Pavonia

Chapter: 20

I stood with my chaps on watching the beginning of men's bull riding. Women's was next. The bull I drew tonight was one I've never rode before. It's the second to last rodeo of the season and it really counts tonight on my ride.

I need to make over a ninety on tonight's ride to get me in the top three to go to CIFR this year. I'm risking NFR again this year by competing in college. When it was my turn, I rode good, stuck the dismount and got over the fence.

I watched the bull before going back to my trailer. Bailie has been really sour to me since Ranger's rodeo in March. It's Howard college in April. Also Ranger's friend keeps trying to get her to go on a date with him and she keeps refusing. I've even said that the guy is a good guy. Nope. She likes the bad guys. She likes the guys like Ranger.

She wants Ranger. Ranger is with me though. He came down last weekend to ask me to be his girlfriend. He even admitted that he has not had a girlfriend since his freshman year of college. I can understand that after the story he told me about the chick. Her playing pregnant when she knew she wasn't just to get him to marry her on the spot.

If I had pulled something like that, I would have given at least three different identifiers proving that I was pregnant. She had no evidence except a fake pregnancy test. That was messed up.

He couldn't make it to this rodeo due to school and a class making him write a report over his career choice. But I made sure to call him nightly and we would talk while he was doing class work. Sometimes he's so tuned in on his work that he does not realize that he's tuned me out.

That has been happening all week. He's got finals next week and he's studying for those on top of everything else. He has actually balanced rodeoing, class and studying in a schedule. He won't miss the last rodeo of the season though.

I didn't want to say anything to him, but I was wanting to go for my RN and leave Vernon College to pursue it. I'm just going to have to look at the different programs. I got a shower and crashed. My phone ringing woke me up. I looked at it seeing it was Ranger.

I answered it. "I was wondering if you were going to call tonight." He said over FaceTime. I turned a light on so he could see me. "What time is it?" I asked. "Twelve at night. I just finished the last of my class work for tonight." He said. "Did I wake you?"

"Partially. I got a shower, hit the bed and completely forgot to call because of how tired I was from yesterday and today." I said ending it with a yawn. "No worries baby. I'll let you get some sleep. Then come visit since we didn't get to see each other this weekend." He said.

"Sounds good. How bout we talk more after I wake up later?" I asked. "Get some sleep baby. We'll talk later." He said. I guess he could tell I was nodding off on the camera. I didn't know he hung up until I lifted my head one more time seeing a text from him. 'Goodnight baby. Talk to you later.' I fell back asleep with my phone in my hand.

When I woke up my phone was in the floor and it was midday. I got up and dressed before going out to feed Bent. I checked my phone one time seeing a good morning text from Ranger from about nine this morning. I guess he went to bed soon after our call.

I finished my daily chores with Bent before I called Ranger as I made myself something to eat. He answered on the second ring. "Sleep well baby?" He asked. "I did. I don't know how I was that tired last night." I said. "You were nodding off pretty bad last night." He said. "Was I?" I asked. "Yes. For a second I was going to ask if you hit your head." He said.

"No. I didn't. I would have felt the headache when you called." I said. "That's what I was thinking. How did last night go?" He asked. "I got the ninety point ride I needed. I just need to get one more tonight to secure my spot. I'm already in the top three with my roping. I just need to stay ahead of the comp to go to CIFR this year." I answered.

"I know you can do it baby. I want to watch you compete in CIFR even if I don't get to go." He said. "Would you tote everything I need there and back?" I asked. "Baby. If I were a senior this year, I would have gone with you to NFR if you got there." He said.

I smiled as I turned the stove off. "Bailie still not talking to ya?" He asked. "Nope. She still wants to ride you." I said. "Not happening when you and I are dating." He said. I smiled as I moved my phone to the table. "How much work do you have left?" I asked him. "Ten pages. Typed. No double spacing, twelve point font. I could go on." He said.

"No need. All of my essays and research papers are in APA format since that is the 'one' for nursing." I said. He shook his head. "I'll let ya go. Got to get first place tonight and will be heading home tonight too." I said. "Get a nap before you ride tonight." He said. "I'll try." I said. "Call me tonight when you are on your way home." He said. I nodded. "I will." "Good, I love talking to you when you are doing nothing." He said.