8 Second Decision

by H. J. Bellus

  I shake my head and turn back to Teebaby, giving him some fresh water.

  I walk over to Merek and take a drink of the ice cold beer. “Want to help me change?”

  “Fuck yes, I do.”

  He drags me to the living quarters and strips my tank top off and fumbles with the button of my jeans. I attack his lips, kissing him hard and trying to pour everything I have into him. I’m bare naked before him. My fingers fumble with the button of his jeans, and clearly I’m not fast enough for him as Merek picks me up and tosses me on the bed.

  I watch as he unbuckles his buckle and then his pants. His zipper goes down slowly. I raise up just enough to grab his shirt and rip him down onto me. With my other hand, I reach down and grip him, guiding him into me. And that’s all it takes for my bad boy to start working in and out of me. I clutch at his face, digging into his flesh as he relentlessly takes control of me.

  He rolls over, leaving me to sit on top of him.

  “This is my favorite view in the whole world.”

  I slap his chest and begin to slowly move back and forth on top of him. It’s always the sweetest sensation and brings me to the edge quickly. His fingers dig into my hips as he begins to control my movements. The veins in his forearms pop out as he growls. Gripping onto his shirt covering his chest I let go and spin out of control, screaming his name.

  Merek covers my mouth and lets out a chuckle. He flips me over again, rolling me to my stomach and then covers my body. My ass automatically backs up pushing into him, and then I feel him cover my back and then feel his breath in my ear.

  “You mean more to me than rodeo, gold buckles, and glory, Verde, marry me.”

  He pushes his World Champion buckle in front of my face as he growls out his pleasure one last time. I feel him fill me as he slowly pumps in and out of me. Tears fall from my eyes and land on the buckle.

  I feel his lips nibble at my ear and his hand runs through my hair.

  “I’ll marry you, Champ,” I whisper. “I love you.”

  Merek rises from me and starts to clean me up and dress me as I lay in the bed with his buckle clutched to my bare chest. When it comes to my bra, he grabs the buckle and I hold it tighter to me.

  He chuckles at me. “Move your hands, you need to get dressed.”

  “You’re not taking this back. It’s mine.”

  His lips meet mine. Merek gives me the sweetest kiss, and it’s one to remember, as most of ours are either passionate or quick pecks. He rolls off me, holding out his hand, and then pulls me up.

  “Now get dressed. You gottta show your hometown that you’re part of the cool kids club.”

  “Funny, ass.”

  I unclip his buckle from his belt and toss the belt in his direction.

  “Good luck winning another one.”

  “I have an extra in Maverik’s jockey box. Love you, Verde.”

  Merek ducks and jumps out of the trailer. I’m left sitting half dressed on my bed running small circles over his gold buckle. Not just any gold buckle, but the World Champion one that he wears every single time he rides or goes out anywhere. He gave it to me. I know if the man could take his beating heart out of his chest and give it to me he would. This is as close as he can get.

  I hustle up and get dressed, tossing my old buckle on the bed and strapping on my new one. It makes me feel like a new person and it’s almost like we both took our vows lying their making love. I’ll never need anything else from Merek as far as a promise or a ring.

  When I step outside, I don’t waste any time finding Merek or dicking around. Instead I jump up on Teebaby and head toward the arena.

  “How does it feel to be back home?” I reach down and pet his mane. “There’s a new man in my life, but you’ll always be number one.”

  I reach the entry gate as the barrel racers begin to line up. I’ve drawn the last hole and take the time to warm up my amped horse. He could really do this with his eyes shut with cold muscles. His blood bleeds barrel racing and it’s the one thing that’s been my savior.

  “Let’s give a friendly welcome to a hometown cowgirl. Anyone remember a certain brown-haired feisty one that goes by the name Challis Jones?” I’m in shock when the crowd goes wild. “I’ve seen this girl grow up in the rodeo scene and would hate to tell you cowboys that she could out ride any of you. Her daddy was the great Cody Jones, and he raised one hell of a kid.

  I fight back the tears at the mention of my dad’s name and the atmosphere of my favorite arena. I take a split second to look over to chute one and see Merek sitting on it. “Nice, Dad, I guess you approve,” I say to the air.

  Pulling back on the reins, checking Teebaby, I give him a few seconds to get hyped up for his run and then I let him go. I let it all go, the heartbreak and fears. He floats us around barrel one, sits his ass down on barrel two taking it tight, whirling around barrel three, he takes it too sharp tipping the barrel forward. I reach out with my hand as I whirl by it and shove it in the opposite direction. The last sight of the barrel I see it rocking back and forth. I urge Teebaby home, not even looking at the time on the scoreboard. I know for a fact that was our fastest run to date.

  “And ladies and gentlemen, there’s our first place cowgirl running a fifteen flat.”

  The flag girl nods for me and I follow her in for the victory lap.

  “Hey, can you go the opposite way? I have someone I want to pick up.”

  “Sure.” Question covers the teen’s face.

  We race up to the chutes and I stop for a second in front of Merek and Maverik.

  “Get on, Champ, I’ll take you for a spin.”

  Merek doesn’t question me as he hops on the back and holds on. I nudge Teebaby into a run and then let him go, taking an extra lap and enjoying the moment my daddy set up for me. He may have left me, but he made damn sure I found my place in life and the perfect man to live out my story with.

  “Well, that was quite romantic.” Merek kisses my neck.

  “Just showing you how it feels to fit in with the cool kids, Champ.”

  I feel his hand cover my buckle and then his teeth bite down on my neck.

  I dump him off at Maverik’s truck and go about cooling and settling Teebaby in with a permanent grin. That was the fastest run I’ve ever made in that arena and can’t help but think my daddy had something to do with it. A sense of peace washed over me as I ran those barrels and saw Merek watching me from chute one.

  “Verde.”

  “What?” I can’t see Merek since the trailer is between us.

  “Want to go out tonight or you too tired?”

  “Yeah, sounds perfect.”

  I hustle up a bit picking up all my tack and then change my shirt into a tight fitting black V-neck knowing it will drive Merek wild. I tuck the front of it behind my gold buckle. Looking in the mirror, I can’t help but stare at it and how perfectly the black shirt frames it.

  “Move your ass, Challis,” Maverik growls from the outside of the trailer.

  “I’m coming, just a second.” I grab a hair tie and sweep all my hair off the side and begin braiding it as I throw open the door to the living quarters. Merek and Maverik are so not patiently waiting.

  “Just let me finish this braid.”

  “Hurry up, I need to get my drink on,” Maverik responds.

  “Well, someone is sure antsy. What the hell is up with you?”

  He just shrugs as I tie off the braid and hop on Merek’s back.

  “Giddy up, baby.”

  “Where we going, Maverik?” Merek asks.

  “There’s a bar and street dance across the road.”

  I bite down on the tender flesh of Merek’s neck and then kiss around it.

  “I don’t think you want me popping a boner right now, Verde.”

  I laugh hard when I see Maverik shake his head. Before we cross the road I hop down from Merek’s back. The crowd is huge and I spot several familiar faces. The main road is shut down with a band playing in the intersection. T
he aroma of beer and whiskey fills the air and I instantly become thirsty.

  “I need a beer, Champ.”

  He grabs my hand and starts weaving through the crowd. Several friends from high school send me a quick wave, but then flat out ogle Merek. He notices me bristle up and just shakes his head.

  “Let’s just have a good time tonight,” he hollers in my ear.

  I nod and wait to the side while he and Maverik order drinks and take a double look when I see a gorgeous blonde whose hand is tucked in the back pocket of Maverik. I’ve seen girls swarm and flock the man but never actually touch him. He typically takes off and has his way with women behind closed doors.

  “Here.” Merek hands me two beers.

  I stand up on tiptoes and yell in his ear over the racket of the band and crowd. “Who is that?”

  Merek looks at me weird.

  “Who is the blonde on Maverik?”

  “Oh, that’s Ella, his old high school crush.”

  “She doesn’t seem super friendly.”

  “She and I don’t see eye to eye. She crushed Maverik years ago and I told her off the other day when I ran into her.”

  “Where?”

  “In town. Guess the bitch is home for a bit.”

  “Merek,” I scold.

  I try to process all of it but feel Merek press my cup to my lips and smile.

  “Bottoms up, Verde.”

  I pound the first beer and the ice cold golden liquid is refreshing and tasty. I nurse the second as a small crowd swarms up, mostly interested in Merek. I keep stepping to the side or behind him, but he finally pulls me to the front of him, pressing my back into his chest and keeps me there.

  The sad thing is I know several of the people around us but have no desire to talk to them. I was never the social butterfly because I was always working with my dad or riding Teebaby. All my rodeo friends are off at college tearing it up, not here at home.

  My buzz quickly takes over and I get lost in the old time country music. I sway back and forth in Merek’s arms as he entertains the crowd. Maverik hands me two shots of whiskey, leans over, and yells in my ear. “To my new sister.”

  He raises both our shots and we slam them together one at a time. My face curls up as the whiskey burns going down.

  “Chase it with your beer,” Merek’s voice is in my ear.

  “I want to dance.”

  A Patty Loveless song comes on and I’m dragged out to the dance floor before I know what’s going on. Merek takes the lead and I just follow two-stepping right behind him. Song after song we dance the night away. Merek even gets a little funky grooving to some modern upbeat songs. The man has moves. My dad’s best friend, Frank, grabs me for one dance and whirls me around.

  “Your dad would be damn proud of you.”

  “Thanks, Frank.”

  “I need my little lady back.”

  Merek hauls me over to a picnic table and sits me down.

  “You need to eat and soak up some of that alcohol.”

  “I’m not even drunk.” I raise my hands, knocking over two glasses of water.

  “Not even, baby.”

  ***

  “I’m never drinking again.” I roll over and slap Merek’s bare stomach.

  “You know you say that every single time.”

  “How do you not even feel sick? You out drank everyone last night.”

  “I’m a stud.”

  “My stud.” I pat his abs again. I roll up on my elbow and stare down at my guy and then realize I’m naked.

  “Um, where are my clothes?”

  Merek opens one eye. “Somewhere at the street dance. You started stripping.”

  “Shut up, you liar.” I pause for a second. “Really?”

  “No.” He laughs and pulls me on top of him. “You insisted on having sex with me and instantly stripped when we got back.”

  “We had sex last night?”

  “Four times, Verde.”

  “I was kind of drunk.”

  “Yes, you were.”

  “I needed last night. It was fun.”

  “Yeah, we need to cut loose more often, Verde.”

  I place a sweet kiss on him and then bounce up and stumble like a naked fool around the living quarters.

  “What’s the hurry, Verde?”

  “You know what happens when our naked bodies mingle too long, and I need some greasy, spicy food to kick this hangover’s ass.”

  “Just take another shot. It’s the best cure.”

  “Fuck you.” I slide on my jeans, fasten my buckle, and slide on the same black shirt. Aviators and a messy bun are next and I step out in the bright sun and moan in pain.

  “Not so tough this morning?” Maverik asks.

  “Holy loving hell, I might die.”

  I look around to see everything picked up and Teebaby already loaded.

  “I figured you wouldn’t be up to too much work this morning.”

  “Thanks, Mav.”

  “Not a big deal. I couldn’t sleep anyway.” He plops down on his tailgate.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Sure is, little sister.”

  “Who was that gal with you last night?”

  “Just a friend.”

  I know something is up, but I’m sure as hell not going to push the man.

  “Well, thanks. Now go get your brother going. I’m damn hungry.”

  I moan and rustle in my sleep as Merek drives us back to Silver Star. The greasy food did the trick, but now my stomach is rolling.

  “We are almost home, Verde.”

  “I feel like shit.”

  “Still hung over?”

  “No, I feel pukey though.”

  “Five minutes.”

  I lay my head back down on his thigh and enjoy the feeling of his palm rubbing up and down my abdomen.

  “What in the hell?” Maverik accelerates the truck, causing me to nearly roll off the bench and into the stick shift. “Oh fuck, it better not be.”

  I pop up from the bench and see a black sky of smoke and it’s centered right over the ranch. Merek takes the turn up the driveway way too fast and I almost scold him because of Teebaby in the back.

  Sure enough, when we pull up one of the training barns is up in complete flames. I catch sight of Marvel, who's doing his best of running colts out, and before I know it, I’m out of the truck and running into the barn unlatching pens and shooing the colts out into the open. They take off as soon as they hit the open air.

  I go back in for the third time but am pulled back by a fireman. Looking behind me, I see Granddad and Merek’s mom standing on his front porch.

  “This is fucking it. I’ve had enough of this bullshit.”

  “Merek, no.”

  “Me too,” Marvel pipes up.

  Maverik pulls a shotgun from the back of his truck. “Let’s go take care of business, boys. Nobody fucks with the ranch like this.”

  He hops in his truck and the other two brothers follow him. I scream Merek’s name over and over, but he doesn’t look back nor gives me a second thought.

  “Son of a bitch.” I throw a rock at the back of the truck as they peel out of the driveway.

  “Let them go, Sis.” I turn to see Granddad standing by my side. “You’re not going to stop those boys. This is war now.” He loops his arm in mine and walks me up to his porch. “I see you won a new buckle.”

  “It’s Merek’s.”

  “Oh, sweetie, I know. I take it he asked you to marry him.”

  I look over at him baffled and wonder if he’s a mind reader or if the guy knows everything.

  “Since he won his first buckle at his first pee-wee rodeo he always told me he was never giving his future chick, his words not mine, a ring but his favorite buckle.”

  I laugh at the story and feel a little more at ease

  Chapter 19

  Merek

  “Get your ass out here, Saint.”

  Maverik fires off a shot into the air. We had to bust
through two gates, leaving Maverik’s truck billowing with steam.

  Preston steps out on the porch followed by the fucking devil.

  “Well isn’t this a coincidence.” My blood boils and all common sense escapes me. I walk right up the steps and come nose to nose with Preston. “Looks like we have a fucking snake here.”

  Saint steps up to me. “What on the God’s green earth is going on?”

  “You know goddamn well, you fat fuck.” I push him hard in the chest. “Since the day those colts stepped foot on our ranch we’ve had nothing but trouble. Burning down another man’s barn is low, even for you.”

  I ball up my right fist and swing as hard as I can, make contact with his jaw and watch as he falls back. Preston catches him by the elbow and I hear his wife yelling in the background about calling the cops, but I’m beyond pissed.

  “Our dad fucked up. Take it out on him, kick his ass, do what you got to do, but leave Silver Star out of this.”

  “Boy, you just made the worst mistake of your life.”

  I hear gunshots and turn to see Maverik taking out the windows of every single work truck on the place.

  “Tell him to stop,” Saint growls.

  “Payback is a bitch, and every time something goes down at Silver Star you can bet your sweet ass we’ll be right here paying you back.”

  “Merek Slatter, I suggest you back off right now. I’m the little fish in this whole racing world, and your daddy pissed off the wrong people. I’m just the messenger in all of this.”

  “What fucking ever.” I take another swing and land another hard punch to the other side of his face.

  Preston shoves me from the side and then that’s when I really see red and let it all go. I start swinging with all I have until I see and smell blood. Marvel pulls me back.

  “You’re wasting your goddamn energy on the wrong people.” Saint chuckles. “Your daddy fucked up big time. Selling a lame colt to a big racer and then tried to pay off his debt with counterfeit money, causing Louie to get locked up for five years. Louie is out and ready for payback, and he doesn’t care if it’s your dad or daddy’s ranch.”

  “Who the fuck is Louie?”

  “Son, after this little mess here today, I have a feeling you’ll find out sooner than later.”