8 Second Decision

by H. J. Bellus

  My fingers outline his silhouette on the pane of glass. We were well on our way to being collegiate champs when Daddy was in his accident. It didn’t matter how close we were; there was no option but to come home and take care of him.

  My thoughts tend to spiral very quickly out of control, so I decide to slip from the house and go for a run. Aunt Tori doesn’t live too far from town, so I steady my pace and pound away my worries, hoping to exhaust myself enough to eventually find sleep when I make it back to Tori’s.

  ***

  “Go running again last night?” Tori flips the egg she’s frying.

  “Yeah, sorry if I woke you up.” I run my fingers along the hem of the lace tablecloth lost in thought.

  “I just don’t like when you run at night, Challis.”

  “I couldn’t sleep, and sometimes it finally helps me fall back to sleep.”

  “And did it work last night?” She raises an eyebrow while pointing her spatula at me.

  “Nope.”

  “Did that Merek Slatter get you all hot and bothered, sister?”

  “Ewww. You mean the walking and talking STD? And that’s a big ass no.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Well, too bad. It’s the truth.” I stand to fix my plate of breakfast. “I got a notice about the ranch stating my time window went down to twenty days to make the payment or Lola can sell.”

  Tori lets out an audible gasp, and no matter how much she and Daddy hated each other, I know, deep down, their bonds are tight.

  “Well, looks like we’ll be selling another group of calves then.”

  “No.” I slam down my plate on the chipped countertop. “I’m not making you do that.”

  “You’re not.” Tori steps up in my face. “They’re your daddy’s cattle, and since I despise the bastard, I despise them. We are selling them and that’s final. Eat your breakfast then go hook up the trailer.”

  I don’t argue with her and instead I begin to fill my plate with a protein packed breakfast. Aunt Tori puts up a tough game face, but deep down, I know she’s nothing but all about family at the end of the day, and refusing to sell her and daddy’s calves would be a slap in the face to her. Sometimes in life you just have to bite down on your tongue and accept what’s being given to you.

  “Good slop, Auntie. Going to hookup the gooseneck. Meet me out front in fifteen.”

  The Texas sun pounds down on my skin, warming even the coldest of emotions built up in me. Tori’s place is nothing compared to mine and Daddy’s back in the day. Green panels lay strewn over and empty rusty water tanks litter the corrals. Her place can be categorized as a once been and now a mere ghost town.

  Daddy and Tori’s sibling war has been nothing but public news. She was booted with a hefty check when their father died and has never let the grudge go. My daddy was always in the spotlight in the rodeo world and ranch life. Being a single dad never hurt his credit, and his killer looks just added to his trouble. Tori would take me for a couple of months in the summer while my daddy traveled up and down the road, and I still don’t remember a time where the siblings were civil to each other.

  “Mornin’, Teebaby.” I sneak him a couple treats through the panels and nuzzle in as close as I can.

  He’s my best friend, brother, soul-person, or whatever you want to call it. His mane has caught many of my tears and shared in the pain of heartbreak I’ve experienced. He’s won me buckles and shared in endless celebrations with me. Teebaby has witnessed the ups and downs with me and has never ever turned his back or judged. Again, he’s my best friend.

  I pat him on the forehead, lean in, and place a kiss on his nose. “We are off to sell one more calf. Here’s hoping between that and our rodeo money, we’ll be home before you know it, baby.”

  Teebaby’s understanding eyes make my knees buckle, but it’s when he nuzzles back into my touch that I know he’s there forever. “Got to go, baby. We’ll be on the road next weekend. We need big money.”

  I drag my zebra striped boots to the truck as I think of my daddy’s words when he gave me Teebaby.

  ‘Baby girl, the day will come when you have to let this horse go. It won’t be easy and will more than likely rip your heart out. And you may find it possible never to love or get attached to another horse after having your heart broken. But cherish the times of loving and living that you have on the back of this beautiful paint horse of yours. Are you ready for the ride of your life, Challis Bug?’

  There’s not much that I’ve argued with my daddy on until Teebaby, and that’s because he’ll always be mine, and the day he quits running barrels is the day I retire. My daddy never shed a tear or blinked an eye when it was time to put an animal down on the ranch, even his favorite horse. Deep down, I hope it was just him being brave for me or some macho man shit, because I know there’s no way in hell I’ll ever be able to fill his boots on that end of the spectrum.

  I decided on hopping in my Dodge Cummings instead of Tori’s since I know exactly how to back it up and love the roar of the engine zipping down the road. I won the truck my freshman year of college and it’s been the one thing I refuse to sell to save the ranch. It’s an obnoxious lime green color with several ads down the bed, but it’s all mine and always will be.

  Carefully, I reverse my beast back to the gooseneck trailer knowing exactly when to stop. My phone lights up on the console and when I see the number flashing across the screen I fight to keep my breakfast down. It’s Lola, the bitch spawn of Satan, who managed to weasel her way into my daddy’s life, marry him while I was away at college, and then somehow sent him to his grave.

  She’s beyond eager about selling the ranch and riding off into the sunset with some young Brazilian boy to fulfill her every fantasy. I’ve never felt like trash until the day I witnessed my daddy marry her. Being an only child whose mother never wanted them, and then some Wild West cowboy as a father, I was attached, bonded, and sealed to him.

  The only day I saw my daddy cry was the day I drove west to college. Looking back, it’s as if that was his true burial and funeral, because from that day nothing added up. Lola came into his life and wrecked it—plain and simple.

  I easily slide my finger across the screen, accepting the call and then hanging up immediately. She knows where I stand, as I do her. If my daddy taught me anything it was never give up on what you believe to be true. I know one way of life, and that’s the ranch in Fulton and rodeo. And that’s exactly what I’ll go down fighting for.

  Tori waves like wild as I ease the truck back into the trailer. I’ve done it a thousand times and could probably even execute it drunk and blindfolded to boot. Not wanting Tori to mess up her bad back any further, I hop out quickly to attach the trailer to the truck.

  “Get in, Tori, I got this.”

  “The calves are over in the G lots and all ready to load.”

  Everything inside of me wants to usher her ass to her side of the truck but knows the deviant little shit will refuse. “Got it…go.”

  I begin twirling the hitch, settling it down on the ball, connecting the trailer to the truck. All of these actions come second nature as Daddy always taught me at a young age to work my ass. His words ring clear as a bell in my head. ‘You’re a girl and everyone thinks girls can’t do shit, Challis, so I don’t care how hard of a task it is…you’ll do it.’

  Climbing back into the truck, I peer over at Tori whose eyes are glazed over. “Are you sure you want to sell the last group of cattle on your ranch, Tori?”

  “They were never mine, Challis. Your daddy always had the upper hand.”

  Growing up, I could handle the back and forth and Tori’s bitter words toward my father, but something clicked the day we had to lay him to rest and now the words don’t settle so well with me.

  Instead of arguing or engaging in a round of twenty questions, I back up to the loading chute, glide down my aviators, and hop out once again and go to load the remaining sixty head of cattle on my aunt Tori’s ranch.
I know it’s the selfish side of me coming out to play, but these plump black beauties will definitely bring in a pretty dollar.

  “I’ll get them corralled and loaded. Stay here.” I give Tori a sideways glance as I set the emergency brake. “And play pinochle or whatever the fuck you old lizards do.”

  I spot Teebaby running back and forth across the circle corral and his excitement is nearly contagious. Teebaby is always ready to hit the road and perform. He’s so damn smart. He sees me, the truck and trailer and is ready to roll. My vision darts directly to the corrals because it’s too painful to ignore my best friend.

  The sound of his hooves pounding the dirt as he runs up and down his pen breaks my heart. Hopping over the fence, I jog toward him but stop in the barn first to snag him his favorite treat.

  When I finally get to him he’s amped up and breathing hard from pacing his pen.

  “Here, baby.” I offer him a cookie and feel the palm of my hand get slimed as he inhales it. “I’m just going to town. No rodeo today.”

  I give his cheek one more pat before I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze. “Just cattle going on the trailer today. Maybe a ride later tonight.”

  I break from his pen because I know I could stay in there all day and talk to him, which would lead to saddling him up and then finding the nearest arena to practice running barrels.

  Loading cattle is easy and another job I could do blindfolded. Dealing with eight hundred pound calves is nothing compared to the one-ton bucking bulls I had to work with for Daddy.

  “That was fast.” Tori stares over at me as I jump back into the truck.

  “I even gave Teebaby a treat.”

  “I knew you would.”

  I smile over at her and drive down the dirt lane. I mindlessly pay attention to her directions to the Silver Star Ranch. I chuckle at the prestigious name.

  “What are you finding so damn funny, Challis?”

  “Just the ridiculous name…I mean why not Shining Silver Star? It’s just a cocky ranch name.”

  She lets out a grunt of disapproval and goes back to playing pinochle on her phone. Reaching over I turn up some Miranda Lambert and drive to the other side of town.

  When we pull into the ranch’s driveway, its name definitely fits it, and I even hate to admit that it may be the prettiest piece of land I’ve ever seen. The long paved lane is framed by perfect white fencing on each side. Knee high, lush green pastures wave in the breeze, filled with gorgeous horses of all colors.

  As we get closer, the barns are fancier than most homes back where I live. And the mazes of fencing become more intricate the closer we get to the center of the ranch. A mansion comes into view, or rather a four-story castle with several smaller homes surrounding it.

  “Do you know where we are supposed to go, Tori?”

  “Merle said go to the red barn with double white doors and back in there.”

  “Got it,” I say as I spot one of several barns with that matching coloring, but this one has a row of feed bunks and several pens with feeder cattle in them. There is a wide opening, making it easy to back up to the cattle chute.

  “You sure you want to sell the last of your cattle, Tori?”

  “Yep.” She nods and then hops from the truck. “You need your home, and I’m going to help you get that, missy poo-poo.”

  “I should slap you for using that name. You know I hate it.”

  “And you know I love calling you it.” She slams her door and takes off to find someone in charge.

  I slide from the cab of the truck and inhale the fresh air and admire the gorgeous scene before me. The sun is out with a clear blue sky, and there’s a crisp and refreshing bite to the slight breeze.

  “Can I help you?”

  The deep voice startles me as I whip around to see where it’s coming from. Merek Slatter stands before me with his hands perched on his hips, with his sweaty chest on display, and his straw hat pulled low. My heart fucking thuds when I see the god before me, but I do everything in my power not to show any weakness.

  “What are you doing here, Challis?”

  I try to talk and again nothing comes out. My eyes zero in on the dabbles of sweat beads running down his chest straight into his v-line, and then disappearing into the waistband of his jeans.

  “I’m Tori, and I talked to Merle about selling a lot of calves to him.” Tori pats my shoulder and walks past me.

  I’m left with my jaw on the edge of dropping wide open from the sight before me.

  “Yeah, that’s my dad. I can take care of you.”

  Oh, I’m thinking he can take care of me in more ways than one.

  I take a step back and try my best to block out his deep voice as the two of them talk business. He was such an ass last night, mind you a hot ass, but still an asshole. Yet in the light of the day and in the middle of hard work, he’s the thing that makes panties instantly combust.

  “Challis, help Merek here unload the calves.”

  “Um, yeah.” I round the front of the truck and walk back down the other side of it to avoid any more contact with the man.

  Merek’s at the back of the trailer trying to unlatch it, but little does he know there’s a trick to it.

  “Watch out.” I shove his shoulder without thinking.

  “I know how to open a damn trailer door.” He doesn’t make eye contact as he fiddles with the latch.

  “Really?” I place my hands on my hips and cock my head just watching him.

  “Yeah, I do.” He clangs the handle up and down a little harder then rips his gloves off, tossing them to the ground. “You know what, Challis? You were a cold-hearted bitch to me last night.”

  “Want help yet?” I don’t move from my defensive stance.

  “Not from you, Ms. Goody Two Shoes.”

  Merek screws around with the handle for thirty more seconds before he completely blows and walks away. I can’t help but chuckle at the little temper tantrum he throws. He kicks up dust as he walks back to the barn and I hear several door slams.

  Stepping up, I wiggle the handle counterclockwise and then lift super hard before it finally unlatches. I keep pressure pushed up against the trailer door, keeping the eager stock inside. Merek finally walks back up and nods to me. I take it as the cue to unload the calves.

  The door flies open as the black calves begin jumping off in groups and run down the rest of the way of the alley. I shoo the rest of them off the trailer and shut it quickly and turn to help Merek herd the cattle down the lane.

  “I need fucking help.”

  “Well, I’m not a shrink or a doctor to help with your crabs, so you’re shit out of luck, buddy.”

  “Quit being a bitch.”

  “Damn, and swoony to top it off.”

  “Maverik didn’t come home last night, and this group of cattle needs to go up to the far north corner of the ranch. Can you ride a horse?”

  I stop dead in my tracks, and even though his sexiness has grown exponentially since I first saw him minutes ago, I want to sucker punch the fucker in the nose. “No, Merek, I don’t know how to ride.”

  “Whatever.” He stops and stares back at me. “I know you do. Come help me move them, please.”

  “I have an idea, go call that skank you were making out with last night at the bar.” I kick up a cloud of dust in the air and take off for the truck.

  “Load up, Tori.”

  I jump up into the driver’s seat and roar the engine to life and wait for my aunt. After she settles in her seat and buckles up, I make sure she has her money and take off. The tires blow up clouds of dirt and send small pieces of gravel sailing into the air. I hear storms of them ping off the barn and hope to hell each of them leave a dent in the pristine barn.

  “Challis.” The level of concern is clear in Tori’s voice.

  “He’s a fucker and thinks I’m some dumb piece of ass who will fall to my knees for him.”

  “What the hell happened?”

  “He wanted help trail
ing the cattle to the other side of the ranch and expected me just to saddle up on a pony and do it.”

  “Oh.”

  “Oh, what, Tori?” I yell, knowing that damn Merek has rattled me to the bone.

  “I think you’re overreacting. The man was just asking for help.”

  “He had the nerve to ask if I knew how to ride and then tried covering it up.”

  She giggles a bit before she talks again. “But did you see those abs?”

  I’d never admit the fact he dampened my underwear and took my breath away to her or anyone for that matter.

  “Fuck Merek Slatter.”

  Chapter 3

  Merek

  “I’ll be home tonight, Marvel.” I throw my bag in the back of the truck and send a nod to Maverik to hop in. “Tell Mom we’ll have breakfast. I have to hit this rodeo.”

  “God dammit, Merek. We need to sit down and have a family meeting.” Marvel throws his cowboy hat down onto the front porch.

  I feel like a dick for about two seconds before I light up the tires and roar down the driveway.

  “That boy is going to shoot you, Merek. You know we can’t avoid this mess for the rest of our lives.”

  “Yeah, I know.” I light up a cigarette and take a long puff. “I just need another night.”

  I don’t miss the judgmental stare from Maverik as he looks at the burning cigarette hanging from my mouth.

  “Thought you quit.”

  “I did.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, asshole, I’m fucking stressed.” I pound the dash with my fist.

  “What the hell? You were with Madison last night and the hometown greeted you like a fucking hero, so what gives?”