Trust the Cowboy

Chapter Seventeen

"Alayna."

To say I was shocked was an understatement. I haven't seen Alayna since we sent her to rehab. I studied her, seeing that she had filled out and has more of a glow to her. But as I thought about she probably did have a light about her, it was just dimmed by all of the alcohol she took. Her vibrant green-brown eyes and raven black hair.

"Hi Amber." I hear Alayna say softly. I run to her and we instantly wrap our arms around each other.

"It's been so long." I tell her, this girl was like a sister to me.

"I know and I'm so sorry. But Matt told me that you weren't ready for everyone to have your new number after everything. So, I figured I wait. I missed you too Ams." She tells me. We pull back from each other, but keep each other within arms length.

"Speaking of Matt," I raise a brow at her and Alayna instantly blushes.

"He was really there for me. He was the only guy there for me and I really appreciated it." Alayna said.

I smiled, "Oh I'm so happy for you two!" And we give each other another brief hug.

"Thank you Ams," she says, "Now can I come in?" I laugh and nod my head and step back to let her in. As I turned around I noticed Matt behind me smiling. Alayna walked to him and he hugged her tight. The way they looked at each other made me wish that I could have something like that one day.

"Okay, that's enough PDA for me. I think I'm going to throw up." I say, acting that I'm sick. Matt looks at me and rolls his eyes. "Well, before you guys start grossing me out, I'm going to go and pack since Jordan and I are leaving tomorrow."

"You're leaving tomorrow?" Alayna asks, "But I was hoping we could do something."

"We could always do something tonight, otherwise we're going to have to wait a few weeks." I tell her.

"Well, I kind of already have something planned for tonight, so I guess we will have to do something another time." She tells me, slightly blushing.

"That's fine," I tell her, "I'm so glad that I got to see you again Lanie."

"Me too," she says, "I'll talk to you later." We hug one more time before I walk away.

"I missed you so much Lanie." I heard Matt say.

"It's only been two days Matt," Alayna says back. And judging her tone of voice I can already tell that she's rolling her eyes at Matt's ridiculous whining. I turned the corner to go up to the room that I was staying in. I grabbed the suitcase that I brought in from the trailer and set it on my bed. I only pulled out a few things and set them back in their proper places. I then set foot in the attached bathroom to grab all of my necessities, which are very few.

I missed the rodeo circuit and being able to see new places and people. I'm not a big social butterfly, but I do talk sometimes. I saw my phone light up and noticed that I got a text.

Jordan: Aiden and I are going to be out a little longer. Sorry, I'll let you know when I am coming home.

Jordan won't be seeing her brother, Aiden, for a few months. Jordan will be in the rodeo circuit with me and Aiden will be going back to the army.

A: Don't worry about it. Enjoy you're time with him and tell him hi for me.

After I sent the text I examined my room, making sure that I didn't leave anything. After confirming that I didn't miss anything I zipped up my suitcase and walked outside to our trailer. I set my suitcase on the couch and went to check that all of my tack was in order.

I checked the time on my watch and realized that I should go feed Timber and Cora.

**********

The sound of my nagging alarm woke me up at 4:30 am. I jumped out of bed and quickly got in a fast shower. When I got back out I quickly got dressed and ran outside. My square- toed boots were well worn and I could feel some pricks from rocks. I knew that I needed new boots, but boots are just so expensive.

I grabbed two hay bags and stuffed them with alfalfa, then I hung them up in the trailer. I heard horse hooves against the gravel and quickly rushed out of the trailer. I searched the source and noticed that it was actually just Jordan bringing our outstanding mares.

"You about gave me a heart attack," I told Jordan, "I thought horses got out."

Jordan laughed, "Sorry." I waved her off and grabbed Timber. I loaded her up and went to double check everything. I heard Jordan shut the trailer door after she put in Cora and come around the trailer.

"Ready to go?" Jordan asked.

"Yeah, let's say good bye first." I told her, and Jordan nodded in agreement. We walked up to the front porch to where Sarah, Monte, Brookie, and Matt were all waiting.

"We'll miss you." Sarah said. She grabbed in for a tight hug. I hugged her back just as tightly.

"I'll miss you too, but I'll be back soon. Promise." I told her. I then hugged everyone else individually. Jordan and I hopped in the truck, with me drivin this time. We waved out the window and I honked just before we exited the driveway. Now we are on our way to the St. George rodeo.

*************

We pulled into the St. George rodeo grounds and found a quick place to park. I cut the ignition and we went to the tent to register.

"Amber Jennings." I tell one of the ladies. She rolls her finger down the page and stops at my name.

"Ten dollar fee and please sign here." I pulled out my wallet and payed her ten dollars. Then, I signed the waiver. "And here are your numbers, stall number, and the schedule." I grabbed them and thanked her. I then met Jordan at the entrance of the tent. I looked over to right and noticed Tatum and his friend Jake at a table with a few other ropers.

"Let's go park and get the horses situated," Jordan said.

"Sounds like a plan." I tell her. We walk outside and hop back into the truck to go park.

After we get the horses situated, Jordan and I agreed that she would go get some dinner while I went to scout out the arena and competitors. I handed her the truck keys and went to fill up Timber's bucket.

"Hey stranger," A husky voice says. I turn around and it's the one and only Tatum West.

"Hi," I say and return back to filling up the bucket.

"Is that all I get Gem? A hi?" He asks me.

I turn around and look him in the eyes. He looks the same that since I last saw him. Just with a bit more of a scruff, but he made it look hot. "Yup, that's all you get Cowboy. Just a hi" I tell him.

He scoffs at me, "Now that's just rude."

I roll my eyes at him, "Oh grow up Tatum." I walked back to Timber with the filled up bucket, sadly with a Tatum trailing after me. "Can I help you?" I ask him, while I hook the biker in her stall.

"Yes you can, with two things," I raised my brow at him, "First, I was hoping you would be my good luck charm tomorrow night-" before he could go any further I interrupted him.

"Woah, don't flatter yourself. What makes you think I would agree to that?" I ask him.

He smiles, "Becuase you've done it before and I know you can't resist all of this," gesturing to himself.

I scoff at that but I do have a slight smile.

"So?..." he asks.

********
Hey guys! I hope you've enjoyed these last few chapters. I want to make a cast but I need you guys to give me suggestions. Let me know in the comments below or message me! Thanks guys! I also hope you are enjoying this book. I want I hear what you have to say about it. Please let me know!

Until next time!