Breathless (Meadowlarks)

by Ashley Christine

  Within a few minutes Blaine and Alex casually strolled through the kitchen door.

  “Speak of the devil,” I whispered into my mug of coffee before taking a sip, and leaving the kitchen post haste. I left Alex in the kitchen with them, as I could bet money that he knew something about this. Guys talk just as much as women do.

  I sat down on the couch, and held my mug with two hands, braced and ready to hear Addison unleash...but, surprisingly she didn’t. I heard a few muffled voices, either Alex or Blaine saying something to her.

  Then, finally, Addison spoke up loud enough for me to hear her. “So, what you're saying is, you are doing this because of Jeremiah?”

  I perked up, leaning in like it was going to boost my ability to eavesdrop.

  “No, I'm telling you that I need to do this. Since he died I felt like...” Blaine said, his voice low and controlled. “Like, he could have done so much with his life, but he didn't. He worked day in and day out for me...for what, Addy?”

  “I think Blaine's trying to say that life is too short,” Alex chimed in.

  “Don't help, Alex,” Addison snapped. “Sorry, I guess I just don't understand why you would want to risk getting hurt again, Blaine.”

  “I know what I'm risking. I've done this so many times. It was a fluke the last time,” Blaine said, his voice a little louder this time. “I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I was going to, I just didn't plan on doing it today.”

  “So you're really going through with it?” Addison asked.

  “Yes, Alex is coming too,” Blaine said.

  My eyes flared, and I shot up off the couch and marched right into the kitchen. “Sorry?” I said, wiggling my earlobe. “I thought I just heard you say Alex is going to the rodeo with you? What exactly are you going to be doing there, Alex?”

  Blaine looked like a deer in headlights and Alex slowly started to back away from me. He walked around the island in the centre of the room and smiled an “oops, sorry I forgot to mention this to you, baby” smile.

  “T-team roping,” Alex said softly and then cleared his throat. “I'm good. We’re good.”

  “Okay, well. Addy and I are coming with you. This weekend right?” I asked, and both Blaine and Alex nodded. “Addy, what kind of shoes do I need to wear to this type of thing?”

  Addison smirked. “Not those.” She pointed down to the sandals on my feet and laughed.

  Over lunch Blaine explained to Addison and me just what exactly team roping entailed, and how he promised Alex would be safe.

  “So, I'm the heeler, and Alex is the header,” he said with a smile. “He will rope first, around one or both horns, or right around the neck. Then I will rope the back legs, hopefully.”

  Alex grinned from across the picnic table. “That's right baby!” He whipped his hand around like he had an invisible lasso and pretended to pull me into him with it.

  I rolled my eyes. “Well, that sounds okay. I mean, I think it'll be fun to watch.”

  “And then I'll ride whatever bull is chosen for me when I get there, since I don't have Del Mar anymore,” Blaine said before shoving his sandwich into his mouth.

  ***

  Anxiety, anticipation, and adrenaline flowed without end through my body while I tried and sleep the night before we left for the rodeo. I could honestly say I had never thought I would be preparing for this...ever. I pictured myself handing my husband his briefcase and maybe a travel mug full of coffee before he headed out the door to conquer the business world. Instead I've spent the last four hours preparing for Alex to rope a cow.

  By the horns.

  Oh, my bad; I mean a steer.

  I threw my arms over my face and sighed loudly, having no idea how I got myself into this life. Well, I know exactly how, I guess I still can't believe I am actually living it.

  I remembered Addison telling me all about Blaine, and how he was into this lifestyle. I laughed, especially when I tried to picture her wearing a cowboy boots, sitting in the stands watching the show with all the other rodeo wives.

  Now, it was my turn. I looked over at Alex, trying to figure out this complex creature that I fell in love with. Sometimes I long for that playful and eager twenty-two year old that didn't have a care in the world; but then I think about how much he's changed and matured. It is crazy to think that it was only a little over two years ago that he was just some college drop-out living off the coattails of his older sister.

  I groaned, frustrated that I am unable to fall asleep, so I get out of bed and decide that maybe a glass of warm milk will help. I stumbled my way down the hallway in the darkness, and gripped the banister tightly while I tip-toe downstairs.

  The kitchen was dimly lit by the moon creeping into the big windows, so I didn’t need to turn on a light to find my way to the refrigerator. I grabbed the carton of milk, and sighed when I noticed that the plastic cap was gone.

  “Oh, Alex, can't you ever use a glass?”

  Kicking the refrigerator door shut with my foot, I heard a soft chuckle and glanced over at the table before reaching for a clean glass on the dish rack.

  “Can't sleep either, Jer?” The words escaped my mouth before my brain actually registered what I've just said. I dropped the milk carton to the floor. I could feel the milk pouring out, spilling all over my bare feet. I stood, horrified, willing to pinch myself but I couldn’t.

  “It's okay, Riley. This is your home now,” Jeremiah whispered.

  “Oh, shit! Riley! Baby, are you okay?” Alex lifted me up from the floor, and slipped in the spilled milk. “Riley? Oh, shit...”

  I moaned, letting him know I was okay.

  I hope I'm okay, what the hell just happened?

  Alex grabbed me, trying to pick me up off the floor, and lifted me into his arms. He reached for the kitchen light and I covered my eyes when the room became illuminated. My heart thumped so hard from my chest I thought it was going to jump out of my skin, and I peered between my fingers at the table.

  “He's gone,” I whispered.

  “What, baby? I didn't hear you,” Alex said, frantically trying to keep me in his arms and check me for an injury. “Shit, you cut your forehead.”

  “I'm okay,” I said, forcing a smile to try and reassure Alex.

  “No, you're not. You might need stitches.”

  “Let me down, I'm okay. I just need to sit for a sec.”

  Alex gently set me down, and pulled out a chair for me.

  I sat, directly across from where, I swear on my life, Jeremiah was just sitting.

  “What happened? I was sleeping and all of a sudden I heard the door slam,” Alex said, kneeling in front of me while holding my hands.

  “The door slammed? I don't know why.” I curled my lip in wonder. “I think I was sleep walking. And you didn't put the damn cap back on the milk!”

  Alex smiled sheepishly and looked away. “Sorry. Bad habit.”

  “Yeah, tell me about it.” I glanced over by the fridge and noticed the remnants of milk splashed all over the floor. A trail of milky footprints covered the hardwood.

  “Pass me that dish towel, please.”

  “I'll clean it, baby,” he said, getting up from his knees and reaching his hand to help me up. “Go start the shower, I'll be there in five.”

  My mind was racing while I stood under the captivating spray of the shower. I tried and piece together the events that had just taken place, or so I thought had just take place. Maybe I was overtired and I dreamed Jeremiah, imagined seeing him sitting on a chair in his kitchen.

  “It's okay,” I whispered his words back to myself.

  I don't think I should tell Alex, he will probably think I'm crazy if I do.

  Should I tell anyone?

  I closed my eyes and leaned my face under the water, it stung the cut on my forehead and I winced from the pain.

  “I don't think it's deep enough for stitches,” Alex said, opening the shower door and climbing in behind me. “It's not bleeding anymore.”

  “Good.”


  My eyes hadn’t even closed for an hour before the alarm went off and Alex and I groggily woke up. Time to pack the truck for the drive to Buffalo, a mere sixty miles away.

  Isaac staggered out of his bedroom, rubbing his eyes and pouting his lips at me. “It's too early, mom,” he whined.

  “Tell me about it. Get dressed and we'll stop for breakfast on the way,” I scruffed his hair with my fingers and smiled. “Time to wake up the princess. Hopefully she's in a better mood than you.”

  “Where's Alex?” Isaac asked.

  “Outside packing the truck. Don't forget your backpack.”

  “Kay, I'm going to help him.”

  “Okay, buddy.”

  ***

  Blaine produced his credit card when the grumpy older woman behind the desk at the hotel gave him the total for the two rooms he's booked. I'm baffled when she doesn't even same fazed by his ridiculous country boy charm and perfect smile. Instead she punched some keys on the computer and handed him four room cards.

  “There you go. All set,” the woman said. “Three twelve, and 314. Third floor.”

  “Thank you,” Blaine said in a raspy voice, and leaned in to squint at the tiny lettering on her name tag. “Maureen.”

  “Enjoy your stay,” Maureen groaned.

  So much for service with a smile; then again, I didn't see any golden arches outside.

  Isaac pressed the button for the elevator as we all stood back, watching the numbers above our heads light up. When it reached the lobby it chimed as the doors opened. Isaac rushed inside and jumped, giggling.

  “Isaac, don't do that!” Addison scolded. “What if you jumped so hard you got us stuck?”

  “Well, we would still be on the bottom floor, Aunt Addy,” Isaac said, sticking his tongue out.

  Sarcasm. I can only guess where he got that trait from.

  “Isaac, see that?” I asked, pointing up to the corner of the elevator. “That camera sees everything we do. You don't want us getting in trouble do you?”

  “No, mom,” he frowns, and crosses his arms.

  “Can you push number three, please?” I asked, bumping his arm with my hip, trying to get him to smile.

  His frown changed and he smiled as he pushed the button, closing the door and sending us up to the third floor.

  ***

  “Oh, in the name of all things that are holy,” I gushed, gaping and wide-eyed at all the delicious man-candy that was currently walking around us.

  Addison laughed and hooked her arm through mine. “Welcome to the rodeo, baby.”

  I couldn’t even hide my goofy grin if I tried. I walked with her through the crowds, checking out every Stetson and pair of chaps in my current surroundings.

  “I'm sorry I ever made fun of you, this is just...holy freaking hot!” I laughed while checking out a cowboy that was leaning his back against a fence. His arms spread out across the top of the steel, looking far too gorgeous to be actually real.

  “Ahem.” Alex cleared his throat. “We're right behind you, you know.”

  “Just because we're tied to the porch, boys—doesn't mean we can't bark at the cars,” Addison said, turning her head to look at Blaine and Alex and winked her eye.

  “Woof, woof, baby,” I growled as we pass the orgasm-on-legs leaning against the fence. Halfway through the tour of the grounds I caught view of a small building that houses bathrooms, and I turned to Addison. “I need to use the bathroom, can you take Scarlett?”

  When I finished I slipped my purse over my shoulder and unlocked the door. It flung open and Alex stepped in, pushing me almost back down on to the toilet.

  “Alex! What the hell?”

  He locked the door behind him and turned to glare at me, I stood up straight and gave him a dirty look right back.

  “Woof, woof, baby, eh?” he said in a low rumble.

  “Oh, I was—”

  Alex pulled my face into his and kissed me hard, taking my breath away, causing my knees buckle.

  I pulled away. “You know I was kidding.” I panted as my legs trembled.

  “I know that. I just had to walk behind you for almost an hour, don't you know how hard that was?” he whispered, pushing his body into mine.

  “You are not getting some in the bathroom, Alex,” I snapped, irritated but totally turned on.

  “No, but knowing you'll be walking around with wet panties because of me makes me almost as happy.” He grinned, and kissed me on the cheek before turning around and unlocking the door to leave.

  I am able to maintain a somewhat straight face for the rest of the morning, and when the afternoon hits it is time for Alex and Blaine to get ready for their first time team roping in this setting.

  “You've got to be kidding,” I burst when Alex walked out of the bathroom in our hotel room. Scarlett sat on the bed beside me and clapped her hands.

  He turned in a three-sixty and tipped his cowboy hat at us. “Well?”

  “Well.” I smirked. “Woof, woof, baby.”

  “I thought you might say that.” He grinned. “If the boys back home could see me now.”

  “Oh, they will!” I laughed and pull out my phone to take a picture of him. “Pose.”

  Alex gave me his best western James Bond stance and I clicked the photo.

  “This is going on Facebook, I hope you know that!”

  Blaine and Alex walked in front of Addison, our kids and me down the hallway of the hotel.

  “What a view, eh Cole?” I asked, sighing.

  “I never thought this would be us, I'll be honest,” Addison whispered as an ear-to-ear smile shone across her face.

  “You and I have far too similar thoughts, girl.”

  The stands around the outdoor area are just as uncomfortable as they look, and not something I should be sitting on while wearing such a short dress. I glanced over and frowned at Addison in her jeans. For once I regret dressing this nicely.

  Scarlett bounced on my lap and clapped her hands wildly when the first few riders entered and gave us all in the crowd quite the show.

  I gasped when one of the heeler's—I think that's what Blaine called them—lassoed the steer and it fell to the ground.

  “Is it okay?” I asked, loudly.

  “It's just fine, ma'am,” an older man sitting a few feet away said, smiling at me.

  I smiled back at him and held Scarlett tightly when Alex and Blaine were announced next. They sat on their horses inside a steel surrounding and reached their arms out to bump fists.

  Just like Blaine said it would happen, Alex whipped his long rope through the air and it flew, hooking around the horns on the steer, turning it around while Blaine quickly tethered his lasso around both of its back legs. It was over in a flash, and my heart finally could resume beating. I realize people were cheering, which I assume is a good thing, and I stood to clap too. Whistling with my fingers in my mouth, beyond thrilled and relieved that they're both okay.

  “Wow! That was so cool!” Isaac shouted. “I want to do that too!”

  “Oh, no, baby,” I teased. “Not you too!”

  “Mom, that's so cool!”

  Blaine and Alex finished with a time of fifteen seconds, which I'm told is quite an impressive duration, considering Alex hadn't ever done something like this professionally until now. They both haven't stopped grinning since we left the rodeo grounds, and Alex draped his arm over my shoulder while we walk into the lobby of the hotel to change for dinner.

  “I'm so proud of you, baby.” I smiled and kissed his cheek.

  “Me too.” Addison smiled, tears forming in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around Alex, hugging him tightly. “Mom and Dad will flip when I send them the video I took of the two of you.”

  I didn't even think of taking a picture or video, so I'm thankful that Addison did. We took the elevator to the third floor and changed for dinner. A local steakhouse where many of the other cowboys go after a victorious day, so I've been told.

  Alex changed out of his clot
hes and put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

  “You should keep those in a drawer by the bed, baby. I might want you to wear them again.”

  “Oh, yeah?” He smiled.

  “Yeah,” I purred.

  After changing into a pair of jeans, nude three-inch heels and a pale pink camisole, I quickly curled the ends of my hair and pinned half of it up, letting the rest spill over my shoulders.

  The steakhouse was packed when we arrived, and Scarlett was ready to have a meltdown so I was thankful we didn’t have to wait long for a table. The server brought Scarlett and Seth each a cup full of crayons so then could scribble all over the brown paper covering the table.

  Looking around the huge restaurant I recognize a few faces from the stands earlier today, some cowboys too.

  “Blaine Blackstock! I sure was surprised when I saw your name back on the lineup!” A man said and reached his hand out to Blaine, who quickly stood to shake it.

  “Trace, good to see you, buddy.” Blaine smiled.

  “You're all good to go tomorrow then?” Trace asked.

  “I am,” Blaine said and released his hand. “Trace, this is my wife, Addison. That's Alex, Riley, Scarlett, and this is my son, Seth.”

  “Well, nice to meet you all. I'm Trace Forrester. Blaine's biggest competitor.” He planted on the charm and tipped his hat to us.

  “We'll see, Trace. We'll see,” Blaine said as he shook his hand again. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Good to have you back, Blackstock.”

  While two servers were placing plates of food in front of each of us, Alex dropped his fork on the ground and bent down to get it. I felt his hands on my foot, they squeezed my ankle and slid my heel off. My body tingled at his delicate touch.

  When he sat back up, he brought my foot up with his hand and set it on his chair, right between his legs.

  “Miss?” He said to the waitress. “Can I have a new fork please?”

  I watched him expectantly, but he didn’t look at me at all, not even for a second. He pulled my foot right into his crotch, pressing it hard against his growing erection. My insides screamed and I wiggled my toes against his jeans.

  Look at me, damn it!

  But, Alex didn’t. He carried on a conversation with Blaine all while I was rubbing him with the full length of my bare foot. I cleared my throat, and pushed harder but Alex still wouldn’t look at me.