“I could major in kicking ass,” I reply, giving it to her right back.
This right here proves my strategy is working. Strange, considering Cade is practically breathing down her neck and Faith is unabashedly watching us. Quietly, too, which is a shocker for Faith… and means she’s capturing every detail.
“He wouldn’t seriously give up the chance to go pro, CC,” Cade says, driving me batshit crazy with that nickname. “If he’s drafted high, the money they’ll throw at him will be outrageous.”
Which shows how truly little he knows me. Money has never been a factor. I’ve got enough of that already and all it’s ever done is bring me problems. I don’t go into that, though. One, because it’s none of his business, and two because Peyton’s mom steps out from the main house. Phone pressed to her ear, eyes shielded with her free hand, she spots us by the Jeep, and her smile gets even bigger.
Peyton’s parents never knew we were together. I’m sure they suspected, but we didn’t confirm it, and when we suddenly stopped hanging out, the teasing comments and amused glances stopped. The one thing that didn’t was how they treated me—proof that Peyton never told them a thing. If they knew, they’d definitely hate me.
As Mrs. Grace makes her way toward us, she nods vigorously at whoever is on the phone. “Yes, sir. That’s an amazing opportunity and we thank you for thinking of us.” She nods again as if the person on the other end can see it. “Sounds perfect. Thank you so much. Uh huh, we’ll be in touch.”
The moment she hangs up, she grasps Peyton’s hand. “I have news!” Tugging her daughter toward the Jeep, she wraps her other arm around me in a tight hug. “Justin, it’s always good to see you. You don’t come around here enough, son.”
Dust kicks up in the slight breeze, making my eyes water. I return the hug awkwardly and step back, clearing my throat. When I glance up, Faith is watching me.
“You just missed Dan,” she continues, “But you should stick around. In fact, supper’s almost ready—”
“Mama, you said you had some news?”
Peyton’s mom blinks and then shakes her head, that enormous smile creeping back. “Oh, right! That was Jerry with the Round Rock Kick-off to Summer Rodeo. I’d put a call in to ask about sponsorships for our new school, and get this. Opening day, they’re holding public demonstrations for the crowd and they want you to exhibit for barrel racing!”
Pure terror washes over Peyton’s face. It’s gone in an instant, but it was there.
“Me?” Her voice wobbles and Cade takes her hand. If I hadn’t seen that expression on her face, I’d almost believe she were excited.
Mrs. Grace must think exactly that because she says, “Yes, isn’t that great? It’s the perfect opportunity to get the word out about our new riding school!”
Peyton opens her mouth to speak and I notice the tremble in her lips. I push away from my Jeep, wanting to help, even though I have absolutely no clue what is going on, but Peyton stops me with a look.
“But I haven’t trained in forever,” she says casually, or at least that’s what I think she intended. To me she sounds scared shitless. Her refusal to look me in the eyes confirms it.
None of this makes any sense. Peyton loves horses, loves to ride, and she’d been desperate to get back to rodeo. That’s all she cared about when we were together. Riding Oakley again in the circuit and proving herself after her illness.
I turn from Peyton’s trembling lips to Cade’s protective hand and Faith’s quiet concern. Her friends seem poised to intervene while her own mother is acting like she won the damn lottery.
What in the hell is going on?
PEYTON
SWEET SERENITY RANCH 5:43 P.M.
“Don’t worry about that,” Mama says, brushing aside my lack of training like it’s nothing, when it’s actually everything. It’s a symptom, a clue, not to mention my only excuse to get out of this… well, other than my abject fear.
But she doesn’t know about that.
“There’s tons of time before the rodeo,” she goes on, happiness practically shooting from the top of her head. “Barrel racing is in your blood, sweetheart, and you said you’ve been practicing. An exhibition ride will be a piece of cake. Besides, I’m sure the others will help take a few of your shifts.”
She glances expectedly at Faith and Cade who both mumble halfhearted agreement. Faith offers me a shoulder shrug and Cade squeezes my fingertips.
“It’s not like a full on rodeo,” Mama continued, completely unaware of my dilemma… or the fact that I lied about practicing. “There’s no competition. You won’t have to outrace anyone, just ride well and wear the ranch’s name on your back while you do.”
Oh, is that all?