"I love this place too, baby. I know I wasn't born here and there are still things I will have to learn, but that's a part of our journey that I look forward to. Just as you like to be the first to show me a new experience, I love to experience it for the first time with you. This isn't where I'm from, but it feels like more of a home to me than any other place could be."
He opens the gate and we walk inside the stall. The colt stands as we enter. I slow my pace to avoid him feeling threatened. I hold my hand out and slowly walk forward until I am in arm reach of his fur. "Hey, little boy. It's okay. I'm just going to give you some love."
I touch his mane, combing my fingers through it. He stands here, staring at me and breathing. A horse breathing is the most relaxing sound. It's a steady rhythm, never changing pace. The mother inside me already wants to take him in and give him love. It's kind of sad to imagine being taken from your mother at a young age. Animal or not he's just a baby.
I never thought I was cut out to be a mother, but now I can't imagine my life any other way. It truly changes something inside of you that I can't explain. You no longer care about yourself, but your child. It's really strange looking back on the person I was not all that long ago. I was a bud that summer I met Breyson, not developed or beautiful, but he has given me food and nurture, helping me to blossom into a beautiful rose, opening a layer at a time.
I press my cheek against his neck, rubbing my hand along his back. "What are you going to name him?"
This is so similar to last Christmas, but better. "I don't know." I never look back at Breyson. I pull my head back to look at the small horse instead. "What do you want to be called, baby boy?"
For a moment I let my mind roam, tossing out possibilities. I try to think of something that Bryce could say easily when he starts talking, but still represents something meaningful in our family.
Bryce is our little love child. He wasn't planned, but he is the result of the fierce love that Breyson and I have for each other. We both share a love for football. Mine started with the game I told Breyson about on the pier the night I found out I as moving here: the San Diego Chargers game for Konnor's eighth birthday. Both of us met in California and the blue the team represents reminds me of Breyson's eyes. "How about Diego? Do you like that...Diego?" He nuzzles his nose against my hand other hand. "I'm taking that as a yes."
I turn and look at Breyson. He is standing before me with a deep look in his eyes holding an open jewelry box. Sitting nestled inside are a pair of earrings. The center stone is large and round cut sizing about the diameter of the tip of my pinky finger. They are deep blue in color, I'm guessing a sapphire, and surrounded by a layer of small glistening diamonds. “As you did with Bryce you couldn’t have picked a better name. I’m not sure if I told you, but Dr. Rodriguez’s son’s name was Diego, my friend. I think it’s perfect.”
I place my hands over my nose and mouth, completely stunned, as I look at the most beautiful set of earrings I've ever seen. When I think I understand our emotional connection another curveball is thrown our way, leaving me confused yet again. As if I didn't cry enough watching Breyson with his Christmas gift my eyes are filling with tears, sure to make me a blubbering mess within minutes.
I cup my hand around his and the box, brushing my thumb over the two gems inside. "They're beautiful. I don't know what to say."
He starts talking. "When I decided I was buying this horse I had to tell your mom so she could help me keep you out of here with all the wedding planning going on. I was trying to get ideas for what to buy you for Christmas since every time I ask you feel the need to tell me all you want for Christmas is me, which you already have."
He raises his brow at me. Okay yes I remember saying that, but I wasn't being facetious. I meant it. The little things are more important when you've had to go without them for a while. "Somewhere in the mix she started telling me that for good luck in a marriage a bride must wear something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue on her wedding day. Since we haven't had the best run with good luck in the past I figured it wouldn't hurt to go with tradition, and I wanted some of it to be from me so each time you put it on I will cross your mind. Here is your something new and your something blue."
Yep, the blubbering mess is well on its way. What woman needs extravagant romantic gestures when you have a man like this? I don't need fantasy I need reality. This is real life romance. I wrap my arms around his neck and jump in his arms. He catches me like he always does and we kiss, because that's what we do. We don't have to say thank you in a million different ways. We show instead of tell.
This is my story, being written day by day. You only have one chance to get it right. Unlike a book, in life there is no backspace key or eraser to change it. You can only flip through the pages of what has already happened and continue forward. Everything recorded is permanent. When I flip back through the story of our lives, I want to know that ours is good enough to read over and over.
I look in those beautiful blue irises in front of me. "Take me to your truck, Abercrombie. I want to make out like two hormonal teenagers until we're disturbed by the bundle in the back."
He grins, showing off that unforgettable smile. "I thought you'd never ask."
Chapter 22
Kinzleigh
February....
I walk in Psychology class and sit in my usual seat. It feels surreal to be back in school. I never in a million years thought I would miss schoolwork, but I did. I think it's more that I wasn't doing anything with my life than the actual work. I've always wanted to hold my own weight in our relationship. Now that I have a career path it's like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
I decided that I want to stick to business. I still want to continue with a cheerleading company. I started school last month as a business administration major with a minor in marketing.
Right after Christmas Macie called me about the building that Preston purchased for me. She said that the title is ready to hand over with my name on it; the documents just need to be signed. One signature and I am legally the owner. I tried to back out, because I feel guilty accepting something like that since Preston and I aren't together anymore, but she told me she was under strict orders to make sure that I took it. It wasn't negotiable.
I was stuck with a decision to make. I'm here and the building is in California. I could sell it, but I feel worse about cashing in a gift for a profit than taking it and making it successful. Making it a success is the best way to thank someone and in a few years I'll have a business degree.
Breyson and I talked about it one night before bed. We both came to an agreement that I could hire someone to manage it fulltime and the two of us fly up when our schedules allow, overseeing things until we see where things go with it. With us both working enough to save most of the money still put up we can swing it. We pay Pops a monthly mortgage payment for the house out of the money we have from Breyson's accounts and my trust fund. It's no different than a bank loan minus the interest. We will pay it off faster and it's cheaper. We pay utilities and necessities with money we make working part time.
Breyson still works on the ranch when not occupied with school or football. The cheerleading program I was training with not far from where our parents live in Oak Grove liked my skill level of tumbling and asked if I would be interested in coaching a few classes a week for the younger girls. They would of course pay me and allow me to continue training for free since I would be an employee. The distance from our parents works out to drop Bryce off when I have a class.
I accepted the offer because it helps out to have an extra income and this is what I want to do with my life, so it gives me experience. I would have been stupid to turn it down.
Breyson and I were going to hire a sitter to watch Bryce during the day while we are in school, but Mims wouldn't allow it. She told us that she doesn't have anything else to do with her days and it would save us money we didn't need to spend. Then she went on and on about
germs and sickness and that she needed to bond with her first and only great grandson, because she wouldn't be around forever. I've learned you don't argue with Mims. She is set in her ways and I absolutely adore her. It's a win both ways. I know Bryce is taken care of, it saves on childcare, and she gets her way.
The upcoming months are going to be pretty busy between Breyson and I. We both have tryouts coming up for next football season, we have the wedding and honeymoon during spring break next month, and in the midst of all that we have to keep up our grades and finish out finals in May. This summer we are spending two weeks in California to open and get everything sorted for the cheerleading company. We kind of agreed to make it a tradition to always spend at least a week during each summer in California since that’s where everything started between us, so we rented a beach house and we're officially introducing Bryce to the beach. I can't believe he will be almost one then. Time is going by so fast with him.
If all of that isn't a busy enough schedule, hopefully we will be starting the schedule for training and practices readying for next football season. If everything works out the way we hope Breyson will be starting running back next season and I will get to watch, but this time on the sidelines as a college cheerleader. I never thought I'd miss wearing black and gold after high school, but I'd give anything to be wearing those colors again, because that would mean I made the squad.
Karsyn walks in and plops down in the seat beside me. This semester I was able to get a couple of classes with Breyson and one with Karsyn since we are all still taking basic courses. Somehow, I even ended up in a class with Fisher. Considering the size of this campus I'm going to assume a certain hot, blue-eyed football player had something to do with that instead of blaming it on coincidence, but I can't prove it and he will take it to the grave. I shake my head thinking about the overprotective man that I love. I'm taking advantage of it though, because once basics are done Breyson and Karsyn will be in totally different classes related to their major and I'll be studying alone or in a different group.
Basic Psychology is a course required for every major, so it's in an auditorium style classroom with about one hundred students, give or take. I look at Karsyn and laugh as I look at what she's dressed in. "Late night?"
We chose the eight o'clock class on Tuesday and Thursday. Okay, well I did. I have too much to do in my day not to get started early. She looks down at herself and back at me. "What this? Don't get me wrong your ass wanting to take the 8AM class is fucking insane, but no, I didn't just roll out of bed and come to class. I dress for comfort. Every time I see a freshman girl dressed up for class like she is going to the club I want to scream, you are an epic failure to society."
I'm laughing out loud to the point that it's embarrassing. People are staring at me, but I can't help it. You have to understand Karsyn. She curses like a sailor, has no filter, and is as country as they come. She never cares what other people think and I love that about her.
The outfit that has me almost in tears is a pair of black sweatpants with Batman written down the leg in yellow and tucked in her trusty cowgirl boots, a long sleeve, fitted white tee shirt, and a black infinity scarf wrapped around her neck. Her white-blonde hair hangs straight in a ponytail with a pair of aviator shades resting on top of her head and her makeup is done to perfection as it always is. I swear the girl took makeup classes or something. I'm always jealous at how good hers looks. It's like she woke up and smacked together three different people into one outfit. What's even funnier is strangely the girl can pull it off.
"Have I told you I love you today? I will haunt you if you ever stop being my friend. Love stalking is not beneath me." I say it jokingly, but I actually mean it. I have never met another girl quite like Karsyn. She keeps you in a constant good mood, making you laugh at all hours of the day with no effort at all.
"Awe, I love you too, sweet cheeks." She holds up her right hand as if she’s about to swear on a bible. "Full disclaimer. I am giving you permission that love stalking is perfectly acceptable and in most cases encouraged. We will be twinksters 'til the end my female version of a soul mate. Two peas in a pod, you and I."
She looks around like she's making sure the professor isn't waiting to start class, and then glances at her watch. "Okay, time to get down to business. I have approximately five minutes to give this presentation."
I raise my brow at her word choice. "Presentation?"
"Yes." She takes a deep breath, dramatizing it completely. "What are you doing this weekend?"
I think. If there was something I was supposed to be doing it's not coming to me. "Planning a wedding? Actually, I need to ask you something."
She cups her hand over my mouth, shushing me. "Yes, pumpkin, I would be honored to be a bridesmaid, but that conversation will have to be postponed. This is on a time frame...and no you are not fucking wedding planning. What did I tell you? You do not want to become Bridezilla. All I hear about is wedding planning. I love you, but no. Just no. We are going to have some fun. I need you, Batgirl."
I tighten my lips in a narrow line as she removes her hand slowly, trying not to laugh out loud again. How on earth she finishes my sentences who knows. I can't be that predictable. "What, O' important one?"
"I am riding in the rodeo this weekend. It's a little over an hour from here, in Jackson. It's the big one around these parts that they have every February. I want you to come with. They have several different showings that I have to ride in over the course of the weekend, but once I'm done I can sit with you. They have a dance on Saturday night. Beer, boots, and fun; how can you resist?"
A rodeo? I've never been to a rodeo. "I don't know...we have a lot going on right now. We have two trips planned already. I don't know if Breyson will want to spend the money."
"Let me see your phone. Make it snappy."
I remove it from my purse that is sitting in my lap and hand it to her. "What for?"
"Hold all questions until the end. Passcode?"
"1005."
I watch curiously as she navigates around my phone with ease. She places it to her ear. "Breyson, Karsyn. Quick question. I want Kinzleigh to come to the Dixie National Rodeo this weekend. I think she needs a break from all the wedding stuff before her brain fries. I already have a room booked and you can even bring a friend so you aren’t tagging along third wheel. What do you say? Are you going to let her go?"
Her eyebrows dip. "Um…"
She glances at me. "Have you ever been to a rodeo? What kind of a question is that?" She mumbles into the phone. "Who hasn't been to a rodeo?"
"I haven't." Of course he's going to make this about his list of my firsts that he's responsible for.
"What the fuck?" She is gawking at me. Literally, I could pick her chin up off the floor. "Please tell me you're going to go after hearing that shit. As a true southern belle I cannot allow a friend to continue living here knowing she has never been to a rodeo. That would be completely unacceptable."
"Watch your language, Miss Davies, and put the cell phone away. Class is starting." The professor walks down the adjacent aisle in her tight pencil skirt and matching jacket, her heels tapping against the floor. She wears her hair pulled back in a tight bun every day. She's not very friendly and acts uptight. The woman probably needs to get laid. I don't curse often, but it doesn't bother me to hear. This is college. I'm sure most everyone in this room does.
"After classes adjourn. Gotta go, bye."
She tosses the phone in my purse. "Looks like he agrees that you should definitely try your boots out in the purpose they were invented for and not just a fashion statement, love bug. Get ready. This weekend you're going to forget about responsibility and have fun. You'll thank me later."
She winks and turns to face the front as if none of that just happened. What could be so special about a rodeo? I shake my head and pull out my notebook, ready to take lecture notes. I guess I'm about to find out...
Chapter 23
Breyson
"Yo
u ready to roll out?" I look over at the sound of Fisher's voice. He is walking out of his dorm building with a duffel bag.
"Damn, dude, it's about time. What the hell were you doing in there? You take longer to get ready than my wife and she has to get two people ready." I stand from the bench I've been occupying as he passes, flipping me off.
The smell of cologne passes through the air as I follow behind him. I look down at my shoes and shake my head. Someone's got the Karsyn itch. It's really kind of funny to see someone else look this bad. I guess it's a lot different seeing it on someone else.
I open the door to my truck and climb inside. Fisher tosses his bag in the backseat and sits in the passenger seat. "Where are we picking up the girls?"
"You mean where are we picking up Karsyn?"
"Dude, are you going to continue to bust my balls? I think she's hot, so what? Lots of girls are hot."
"Yes, because someone other than me finally has that look in their eyes. I've earned the right to bust your balls."
"What look? You got married at nineteen, boy. There is no comparison to the look I have and the look that you have."
Yeah right. He may be referring to the look I have now, but I remember how it started. He has the look. It takes one to know one. "You'll see."
I back out of the parking lot and start down the street. "They are actually at the sorority house. Kinzleigh rode with me today since we were leaving right after school. Our clothes are in the back. Karsyn is packing her stuff. Her dad agreed to haul her horse so she's riding with us. I think he takes cattle or something anyway."
He not so discreetly looks at his cell phone and starts biting on his thumbnail, further proving my point. "Hey, why don't you live on frat row if Karsyn lives in a house?"
"A spot hasn't opened up yet. Seniority gets rooms first and I'm in the football dorm anyway."
I pull into the street lined with sorority housing and find a parking spot available. I pull out my phone to call Kinzleigh. She answers on second ring.
Lasting Fate Page 32
