Ever since Mark though, I’ve held a certain, probably undeserved, amount of disdain for any bull rider. To be fair, for anyone involved in rodeos. I know I’m not being fair, but the eighteen-year-old Montana was hurting and needed a reason for the boy she loved to devastate her. It was easy to blame his profession instead of analyzing the relationship deeper and noticing all the red flags and cracks in its foundation.
Rationally I know being a bull rider had nothing to do with him cheating, but emotionally I expect them all to be unfaithful.
“Montana…” Dakota pleads quietly, knowing exactly what’s going on in my head. It’s her quiet plea that reminds me this isn’t about me and my issues, this is Dakota, my best friend. The one who’s always been there for me no matter what.
“He treat you well?”
“Yes, Mon. He treats me like a queen, as silly as that might sound.”
“It’s not silly. It’s the way you deserve to be treated. I’m glad you found someone who is worthy.”
“He is. You’ll see once you meet him,” she declares, her voice strong with cheerfulness.
“As long as you’re happy.” Delight for my best friend fills me, knowing instinctively she’s found someone who’s right for her and treats her right. “But I reserve the right to kick his ass should he mistreat you. Or hire someone to do so,” I add, remembering he rides bulls for a living and probably knows how to defend himself.
“Oh, I know. I wouldn’t expect anything else.”
“You already warned him, didn’t you?” This would explain his excitement at learning it was me on the phone when he picked up. No one is usually that excited to talk to me.
“Of course, I did. I also told him my money will always be on you. You’re sneaky and unpredictable when you want to be.”
“I would hope so,” I say through laughter. I knew talking to her would help me forget about what happened.
“Was there a reason you called?”
I debate whether or not I should tell her about what happened in the barn but decide against it. No need to burden her with my issues more than I already have. It’s not like it will ever happen again; he has made his feelings for me crystal clear. “No, babe. I just wanted to see how you were doing. Tell you I miss you.”
“I miss you too. I might have to come visit you soon if you stay much longer.”
Sometimes all we need it the knowledge that we’re loved and missed to make us feel better, to forget about life’s dreadful circumstances, and be reminded not everything is as bleak as it might seem.
Change might be waiting just around the corner.
“You should. Despite everything, I think you’d like this place. It’s beautiful and serene. It reminded me what I’m missing living in Seattle.”
“Are you saying you’re thinking about moving?” Her voice holds shock as well as incredulity. “You can’t leave me—”
“Dakota,” I interrupt her, knowing where this is going. “I have no immediate plans to move anywhere. I was thinking to maybe invest in a property in the mountains somewhere as a vacation home. I miss being surrounded by nature.”
“Good. You’re not allowed to leave me and Bob just yet.”
I shake my head at her silliness, knowing I’d never willingly leave them both. They’re the only real family I have. “I’m not. And who knows, you might be moving to Texas soon,” I joke to distract her.
“Hell no,” she exclaims. “Do you know how hot it is down there?”
I laugh at her outrage. “Yeah, we’ve competed many times in Texas, silly. But I imagine a sexy accent and a deep voice might persuade you otherwise,” I tease her.
“You suck.”
“Nope, I don’t. But I imagine you will at some point today,” I deadpan, unable to help myself.
I can hear booming laughter on the other end, too loud to be just Dakota. “Am I on speaker, Kota?”
“Sure are, Mon,” I hear Mav’s voice through the phone shaking with laugher. “And you ain’t wrong.”
“Well, as entertaining as this is, especially for me, I’m going to leave you two love birds to go make hot passionate love. I’m going to find something to eat.” I stand, stretching my back muscles. “Ice cream sounds kinda perfect right now.”
“Jesus, the two of you are going to be the death of me,” Dakota groans in mortification. She always was like this, embarrassed by me just mentioning sex, let alone talk about it in detail.
“Lighten up, babe.” I smirk to no one but myself, I don’t activate my filters to avoid saying something weird or uncomfortable. I never do with her. “Go get yourself laid and relax.”
“I knew I was going to like you, Mon,” Mav says, the mirth audible in his voice.
“That’s because I’m likeable person when I’m around Kota. I’ll let you know whenever I make up my mind about you.” I figure honesty is the best policy.
“I like the candor. I have no doubt I’ll be able to convince you I’m a good guy though,” he says with confidence.
“You better.” I grab some ibuprofen from my nightstand, happy I don’t need the strong ones that would knock me out anymore, and leave my room. “I’ll talk to you later, Kota. And nice talking to you, Mav.”
“Likewise,” Mav says.
“Love you, Mon,” Dakota tells me, letting me know she’s not holding a grudge for embarrassing her.
“Love you, too.”
Once we hang up, I shove my phone into my back pocket and go in search for food. I have the
