Unexpected Roommates ✔

50. Saddle 🐎

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Lucas asks as he leans against the doorframe of the guest bedroom I'd been staying in.

It had been a couple days and I was adjusting well to life here in Texas; I had been sleeping well and today was the day.

Today Lucas was teaching me how to ride a horse.

"Are you doubting me?" I ask while slipping into my boots, the one's he gifted me with a few months back. He chuckles, putting his hands up in surrender.

"Princess I would never" he clearly lies but I let it go and stand up, grabbing the hair tie off my wrist. "Are you ready to go?" he asks as I tie my hair into a high ponytail.

"After you cowboy" I smile, taking his hand and allowing him to lead me out of the house and to the stables.

He pulls open the large barn door and the second I step inside I notice an older man brushing one of the Palaminos. I immediately know that has to be Papi Joe, Lucas' favorite person on the planet and the man he admired most.

"Morning Papi" Lucas smiles. "This is-."

"Riley" Papi Joe interjects. "He never shuts up about you" he explains as he holds his hand out for me to shake. I laugh as I take it.

"He's kidding" Lucas laughs uncomfortably, clearly embarrassed by his entire family telling me how often he talks about me. His grandpa just rolls his eyes in response making me laugh even harder as I look to my boyfriend.

"Now why would he do that?" I ask teasingly, quirking an eyebrow at Lucas. Papi Joe looks to his grandson, amusement clear on his face.

"Yes Lucas, why would I do that? It doesn't embarrass you, does it?"

"No, of course not" Lucas replies, rubbing his neck. "Fine. It's true" he concedes. "I talk about you. A lot."

I smile brightly, nudging his shoulder with mine. "Relax babe. I talk about you too" I assure him, reaching a hand up to cup his cheek before leaning in to give him a quick peck.

Papi Joe coughs, looking away as he drops the brush he'd been using into a pail at his feet. "Well, I suppose that's my cue" he says as we pull apart. "Have fun you two" he adds, beaming as he leaves the stables. 

"Thanks Papi Joe" Lucas replies, blushing harshly until he's out of sight and he gains his composure once more. "So, you ready to ride?"

~ 📱 ~

"Woah" I exclaim as Lucas helps me up onto the saddle. I find my balance and take a deep breath while he climbs onto the horse in front of me.

"Alright. There's a small trail just off on the right. It should only take about a half hour to ride. You up for it?" he asks, clearly not wanting to take me too far off the beaten path.

"Of course" I reply, oozing confidence. This didn't seem to hard. I just had to keep my balance and that would he easy with my arms wrapped around him. "Just promise me you won't let me fall" I add, squeezing his midsection.

"Never princess" he assures me before we start off on our way.

I'm careful to keep my arms firmly wrapped around my boyfriend and enjoy the sights and sounds around us until about three quarters of the way through when my rear end is too sore to ignore.

"How do you get used to these saddles?" I ask, readjusting to try and alleviate some of the pain.

"Yea, it's a bit of an adjustment" he agrees, nodding his head. "But it's like riding a bike. Someday you won't even remember a day that a saddle was uncomfortable."

"Someday I'll get used to it, huh?" I quirk an eyebrow. "Are we buying a ranch?"

"Um. Not exactly" he replies, gnawing his bottom lip and my eyes widen as I fill in the blanks.

"You're inheriting this aren't you?" I gape.

"Yea. I am" he confirms, looking over his shoulder at me briefly. "That okay?" he asks worriedly. I smile, leaning forward to peck his lips.

"More than."