town.

~~~~~~~~~

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