Learning the Ropes

by T. J. Kline

  “HOLY CRAP!” BILL yelled from his position manning the chute gate when Alicia tossed the rope effortlessly over the steer’s horns and dallied the rope.

  “Dad, little ears,” Sydney warned.

  Alicia had barely turned to her left when David roped both back feet. Alicia felt her chest swell with pride at Bill’s exclamation as she jogged the horse to the end of the arena where Sydney took the rope off.

  “You’ve got some competition here, Chris,” she yelled to her brother as he settled into the header’s box.

  David rode alongside her. “That was incredible. Why didn’t you tell me you could rope like that?”

  Alicia felt the blush rising over her neck and cheeks as she shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t really get to do it often.”

  “You should do it more.” She could hear the surprised awe in David’s voice. “You’re pretty amazing. I might have to partner up with you for some roping events. We should hit up some jackpots.”

  His eyes darkened with desire as they slid over her and she felt her stomach do a nervous flip. The crash of the gate bursting open drew both of their attention as they watched Chris and Scott rope a steer, although not nearly as quickly as they had.

  “Chris, no offense but I think I’m going to keep Ali as my header for the next rodeo,” David teased.

  Alicia saw the dark frown crease Chris’s brow as he rode to where Sydney waited. He brooded silently and Alicia wondered at his sudden moodiness.

  “Ready to go again?” David asked, nudging his horse into a jog, and headed for the box. She glanced back at Chris and wondered if she shouldn’t call it quits right now. He didn’t look too pleased that she was out-roping him.

  CHRIS SAT ON the lounge chair with Kassie curled in his lap, quiet but not yet asleep. He loved cuddling with the toddler and pressed a kiss to the top of her head as she snuggled closer. He looked across the fire pit to where his sister was smiling at him, her head tucked against Scott’s shoulder, with her feet curled under her. David and Ali sat on the wicker loveseat, holding hands.

  “You’re such a good uncle, Chris,” his mother said from the porch behind them. “You need a little one of your own.”

  Chris heard his father chuckle quietly. “Leave him alone, Julia. He needs to find a woman first.”

  Sydney gave him a sympathetic eye roll as their parents headed into the house and Chris shook his head. Why was everyone so concerned with finding him a wife these days? It wasn’t like he had a biological clock ticking out of control. He was twenty-four, not forty-four. He still had plenty of time to have fun before starting a family.

  His eyes drifted to where David and Ali whispered to one another. He saw her eyes flash in the dying sunset, flickering from the light of the flames as she laughed quietly at something David said. He felt the knot of jealousy balling up in the pit of his stomach, roiling and twisting, trying to find a foothold. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  “Looks like Uncle Chris put her right to sleep.” Sydney’s voice broke through his inner turmoil and he looked up to see her standing beside his chair. “Why don’t you carry her inside and help me tuck her into bed?”

  Chris rose from the chair, careful not to wake the sleeping girl. She barely moved and he wondered if anything short of a bomb would wake her. Sydney opened the back door for him and he carried Kassie into one of the guest bedrooms, where his mother had installed a new toddler bed. Sydney pulled back the covers and watched as Chris carefully lowered his niece into the bed before starting to back out of the room. Sydney grabbed his wrist, even as she leaned forward and kissed her daughter’s forehead gently.

  “Sleep tight, baby girl.”

  He felt his heart clench at the tender moment but tried to ignore the aching emptiness that filled him tonight.

  Who was he kidding? It had been there for a long time but, until recently, he’d been able to shove it into the back of his mind, too busy wasting time with worthless pursuits to allow the ache to surface. But tonight, watching them all pair off, sharing quiet moments of tenderness, he felt like an outsider and the longing for more bubbled to the surface.

  Sydney tucked her arm into his elbow and walked out of the room with him. “So, have you told her yet?”

  “Told who what?” He stopped in the hallway and looked down at her.

  “Ali.” She couldn’t hide the smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

  Chris arched a brow. “What am I supposed to be telling her?” He had a feeling where this was going and he was tired of discussing his relationship status. They’d talked him into a corner and he was done feeling lonely today. He knew he was missing out. He didn’t need anyone else pointing it out again.

  “That you’re in love with her. That you’ve always been in love with her.”

  Chris tugged his arm from his sister’s grasp. “You’re crazy. I’m not in love with anyone.”

  “You’re a liar, Christopher Thomas, and every person out there can see it, including Ali if she’d open her eyes.” Her voice was quiet but firm, scolding him for his denial.

  He froze for a moment with his back to her before turning to face her. “What do you want me to do, Syd? She’s dating my best friend. I set them up and they are happy.”

  “You’re an idiot, Chris.” Her voice reprimanded him gently. “She doesn’t love him. It’s always been you. Ever since we were kids. I was just hoping, someday, one of you would finally wake up and see the other felt the same way. Haven’t you ever noticed the way she looks at you?” When he didn’t answer, Sydney shoved his shoulder. “Seriously? You’ve never noticed?”

  “Do you think I would have set her up with David if I had?”

  “Yes, because you have this idea that you can’t be with one woman.”

  He looked over his shoulder when he heard the back door open and saw his mother come into the kitchen. Chris lowered his voice. “There’s nothing I can do about it now.”

  “You have to tell her, Chris. At least give her the opportunity to make the choice. She deserves to make a decision knowing all the facts.”

  Chris’s heart pounded against his ribs. He didn’t think he could do it. If she chose him, he didn’t know if David would forgive him. But she could just as easily choose David. Could he live with seeing her in love with his best friend?

  Chapter Eleven

  * * *

  “HEY, COWBOY, CONGRATS on the win today.” Alicia laughed as David spun around, surprised to see her. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “You didn’t,” he said, holding out his hand to pull her close to him. He circled his arms around her waist and pressed a quick kiss to her nose. “I was just off in my own head, I guess. Maybe thinking about our conversation last night.”

  She brushed her hands over the front of his shirt. “You mean about . . .”

  “You, going to Texas next week with me.” He smiled down at her.

  She couldn’t meet his gaze. She knew a lot of women on the circuit didn’t think twice about traveling with guys, whether it meant sleeping in their beds or not, but it wasn’t something she was comfortable with. He sounded excited to spend the time just the two of them but she wasn’t ready to rush into anything. They’d had a wonderful time together at the barbecue but she just wasn’t ready to jump to this next step. She didn’t feel like they were there yet, there was something still missing. Some spark that wasn’t igniting when she was with him.

  “I don’t think so, David.” She saw his smile falter. “I just . . .”

  “Ali, I want you to go with me but I have to go either way. I need the points and the money from the bigger purses. Plus, I can jump in on a few smaller jackpot ropings down there.”

  She looked up at him, surprised. Why did he need money? He was the son of Colt Greenly, four time calf roping champion with more sponsorships than she could count. His brother owned a big spread south of town and his father had a ranch somewhere nearby, although he’d always been secretive about its ac
tual location. Maybe he was just trying to earn his own way, instead of riding the coattails of his family’s reputation.

  She fumbled with the snap on the pocket of his shirt. “I just don’t think it a good idea for us to travel together yet. I like you and we have fun together but I’m not sure I’m ready for that leap.”

  He slid his hand up her arms and cupped her jaw in his palms. “I’m not sure where you see this going but I’m not playing games with you, Ali. I like you, a lot.”

  He bent and met her lips in a gentle kiss. She barely felt a twinge of desire and cursed herself for it. What was wrong with her? Here was a gorgeous man who was kind, gentle, and caring, thinking of her every need, wanting to spend time with her and she couldn’t muster up even a little excitement at his kiss? There was no electricity when his hand slid down her spine and settled at her lower back, pulling her body against his. Where were the butterflies? The jolt of need? She wanted to feel something.

  “There you are.” They both jumped, turning to see Colt Greenly heading toward them, his limp slowed him while fury colored his face bright red. “What were you doing out there?”

  David’s jaw clenched and he stepped away from Alicia, moving her behind him as if he were shielding her from his father’s wrath.

  Or hiding you, the snide voice in her mind, the one that sounded like Delilah’s , sneered.

  “What are you talking about?” David threw his hands in the air and she could hear the exasperation in his voice. “We won.”

  “By three hundredths of a second.” Colt shoved his finger into David’s shoulder, pushing against him as if daring him to say more. “You were damn lucky and you know it.”

  “Whatever, Dad.” David shook his head and sighed. “I just can’t win with you, can I?” He turned and laid a hand on Alicia’s back.

  “Not when the only thing I’m looking forward to right now is living in a trailer.”

  David spun on his father, stepping up until their chests almost touched. “That wasn’t my doing, now was it? But you expect me to make it right.”

  As if remembering they had an audience, David stepped backward. “I’m doing the best I can as quickly as possible. That’s going to have to be good enough for you.” He reached for her hand, leading her away from the trailer.

  Colt chuckled. “If I’d known having a woman around would help you grow a pair, I’d have brought someone around a long time ago.”

  David dropped her hand and, as quick as lightning, pushed his father against the aluminum trailer. “This has nothing to do with her,” he spit through gritted teeth. “Don’t ever talk about her again.”

  “David,” Alicia pulled at his shoulder, noticing several people taking an abnormal interest in them. “David, stop.”

  David moved away from his father and Colt stood, dusting his hands on his thighs. “You should listen to your bunny. She has more good sense than you do.”

  Shame flooded her, burning her cheeks, and she fought the tears filling her eyes. She turned away, refusing to let anyone see her cry, and willed the tears away. She’d been bullied most of her life. If Colt Greenly thought she cared about his opinion, he was about to find out how wrong he was. She had more class in her pinkie finger than he did in his entire body. People began to slow at the trailer, trying to watch the argument surreptitiously.

  “It’s a real shame, Mr. Greenly, that these kids need to see their hero acting like such a jerk. You might not think I’m good enough for your son, but neither are you.”

  She turned on the heel of her boots, trying to ignore his comment to David as she walked away.

  “That girl has some spunk. She might be a bunny but that bunny’s got claws.”

  “ALI, ARE YOU okay?” Chris wasn’t sure what happened but she seemed frazzled as she saddled Beast. “You need some help?”

  She glanced back at him and he instantly saw the tears welling in her eyes. “Hey, come here.” He made his way toward her and tucked her into his arms, running his hand over the back of her hair as she started sobbing against his shirt. He moved her toward the back of the truck where she could cry without anyone noticing. “What happened? You never cry.”

  “Oh, I’m just so mad.” He could hear the frustration in her voice. “That man is an ass.”

  “Who?” He looked over his shoulder for David.

  “Colt Greenly.”

  “Ah. I have to agree with you on that one. What happened?” He stepped back, forcing some distance between them, as his body reacted to her nearness all the way to his loins. He took a deep breath and sat on the bumper of the truck and clenched his hands beside his thighs. He didn’t want her to see the fury he was barely containing. The fact that Colt made Ali cry only made Chris hate him more. “He has a tendency to speak without thinking.”

  “He called me a bunny.”

  Chris laughed out loud, pinching his lips together and cutting off the sound when she glared at him. “You’re really upset about that?” He tucked his fingers into his pockets to keep from reaching for her hands. “You’re a woman in rodeo. A lot of those older cowboys see every woman as a bunny.” He bumped the toe of her boots gently with his. “Especially the ones who could outride them.”

  She cocked her head at him. “It’s not just him. I’m tired of trying to prove I’m not just the poor kid, the one who can’t quite measure up. I’m sick of people thinking I’m second best.”

  “Then stop trying.”

  She swiped at her cheeks and crossed her arms, staring at the ground. “Because it’s just that easy.”

  He slid off the back of the truck and moved toward her, tipping her chin up. Damn, she was adorable when she looked at him all trusting and innocent. He hated himself for the need that pulsed through his veins, making him want to pull her against him and kiss that worry out of her eyes.

  “Ali, you’re the only one who sees it that way. Every other person out here sees you as the competition, the one to beat.”

  She looked at his chest, embarrassed. “That’s not what Colt told David. He thinks I’m not good enough for him. And there’s always Dallas and Delilah.”

  “Screw Colt and those two Barbies. Why would anything they think matter to you? You need to consider the source.” Chris tipped her chin up with a finger. “You are an amazing woman, Alicia Kanani, and anyone who doesn’t see that is either stupid or jealous.”

  Now was the perfect opportunity for him to say something. He had her full attention and he knew his heart was in his eyes. Could she read it, see it exposed and vulnerable? Was Sydney right about the way she felt? He saw her lips part slightly and wanted to kiss her, to taste her sweet innocence. How could she ever see herself as less worthy than someone else? He wiped away a tear glinting just below her lashes.

  “Ali, I—”

  “Ali, are you okay?” David hurried to where she stood with Chris by her trailer and reached for her hand. “I can’t believe my dad would say anything like that. I’m so sorry.”

  She took a step away from Chris and he felt a vacuum where her presence had been only moments before, as if the sun had clouded over unexpectedly. The moment to say something was gone but instead of feeling like David had saved him from disaster, he felt like he would regret this moment for the rest of his life.

  “It’s not your fault, David.” She moved to finish saddling Beast.

  “I don’t care what he says, Ali.” David stepped up behind her, placing his hands at her waist as Chris watched him whisper something in her ear.

  Jealousy ate at him. Never in his life had he wanted to punch someone more than he did David right now. Seeing him touch Ali made him want to pummel him. He clenched his fists at his sides, wishing he’d never come over here. He didn’t want to see David comfort her, putting his arms around her. Chris was supposed to be the one she turned to.

  She turned around and kissed David’s cheek, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Chris felt the muscle in his temple
tick as his jaw tightened until it felt like it would break. He was supposed to be the one to console her, to make her smile that way. What had he been thinking introducing her to David? Of course they hit it off. Who wouldn’t want someone as special as Ali?

  Ali’s eyes met his over David’s shoulder and she frowned, pulling away from David. “I have to get Beast ready. Wait for me after?”

  “We’ll go to dinner,” he promised. “Wherever you want to go.”

  Chris removed his hat and scratched his head awkwardly. He should just walk away. Anything was better than watching the two of them make plans on how to spend tonight. Images of her in his arms, lost in passion, burned in his mind. He slapped his hat back onto his head as she mounted Beast, looking over at him.

  “Are you coming tonight, too, Chris?”

  He shrugged. “We’ll see.”

  Chris forced a lopsided, cocky grin to his lips. He didn’t want her to see the hurt he was feeling. Sydney was wrong. Chris could never let her know how he felt. It was better for her to think he didn’t care, to let her find happiness with David. “You never know what girl I might go home with tonight.”

  Ali shook her head. “Once a dog, always a dog.” Her tone was teasing but it didn’t match the sadness he saw in her eyes as she rode toward the practice arena.

  “You’re too late.”

  Chris watched David approach where he stood at the back of her trailer as Ali rode away. “For what?”

  “You had your chance with her.”

  Chris faced his friend and shook his head, trying to cover what he was sure was obvious in his face. “I already told you, it’s not like that with me and Ali.”

  “I know what you said and I believed you for a while.” David shook his head and arched a brow in disbelief. “Why didn’t you just say something? I would’ve backed off a long time ago but now . . .” David threw his hands in the air. “Now, I can’t.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Chris started to walk away when David grabbed his arm. Chris stared down at the hand gripping his bicep. “Let go of me, David.”