Caballeros

Hearts and Rodeos (Edited)

  

Jules

I am so proud of Gordo and I beam at me after he kisses me crazy. Everyone is cheering around us, it makes me blush something fierce. I hug him tightly and he grimaces in pain, I pull back and look at his face contort in pain.

"Baby, you're hurt!" I scold.

"I'm fine really, just a bit sore," he says like it's no big deal.

"Fine, but you know even if you were hurt you wouldn't tell me." I say a bit annoyed.

"Naw, probably not," he chuckles.

"Joaquin Ortega!"

"Oh I'm Joaquin now?" he laughs grabbing my waist. He sits me on his lap along with Trinity in my arms. "Darlin' I don't want you worrying."

"I'm always gonna worry about you, I care so much about you."

"I care for you so much too Darlin'. Give me a kiss," he says. I give him a kiss and Trinity giggles. "Why are you giggling silly girl?"

"You did great out there baby!"

"I think I did shitty but thank you Jules."

"Naw, you did great," My dad says.

"Thanks Don Hector but we'll see what those results show. Darlin' I'm gonna go watch from the side lines. I won't be good company."

"Sure, I understand go ahead. This cutie pie and I will share some cotton candy."

"Tandy, tandy," Trinity claps.

"I mean if that's okay with you?"

"Of course it is. I trust you with her."

He kisses me and makes his way to the barricade and hops over it. He sits on the top of the fence with the other riders. A few children stop by and he signs a few of their programs but the next bull rider comes out he is back to his serious demeanor. He takes off his hat and runs his hands through his hair what seems like a million times. He is shaking his left leg up and down, the same habit he had when we were kids when he was nervous. It makes me feel anxious for him too.

I turn my attention to Trinity who has cotton candy all over her face; it is so freaking cute. She is sharing with everyone too. They have taken a shining to her as much as I have. This afternoon after her nap she cried out when she did not see me immediately. She cried out the word 'mama' for the second time today. I don't think I will tell Joaquin about it.

The bull riders were all good but I'm partial to the one that stole my heart. They will be announcing the two advancing shortly. I think I'm just as nervous as he is; if he doesn't advance I will still be really proud of him. All the bull riders have to stand on a podium next to the announcer. He looks so damn handsome in his riding gear and cowboy hat.

"Thank ya'll for coming out this afternoon. Let me first introduce all the bull riders. We have Mateo Macias of Knoxville, Jeremy Johnson of Houston, David Duarte of Nashville, Ken Graham of San Antonio and last but least the baby of the bunch Joaquin Ortega. "The announcer says. The crowd roars when they hear Joaquin's name mentioned. Daddy says that Joaquin is the 'Golden Child' of Laredo so the crowd is excited for him.

"Okay, let's get on with the results, first rider advancing to the championships tomorrow is Jeremy Johnson. The second bull rider with the best score of the night," the announcer begins to chuckle. "Show them what Laredo can do baby boy, Joaquin Ortega has advanced. Congratulations fellas."

All I can do is scream for him, I am so excited. He looks like he is in shock and he has this big grin plastered on his face. All the bull riders pat him on the back. He throws his fists in the air the whole crowd screams and yells for him. He jumps off the podium and runs throwing his cowboy hat in the air.

He runs to me and picks me up in his arms, I grip his face and kiss him hard. He looks around for Trinity and she is sleeping soundly.

"She's sleeping again?"

"Yeah, she fell asleep eating cotton Candy."

"I hope she is not getting sick," he says.

"Maybe it's just a growth spurt." I say.

"I hope so it's hard when she is sick, she gets super cranky and the guys get pissed."

"Screw them, I'm gonna take her home so she can rest. I am pretty wiped out too."

"Ok, I am gonna be here for a while yet. How will you get home?"

"One of dad's cars in the garage. Sabrina gave me Trinity's car seat from her car. Changs just put it in the car for me."

"Ok Darlin' I'll see you in a few hours. Drive safely."

I kiss him again and grab Trinity from The Gooch's arms so I can leave. I see Daddy as he is getting the car ready for me to take. He grabs Trin from me and places her in the car seat.

"Daddy, can I talk to you about something?"

"Sure Mija, Que paso?"

"Daddy, do you know where Joaquin and Trinity live?"

"Not sure but somewhere in town," he says. "Why?"

"Daddy, he lives with a bunch of bull riders with the baby."

"Oh, that's not good in fact that is really dangerous. Those guys are idiots."

"I was thinking of having them stay with me."

"Mija, that is a great idea but do you think Joaquin will go for it?"

"He really doesn't have a choice. I am thinking of the safety of the baby daddy."

"You're such a good person mija. Do you need me to do something?"

"Since you're asking, will you follow me to the store in your truck?"

"Sure, what do you need to get?"

"Trinity can't sleep in a play pen daddy. She needs a real bed and toys. I just want her to be able to play anytime she wants in a safe place."

"You really care for the both of them, don't ya?" Daddy asks with a smile. "I knew that you would find each again. I 'm happy for ya'll.

"Yes daddy I care for them, so very much. Thank you daddy, for your support." I say and he nods.

"Okay let's go."

Before we leave I stop at Joaquin's truck. I have my dad take out Joaquin's duffle bags and crate full of his cowboy boots and hats. He puts them in the back of his truck.

I hope I haven't crossed a line. I hope he doesn't get mad at me.

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