She went through the motions of calling the airline, a car service and Collette, who promised to meet her at the airport. Thank God for Collette, otherwise she’d be a wreck.
She was packed in record time, but stayed until the driver called to tell her he was near. That’s when she made her way downstairs. She went to say her goodbyes and found that the family was out and about. Addison was happy for that. She could walk out of Caleb’s life with a clean slate and never look back.
Clutching his head, Caleb was still sitting in the empty stall that he’d just shared with Addison. When he glanced up, he saw Noah in the doorway. “Don’t start,” Caleb said, rising to his feet. He brushed the hay off his jeans and started toward the door, but Noah blocked him.
“Get out of my way, Noah.”
“No.” Noah shoved him in the chest, and Caleb nearly fell backward, but righted himself.
“I’m not in the mood.” Caleb’s eyes were dark as black ice.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Noah asked. “How could you break that girl’s heart?”
Caleb paced the stall. “Listen, Noah, I told you I’m not going to talk about this with you right now.”
“Then who with?” Noah glanced around him. “You don’t have many friends ’cause you’re always on the go. What are you running from? When are you going to stop long enough to see what’s right in front of your face?”
Caleb lifted his chin defiantly. “And what’s that?”
“That your ideal woman was right here. I saw it, hell, we all saw it. She’s crazy about you and you feel the same way, but your dumb ass let her walk away.”
Caleb rushed toward Noah and pushed him against the stall door. “Don’t talk like you know everything, Noah.” He pointed his index finger in his brother’s face. “Not everyone can find two great loves in one lifetime like you.”
“How would you know?” Noah countered. “You’ve never allowed yourself to be vulnerable and go there.”
“I don’t have to listen to this.” This time Caleb was able to push past him and head to the stable exit.
“You’ll regret this, Caleb. I promise you. You’ll regret ever letting a good woman like Addison slip through your fingers.”
As Caleb left the stables, he wondered if Noah was right. Would he regret letting Addison get away?
“Another tissue?” Collette asked as she rubbed Addison’s back.
Addison had returned the day before, and she’d immediately gone to her room. She hadn’t emerged from it in twenty-four hours. When her father had tried to see her, she’d refused to see him and told him to go away. She didn’t want to hear him say “I told you.” It would be like pouring salt in her wound, so she remained in bed. She’d been stone-faced when Collette had picked her up yesterday and hadn’t wanted to talk, but eventually the façade she’d put on to get her through the day had crumbled and she was now crying in front of her best friend.
“Yes, thank you.” Addison accepted the tissue.
“I know it’s hard, Addy,” Collette said. “Whenever you’re as connected physically to a man, it connects you to them emotionally. We’re just wired that way. But this too shall pass.”
“I should have stuck to my original plan of a one-night stand,” Addison said, scooting to sit up. “That’s where I made my mistake.”
“It wasn’t a mistake to fall in love. And I don’t want you thinking that way.”
“Why not? It’s the truth. My love was thrown back in my face.”
“Because a one-night stand wasn’t in the cards for you; you’re just not made that way. It was meant for you to meet Caleb and fall in love. Isn’t it better that you did and you know what it feels like?”
“If you’re going to tell me it was better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, I’m going to hit you with this pillow,” Addison threatened and held the pillow up.
“Threat by pillow,” Collette laughed and shuddered. “I’m so scared.”
Addison swung the pillow at Collette’s head. The next thing she knew, Collette had grabbed one too and they were in a true pillow fight, just like when they were in middle school. Eventually, they yelled ceasefire and fell back onto the bed in a fit of laughter.
“We haven’t done that in years.” Addison turned to her side and peered at her friend.
“I know. It felt good, right?” Collette said.
Addison smiled. It did. It had taken her mind off Caleb, if only for a few moments. Collette was right. She couldn’t regret the time she’d spent with Caleb—it had been the most incredible experience of her life. She would always remember him fondly as her first love.
Caleb sighed as he packed his suitcase at the hotel and prepared to hit the road for a rodeo event in Waco, Texas. It had been several weeks since Rylee’s wedding, and he wasn’t ready to go back home, so he’d signed up for a few more events. He hadn’t been able to stay at Golden Oaks after Addison had left. It would’ve been too hard to sleep in his bed that they’d shared and remember how good it had been between them. Remember how good she’d felt in his arms. Remember her soft moans as he’d thrust inside her welcoming body.
God, just thinking about it now made him hard as granite. He had to focus on something else, like his next event and how he could win in bull riding. Another rider had been beating him left and right in the last few events, probably because his heart wasn’t it. He was still managing to do well with steer roping and tie-down roping, but he had to get his whole self back in the game because losing in bull riding was costing him money.
The next event in Waco had a pot of fifty thousand dollars attached and would go well with the nest egg he’d been setting aside. Caleb was sure everyone in the family thought he was spending his money on booze and women, but that was far from true. He was saving his earnings. He just had to figure out what to do with it all. Investing in Uncle Duke’s next business venture might be a sound way to go.
After he won these next events, Caleb planned to hang up his rodeo hat and start getting down to business, namely the oil business. Duke was ready to hand over operations of Hart Enterprises to him, and it was time he took over the reins. He knew that didn’t sit well with Bree, who thought because she was the most business-minded of Duke’s daughters that she should take over. Or his son, Trent, who thought Caleb was taking his place. If Duke truly wanted to leave Hart Enterprises to Trent, Caleb would step aside and work underneath him, but that’s not what Duke wanted. And Caleb wasn’t about to pass over this opportunity to show his family that he was more than just a bull rider. Yes indeed, he was a businessman.
“Where are we going?” Addison asked Skylar. Their friend was being particularly cagey about where they were headed for ladies’ night. Addison, Collette, Emma, Violet and Skylar had already left Dallas nearly an hour ago and were still on the road in a limo.
“You’ll see,” Skylar replied with a mischievous grin. “It’s right up your alley.”
They laughed and talked another hour or so before the limousine finally came to a halt. When they exited the vehicle, Addison looked up at the arena. “What’s this all about?” she asked.
Collette poked her with her index finger and pointed in the direction of the marquee. It read “Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo.” Addison’s stomach plummeted instantly, and she thought she might faint. She hadn’t been near a rodeo, much less a horse, in nearly four weeks because she hadn’t wanted to think about Caleb. She’d been doing a good job of it ... until now.
“I don’t think so,” Collette said. “We’re leaving.” She started to get back inside the limo.
“What’s the problem?” Skylar asked. “I mean, I saw the pictures of Addison with a certain Caleb Hart at his sister’s double wedding with Kenya James. Oops, I mean Kenya Kingston now.”
Addison’s eyes widened. “How do you know about that?”
Skylar laughed and turned to the other girls. “C’mon, Addison. The pictures of the wedding were everywhere. I mean, Kenya and Lucas released them to the press. Imagine my surprise when I saw you in them. I had to Google him and find out who he was.”
“And when you found out he was a bull rider, you decided to bring her here?” Collette said. “That’s just great. You’re a real piece of work, Skylar. I knew I was right about you years ago and should have steered clear.”
“What’s the problem?” Skylar bunched her shoulders. “I mean, I thought you’d be excited to see your main squeeze, Addison. Or has he already tired of you?”
“Oh, you’re a real bitch!” Collette lunged for Skylar, but Addison and the other girls held her back.
“Collette, please,” Addison whispered in her ear. “Please don’t make this worse than it already it is.”
“Fine, fine.” Collette tried to shake free of them. “Let me go.”
“It’s none of your business what has or hasn’t happened between me and Caleb.”
“You and Caleb?” Emma asked, raising a brow.
“So there was something going on between you?” Skylar said. “Since Vegas?” When Addison didn’t respond, Skylar continued, “Aren’t you the sly devil? You certainly know how to keep a secret. Well, if it’s over between you, you should have no problem going to the rodeo. I mean, unless you’re afraid to see him.”
“I’m not afraid.”
“No? Prove it.”
Collette walked past Skylar and faced Addison. “You don’t have to prove anything to her, Addy. We can leave now or just stay out here in the limo and drink up all this champagne until it’s over.”
Addison shook her head. “No, she’s right. It’s over between Caleb and me, so let’s go.” She started walking toward the entrance without looking back.
Collette caught up to her after she’d walked several paces. She looped her arm with Addison’s. “You don’t have to do this, you know.”
Addison turned to Collette. “I know that, but did you ever think I’m doing it for myself? To prove that I’m over him? I’m not as fragile as you may think.”
“Alright, then I’m with you.”
Once they’d procured some drinks and found their seats, Addison sat to watch the show. She was doing well until she heard the announcer say Caleb’s name. It seemed like she was holding her breath forever before he finally came out for the first event, Bareback Bronco Riding, and it went well. He scored high and was among the event’s top riders.
“How you doing?” Collette asked from her side.
Addison sipped her beer. “Fine.” She was far from it. Her stomach had curled in knots at just hearing Caleb’s name, but she wasn’t going to show weakness. Or at least she didn’t plan to.
After one too many beers to relax her nerves, however, she went to the ladies’ room to relieve herself and that’s when she saw him.
Caleb was surrounded by nearly half-a-dozen women as he signed autographs. Most of them were dressed in tight jeans and even tighter tops, which, given the size of their bosoms, was completely inappropriate, but Caleb didn’t seem to mind. He seemed to be eating up all the attention. And if Addison wasn’t mistaken, he was flirting with them.
One of the women was so blatant, she was bending down to retrieve a program for Caleb to sign, giving him a view of her ample breasts. His eyes were certainly wandering to do just that when he saw Addison from across the hall.
Time stood still for a moment and they just looked at each other, drinking in their fill, but just as quickly Addison remembered he didn’t want her. He wanted this, this bachelor life with a different woman each night. Well, he was welcome to it.
“Addison!” she heard Caleb call out, but she’d already begun walking back toward the bleachers.
“Dammit!” Caleb cursed. Why did Addison have to see him with those groupies? He was just being friendly but wasn’t interested in any of them. He hadn’t wanted to be with any woman since Addison, so when he’d seen her standing behind the crowd staring at him, his heart had stopped. What is she doing here? he had wondered. Is she here to see me? He had to know and yelled out her name, but she was already walking away, walking away from him because he’d hurt her and she didn’t want another dose.
He caught up to her before she reached the bleachers. He grabbed her arm. “Addison, wait!”
She spun on her heel and glared at him. Her stare was so icy cold that he immediately removed his hand. “Can we talk?”
When she didn’t answer, he continued, “It’s so good to see you.” And it was. She looked damn good in snug skinny jeans, a sparkly top and leather boots.
“What do you want?” she asked impatiently.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for the show.”
He took a deep breath. She wasn’t going to make this easy. “I know that, but—”
“You want to know if I’m here for you?” she asked. “Well I’m not. My bitch of a girlfriend sprung this on me when we arrived, so no, I’m not here for you.”
Caleb nodded. “I deserve that. But that doesn’t mean I’m not happy you’re here.”
Addison chuckled bitterly. “Why? So I can get you off?” She came closer until she was inches away from his face. “Do you need to take me in another utility closet?” She glanced behind him. “Or how about we go out there,” she said, pointing in the direction of the arena, “and just put on a show for the crowd? Would that help your enormous ego?”
Caleb was shocked, not by her words, but that it showed him she still had feelings for him. There was a fine line between love and hate. And the hate she was spewing was out of character for her, which told him there was still hope.
Just then the lights blinked, reminding him that he had to get backstage and get ready for the next event: bull riding.
Caleb began walking backward. “I know you’re mad at me, Addison, but we need to talk. There’s unfinished business between us. Promise you’ll stay after.”
Addison shook her head. “No.”
He stopped and stared at her. “Addison. We need to talk. You know we do. Promise me.” The lights blinked again. “Promise me, Addison.”
Several seconds ticked by before she eventually said, “I’ll stay.” Her words were heaven sent. He went backstage, and he felt like he was walking on air.
Chapter 15
Addison didn’t know why she’d agreed to stay at the rodeo. In her head, she knew she should leave, but her heart, her heart wouldn’t allow her to do that. She wanted to stay and hear what he had to say. He was right when he said they had unfinished business, but was he ready to pick up where they left off or did he just want more of the same?
“Is everything okay?” Collette asked when Addison came back to sit on the bleachers. The rest of the girls were deep in conversation and hadn’t seen her return.
“I just ran into Caleb.”
“And?”
“He said he wanted to talk, that we had unfinished business.”
“I don’t know, Addison. I think you should steer clear of him,” Collette replied.
“How can I, when he’s here?”
“Because you’re wearing your heart on your sleeve right now, and I fear that if Caleb puts the moves on you, like the player he is, you’ll crumble and fall back into his bed and then where will you be?”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Colette.”
“I’m just being honest and so should you. You know I’m right. Can you really be objective about this?”
Deep down, Addison knew Collette was right. She should go, but her feet remained rooted in place. Maybe if she just saw him on the bull one last time, she could free herself?
The announcer called out the first rider, who proceeded to last on the ferocious bull for all of about ten seconds. The second rider
didn’t fare much better. And so it continued for nearly a half-hour before Caleb’s name was called.
Addison wanted to turn away, but this might be the very last time she would see him and she needed to have one final look.
The announcer said, “And Caleb Hart is going to take a shot.” His arm came down and the gates opened.
Seeing Caleb on the bull was frightening, especially because he was determinedly hanging on as the bull tried to flail him about. Addison’s hand flew to her mouth as she watched Caleb thrash around on the bull’s back. There was a moment when she thought the bull was going to throw him, but he doggedly held on.
Addison held her breath. It looked like he was going to make it without incident. The buzzer rang, signaling he’d won the round. As he was about to disembark, the bull made a run for it, flinging Caleb off its back like he was nothing more than a ragdoll. Addison watched in horror as Caleb hit the back of the arena enclosure, and before they could get help, the bull came charging at him and stomped him in the back.
“Omigod!” Addison turned away into Collette’s shoulder. She couldn’t watch him be pummeled to death.
“It’s okay, it’s okay.” Collette hugged her tightly to her bosom. “They’ve got him now.”
Addison turned back around and saw the entire rodeo community was on its feet as emergency medical technicians took Caleb out on a stretcher. “I’ve got to go to him,” Addison said and began pushing past several people in the bleachers.
“Okay, I’m behind you,” said Collette, apologizing as she pushed her way through the throng of people eager to see what had happened.
Addison made it out of the bleachers and through the crowd by bulldozing anyone in her way. Her focus was singular: Caleb. She knew he was injured, but she didn’t know how severe. Maybe it wasn’t as bad as it appeared from the bleachers?
By the sheer tenacity of her will, she made it backstage, even past the guards who were trying to keep the onlookers at bay. That’s when she saw the ambulance; she made a run for it as the EMTs put Caleb’s lifeless body inside the vehicle and immobilized him for transport. He was on a long spinal board, and his neck was in a cervical collar.
Harts of Arizona Series Page 71