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anniesocsandgeneralstore · 7 months

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here to stay | rhett abbott x oc

Summary: Tessa and Riley go to the rodeo. Rhett invites them to go to the bonfire after. (wc: 7062)

Warnings: possible rodeo inaccuracies (im trying my best), royal abbott makes an appearance, rhett being flirty, flashbacks, alcohol mention, background ocs

✎……PREVIOUS CHAPTER || MASTERLIST || NEXT CHAPTER

The Amelia County Fairgrounds were always busy the night of a rodeo. With not much else to do, residents of Wabang paid five bucks a ticket to come watch cowboys from all over compete for the grand prize in their category — and the chance to move on to the next stage in the season.

As one of the main draws for the town, the rodeo coordinators made sure the place looked nice. Bulb lights strung up around the concessions area and outdoor riding pit. Turned on long before the sun went down and kept that way long after it set. Concessions were always well stocked with the usual fair commodities; deep fried anything and nachos mostly. Any kind of souvenir you could think of was available at what was most likely a jacked-up price. Sweatshirts and stetsons, big belt buckles and necklaces on twine for a bit of Western flair. And of course, they made sure every event was easy for those out-of-towners to find. Pole bending and barrel racing in the barn pavilions on the east side — bull riding and calf roping in the main arena.

The fairgrounds were teeming with life by the time Tessa paid for her ticket and walked inside. A sea of cowboy hats and trucker caps weaving amongst themselves. Getting their popcorn and trying to decide what events to watch. Tessa smiled, taking it all in for a moment. The loud chatter and country music, smells of deep-fried Oreos and leather. It had been so long since she was able to go to a rodeo. Her work schedule was so busy and on her days off she usually had personal chores that needed taking care of.

Not tonight, though. Tonight, she was at the rodeo without a worry in her mind. And it felt relaxing in some way, despite the noise and the energy of the place. A smile overcame her as she weaved her way through the people, toward the funnel cake stand.

She knew without a doubt that she would beat Riley there. No matter what her friend did, she was always late. Didn’t matter the pre-planning or promises to be on time or even early. But she always showed up — even if it was fifteen to twenty minutes late every time. Maybe Tessa would get a funnel cake to occupy her time.

But as she walked, hands shoved in her Carhartt pockets, she bumped into someone. Her shoulder knocked into their arm, throwing off her balance. A hand shot out to steady her.

“Oh, m’sorry!” she apologized immediately, looking up into their face.

It was Royal Abbott. All hard lines and furrowed brows. His goatee beard greyed and hiding a frown. Hat pulled low over his brown eyes that looked down at her now with an expression she couldn’t quite read. She could see Rhett in him clearly, even more so now than when they were in high school. They held that same kind of quiet, that same kind of hardness. For a moment, as she looked up at him wide-eyed, all she could think about was Linda’s story — but then it quickly faded from her mind. Because that’s all it was. A story.

Royal let go of her elbow with a grunt.

“No problem. How’s your dad doin’?” he asked courteously, voice a rough gravel low in his throat.

Tessa was taken aback. She didn’t think he would remember her, much like his son. She also didn’t think he would remember her father’s surgery a few years ago. But then again, the ranchers of cattle and horses alike in Wabang were a tight-knit group. Chatting at feed stores and bars, sitting down over cups of coffee at Odessa’s with hats on the table and dirt under their fingernails. Hard-working men, each and every one.

“He’s like a new man since the knee replacement,” she replied with a small grin.

“Glad t’hear it.” Royal glanced around the rodeo grounds. “You still doin’ any racin’?”

“Nah, I quit after high school.”

“Shame, y’were good.”

Tessa didn’t know how to respond to that. And never did. Everyone in Wabang always said that. That she was good, that she shouldn’t have given it up. But just because she was talented didn’t mean she wanted to do it forever. She had other goals she wanted to achieve. And riding in rodeos every weekend, traveling all the time, would have prevented her from doing the things she really wanted to do. There were more important things than blue ribbons and curving barrels. She didn’t want that to be her life.

“Well, good t’see ya, kid. Tell y’r mom and dad I said hi.” Royal patted her on the shoulder with a closed-lip smile. “Have’a good night.”

“Thanks, you too,” she said.

Then he walked away, towards the trailers where the bull riders liked to hang out before their appointed time slots. Tessa’s heart seemed to skip a beat as she watched him for a moment. Right. Rhett would be here tonight. He might see her this time, give her a wave or even a smile. She wanted to slap herself.

Now that they what? Talked once? Jesus Christ. It was like she was suddenly fourteen again and going weak in the knees at the mere sight of him. She was better than that. Had grown past that. They were adults now. It didn’t matter that he was still cute and it didn’t matter that her stomach was no filled with the flapping of wings. She wouldn’t fall for it again. It hurt too much all those years ago to let it.

Tessa shook her head and got in line for funnel cake.

After tearing through nearly a fourth of the deep-fried fair food, fingers sticky, and lips covered in powdered sugar, Riley finally arrived. Bumping into her friend’s shoulder from behind with a grin. Riley looked as beautiful as ever. No need for makeup that she never wanted to put on anyway. Hair dark and curly, laying on her shoulders softly. She stood nearly a head taller than Tessa, confident with shoulders back and a smirk on her face. They laughed and embraced, Tessa trying not to get funnel cake everywhere as they swayed from side to side and spouted their I missed yous. It really had been too long since they were able to see each other.

“I jus’don’t see why ya recommended this whole book series t’me for her t’not end up with Dara,” Riley said as they headed east towards the barn pavilions.

Tessa held up the funnel cake between them so they could share. “Because it’s good. I like her’n Ali together.”

“It is good — but…Dara could’ve at least stayed!”

“Did ya cry?” Tessa questioned with a small smile.

Riley looked straight ahead, eyes narrowed. “Maybe a little.”

“I was ballin’ m’eyes out after I finished the last one.”

“‘Course you were.” Riley smiled as they passed by the trailers used for hauling bulls. “At three AM?”

“You know it,” Tessa laughed.

And she was about to go on, tell the story of how she sat and stared at the wall for a good ten minutes before she could go on with the book’s epilogue, when she ran directly into a solid chest. Her face smashed into their torso, now empty funnel cake plate clattering to the ground. The liquid heat of embarrassment licked at her cheeks as she stumbled back a bit.

How many people was she going to run into today?

“Sorry! I — sorry, I — I thought y’saw me,” a quiet, low voice rumbled out as a hand grabbed her elbow to steady her.

Tessa knew that voice. Had heard it only a few days before on the front porch of the Boy’s Home. That sting and that thrill ran through her like a dam was just broken — the river rushing down her spine as she looked up into his face. Rhett Abbott’s face. Eyes big and blue, darkened by the fading light. A small smile quirked the corner of his mouth. He wore green plaid and his riding vest, chaps slung low around his hips, and stetson perched on his head. He somehow looked even better like this. In his element. Rough and ready — the dirt kicked up from the pit already clinging to his sweaty face.

How many Abbotts was she going to run into today?

“I-I didn’t. Sorry,” she finally managed to answer, clearing her throat as she looked down at his boots.

Rhett ran his thumb over her bicep before letting go of her arm. “S’alright. How ya doin’?”

Tessa glanced over at Riley. Who stood off to the side looking between the two of them with raised, intrigued brows. She had yet to mention that she talked to Rhett a few days before. That she suddenly remembered her crush and her heartache and just how handsome he still was. That he smiled when he said her name and it made her heart race just like when she was fourteen.

That she felt her heart beating wildly at that very moment as she looked back up at Rhett. No. She wouldn’t act like she did back then. In school when it felt like if anyone even so much as looked at her she wanted to die. Retreating in on herself as self-preservation, taking no risks, staying invisible. Tessa knew intimately the kind of regret that could grow from that seed. They would talk for a few minutes and then move on with their lives. It was just like talking with anyone else.

“Good.” Lifting her head, she smiled — and he blinked at her, his own grin only growing. “Had the day off n’Riley invited me. Should be fun.”

“Good, good…” he trailed off, fingers fidgeting with the frays of his chaps.

“You? How you been?” she asked, remembering her manners.

“Fine, jus’workin’.” Rhett wiped at his mouth, as he shifted his weight. “Um, I’ride in about an hour…If ya wanna watch.”

“‘Course! Wouldn’t wanna miss local boy Rhett Abbott ride,” she laughed and he looked down at his feet. “Just gonna catch a bit’a the barrel racin’. Used to do that in — “

“I know,” Rhett said, something sincere and open in his face. “I — I remember.”

No matter how much she didn’t want to feel it, she couldn’t stop the sweet burn of being remembered in some way from piercing her heart.

“Well, uh — see ya in an hour, I guess.” Tessa grinned, inching away towards Riley so they could start walking away from him and away from the building heat in her chest.

“There’s gonna be a bonfire. After. Out in the east pasture. You — “ He glanced at Riley and blinked hard as if suddenly remembering she was even there. “You guys should come.”

The fire crackled and burned, flames licking at the inky black sky. Smoke rose in ringlets and danced up, up, up to the stars. Ashes landed on her lap — the final resting place of the logs used to fuel the flame. In the darkness just beyond the fire’s light, young people mingled and danced to the portable radio someone had brought. Drinks were passed around. Stories and laughter were shared. And Tessa stared into the flames, unable to look away even though her face felt like it was burning hot.

Really, she just didn’t want to see Rhett Abbott or the girl he had walked off into the woods with.

She knew, deep down somewhere, that there was never any chance. That he would never notice her. Who was she kidding, getting her hopes up? Why would he take any interest in the quiet girl who preferred horses to people and sat alone at bonfires — too afraid her drunk friends would get out of hand for her to even drink? But no matter how much she tried to think logically. About him being none-the-wiser and how she could barely speak two words to him anyway. Her heart still ached. Tears still built in her eyes, smearing the roaring flame into blurred shapes of orange and yellow.

What she wasn’t willing to admit to herself, however, was that she didn’t care that it was Rhett. That it was Olivia Barlow who had taken his hand with a soft giggle and a bit lip smile. That they were probably off in the woods swapping spit or more. It didn’t matter that it was Rhett and it didn’t matter that it was Olivia. It just wasn’t her.

Because really, in her heart of hearts, Tessa just wanted to be wanted.

And that was all.

“We’ll think about it,” Riley answered for them with a closed-mouth smile. “Come on, we’re gonna miss the racin’.”

Then she took Tessa’s elbow and pulled her away. Scooping up the dropped plate as she went. Tessa looked back at Rhett one more time, who had turned to watch them leave — expression unreadable. So much like his father. But his blue eyes shone like gems in the dying light of day.

“The hell was that?” Riley questioned in a harsh whisper, tossing the paper plate into the nearest trash bin.

“I don’know.” Tessa shrugged, funnel cake suddenly wanting to make a reappearance.

“Y’r face is givin’ you away. Y’re all red.”

With a groan, Tessa told her friend the whole story. About the clothing donation and Rhett not remembering her and their small conversation on the porch. How it was nice and she didn’t think much of it besides how pleased her inner fourteen-year-old self felt. And by the time her tale was finished, Tessa going over their parting words, they had entered the barn pavilion where their high school graduation was held. Only now it was filled to the brim with a captive audience, barrels set up on the show floor, and a young girl on a black mare curving around them at high speeds.

“That’s it — so, I’don’know, I’guess we’re friends now?” Tessa felt like she was shouting, struggling to be heard over the crowd as they cheered on the racer. “S’just one conversation.”

Riley took the lead in going up into the stands. They sat down at the end of a row with a good view of the show floor. The black mare and her rider had just finished, the girl waving to the crowd as she trotted off back into the stables. Her smile was small and tight. Tessa looked at the scoreboard, and it made sense. She only ever smiled like that when she didn’t do as well as she wanted, too.

“Up next, Addie Zoglmann from Deadwood, South Dakota!” the announcer spoke over the crackling speaker.

“Well, he clearly doesn’t wanna be jus’friends with ya,” Riley said, eyes focused on the barrels getting reset for the next rider.

“What?” Tessa blinked owlishly at her.

“Oh, com’on, Tess, seriously? Could literally see the hearts’n his eyes.”

“We talked once!”

“Yeah, n’ he finally realized y’re beautiful n’ kind n’ smart an’ve been here the whole time.”

Heat pooled in Tessa’s cheeks at the compliments, barely believing them. “Shut up. Y’ve been readin’ too many romance books.”

“At the very least he wants in y’r pants,” she muttered.

“Riley, oh, my God! He does not!”

“He does too. Could see it clear as day. ‘Cause, ya know, I had’a front row seat t’that — “ She gestured in front of herself. “Whole interaction.”

The heat only grew, spilling down her neck as she hid her face in her hands. The announcer called the next rider’s number and she blasted out of the chute, hunched low over her horse’s neck and spurring her on even faster. Rounding the first barrel with ease.

“Was it really that bad?” Tessa finally mumbled quietly through her fingers.

“S’like a fuckin’ train wreck. Couldn’t stop watchin’.”

“Oh, God.”

“And Jesus Christ, too,” Riley added.

They both laughed, Tessa drawing her hands away from her face. She didn’t know if she fully believed what Riley said. That Rhett looked…Interested in her. To her, it just felt like a slightly awkward conversation between acquaintances. Not even friends.

Did she want him to be interested? Did she want him to look at her with hearts in his eyes and like he wanted to get in her pants? If anything, it was most likely the latter. She knew about his reputation. Mostly from the rumors that Laney liked to gossip about. The buckle bunnies and the drinking. But Tessa knew to take any story that Laney brought up with a grain of salt. Or a lot of salt really. The grapevine in Wabang did wonders or criminal offenses to a person’s reputation. And sure, maybe he did sleep around and maybe he did drink a little too much, but she could see good in him. Something quiet but earnest. So different from the boy she was infatuated with in high school. Now he was a man she barely knew and had spoken with twice. How could she possibly know if she would want his attention?

But the attention he had given her so far felt nice. Felt like she was special. An anomaly he couldn’t quite figure out but was determined to do so. It felt something like being wanted.

What she still so desperately craved. Even after all these years, even after so much growth. She still looked at her sister’s relationship with a pang of envy. She still looked at her coworker, alone and bitter, and feared it was her fate.

She still yearned to be wanted — and to want in return.

A few more riders shot across the show floor. An impressive display of power and speed as they turned sharply around the barrels, trying to do it faster than everyone before them. The energy of the pavilion, the crowd, the event on the floor — it was electric. Everyone cheered loudest for the local girls. All of whom Tessa knew, some even from her days on the rodeo team. Screaming their names and stamping their feet on the metal stands.

But Tessa and Riley couldn’t stay to watch first place get her ribbon. Addie Zoglmann from South Dakota. They had to start making their way over to the main, outdoor arena in order to catch Rhett Abbott’s ride. She said she wasn’t going to miss it. And Tessa liked to keep her word.

“You think we should go t’the bonfire?” Tessa questioned as they walked, paying extra-close attention so she wouldn’t run into anyone else.

“I don’know. Wadda you wanna do?” Riley asked back as she popped a piece of gum in her mouth.

“Not make a decision right now.” Her answer was honest, delivered with a sighing laugh that made her friend affectionately roll her dark eyes.

“Yeah, alright.” Riley added another piece of gum to her mouth. “We’ll go f’r a minute, check it out, at least. Please y’r lil’ lover boy.”

Tessa made a face. “Ugh, don’call him my lover boy.”

“Jus’ callin’ it as I see it,” she laughed.

“Yeah, well, he’s not so…” Tessa trailed off, looking south to the riding pit and the rodeo clowns herding the bull back into the pen.

It was just a joke. Tessa knew that. But it didn’t stop something from aching deep in her chest.

“But he could be,” Riley pointed out gently, “If ya’d jus’loosen up and stop thinkin’ so negative about y’rself.”

That was another thing about Riley Lopez. She always told the people she cared about the truth. Even if they didn’t want to hear it. Tessa glared up at her, though there was no real bite behind it, as they ascended the stairs up into the stands. Riley only grinned down at her before taking the lead to find them a seat.

“Alright folks, here’s number three-one-six — Rhett Abbott — on Bones!” the announcer called.

Tessa and Riley stood up as they cheered, along with a few others in the crowd. Including Rhett’s family. His mom and dad, his older brother Perry and his wife, Tessa couldn’t remember her name, and their daughter. A little blonde girl Tessa saw getting picked up from school from time to time when she was there to get one of the boys. They cheered for Rhett loudly with thunderous claps. That little girl screaming loudest of all for her uncle. It made Tessa smile.

The gate burst open as the timer buzzed its starting and the bull jumped into the riding pit. Dust went flying into the air as the great hooves stomped into the earth. The Abbott family continued to cheer and encourage. Tessa waited on bated breath. She always hated watching the bull riding. During one high school rodeo, some poor Nebraska boy got his chest stomped in. She could still hear the collective gasp, the crunching of bone, the parents’ screams. The boy lived, with a metal plate in his chest and a hobble for the rest of his life, but the memory wasn’t something that Tessa could shake herself of easily. Saw it flash before her eyes even then as the bull groaned furiously and did everything it could to shake Rhett off. But he was glued to the bull’s back with his hand raised high above his head. Rocking with each movement, with each spin. His face turned down, focused on the bull's neck.

But it wasn’t enough. With only five seconds on the clock, Rhett was thrown from the bull. Tumbling off the back and landing on his spine with a great cloud of dust.

“Yikes, bet that hurt,” Riley muttered.

Tessa didn’t reply. Too focused on Rhett still laying in the dirt. His hat had been thrown off. Laid several feet away from him as he stared up at the sky. No doubt the wind had been knocked out of him. His lungs struggling from the shock. Bones had already stamped away and was now being herded back into the chute for Rhett’s second ride. Then he slammed his fist into the ground — frustrated — and he sat up. The crowd cheered quietly at the fact he was alright. He rose to his feet and nodded at the crowd with a closed-mouth smile, something similar to the one Tessa would give when she knew she didn’t do well, then picked up his hat.

“Nothin’ he’s not used to, I’guess,” Tessa sighed, feeling like her heart was trying to beat right out of her chest.

They sat back down as the next rider was announced. Rhett wouldn’t go again until the other ten riders before him had gone. Out of the corner of her eye, Tessa saw Royal Abbott heading down from the stands and towards the pen where the bull riders were held in waiting.

So far, Rhett wasn’t even on the leaderboard. And Tessa remembered all too well that, despite his father’s encouragement and applause, his boy was never doing enough.

She walked proudly through the rodeo grounds with that first-place ribbon pinned to her shirt. It was big and blue and glossy, shining underneath the lights. She was just glad her whole family could make it to this one. Even Rachel got to see her ride, though she seemed a little less than impressed and could really only comment on how dirty her pants had gotten.

The grounds were quiet, the animals all rounded up and put in their trailers for the drive home, and only a few other contestants milled around. But she forgot her bag in the stables again, and she didn’t want to leave everyone waiting. Shiloh had a baby on her hip after all, one that was downright exhausted and whiney.

Passing by the riding pit on her way, she saw Rhett Abbott standing at the metal fence with his head down — hands shoved into his jean pockets like he was trying to hide as much of himself as possible. And from the way his father was looming over him, she could understand why. Royal had his hat in his hand, gesturing out into the riding pit and talking in a low quiet voice. Worse than getting yelled at. Getting talked to.

Rhett glanced at her as she walked past. A red ribbon stood out in stark contrast to his black riding vest. She only caught a fragment of what Royal was saying.

“Are ya even takin’ this seriously? By the time I was y’r age I was placin’ first every time…”

Disappointment disguised as encouragement. Harsh words spoken by a well-intended father.

Tessa kept on walking.

Bones was back in the chute and Rhett was slowly lowering himself onto his wide back. The bull screamed and jerked within the metal bars. Rhett slipped his gloved hand around the handle, wrapped the rope tight around his knuckles and pounded his hand into a fist around it all. A tight grip, sealing him to the bull completely. Tessa and Riley got back to their feet.

“Rhett Abbott, number three-one-six, with his second ride of the evening.”

The timer buzzed and the gate flung open just as the bull leaped into the air. Bones spun in circles, kicking his back legs, tilting himself nearly vertically to try and get Rhett off. And for a moment, hand clutching at Riley’s jacket sleeve, she thought it was enough. That he was going to stay on just long enough and get onto the leaderboard.

At seven seconds, however, Rhett fell. Caught himself on his right wrist as Bones stamped dangerously close to his head. Tessa gasped. That was so close. Billy from Nebraska all over again only ten times worse.

“That sucks. Wh’t’s that mean, Tess?” Riley questioned as she sat back down.

But Tessa waited until Rhett got back to his feet. Until he was being herded away by the rodeo guys, shaking out his wrist. He didn’t smile at the crowd. Kept his head down and the brim of his stetson covering his face.

Only then did she sit back down on the cold metal stands. “Means his season’s over. He’s not advancin’.”

“Oh, that really sucks.”

“Yeah. I’does.”

Rhett hiked his leg over the metal fence and swung over to the other side. He didn’t walk back to the holding pen. Instead, he headed straight for the medical tent. Not giving anyone a second glance.

The pasture east just beyond the Amelia County Fairgrounds was a dark sea of freshly cut forage. Cast in shades of blue by the moon hung waxing high in the sky. The stars bright and bountiful, like an audience gathered to watch the show going ever on and on upon the earth so far below.

All was quiet now that the rodeo was over. The hanging bulb lights had been turned off and the animals were all asleep in their pens, waiting to be transported home. Only a few vehicles remained in the lot. Scattered about the edges. The show was winding down.

Until a bright orange light sparked to life in the east pasture. Warm and intriguing. Just beyond the windrows and back by the edge of the forest. A whoop and a holler echoed through the empty blue as the light expanded. Illuminating all the cars and trucks that had driven through the field to get close.

Soon enough, music kicked up with a round of applause. Luke Bryan and Kenny Chesney — stuff good for dancing close and singing along to while drinking too much.

A classic Dirty Bang Bonfire was starting up. The stars settled in for the show — shown just that bit brighter in the infinite Wyoming sky. This was going to be fun.

Tessa couldn’t help but have dissimilar thoughts as she got out of her car and approached the already roaring flames. Stuck close to Riley’s side, who seemed calm and self-assured, Tessa wished she felt the same. Instead, her insides rolled with nerves and her palms accumulated a layer of sweat she kept having to wipe off. Parties like this were never her style.

“Maybe we shouldn’t’ve come,” she spoke quietly as they hovered on the edge of the gathering.

She knew every face cast in orange light. All of them people they went to high school with and had stuck around their little town. Talking in their little groups with drinks in hand. Groups that didn’t intermingle with theirs in high school. It just seemed like everyone had their place. Everyone knew where they fit — except for Tessa and Riley.

Except Tessa in truth. Riley was good in a crowd. Always had been. While Tessa stayed glued to the background. Set decoration. Preferring to observe rather than participate out of fear. Fear of what she wasn’t quite sure of anymore. Did she really care all that much about what these people thought of her anymore? She supposed she didn’t. But old habits died hard it seemed as her heart pounded in her chest at the thought of just mere mingling.

“Just a few minutes,” Riley said with a shrug, hands shoved in her jacket pockets. “We’ll grab’a drink from one’a the coolers layin’ around. Talk some shit. Then we’ll leave. Easy.”

“Easy,” Tessa hummed in reply as she looked around.

The Tillersons were there. All grouped up by the fire with a girl under each of their arms. They were all laughing about some story that Billy was telling. Everyone except the girl with Trevor, who just looked uncomfortable. And Tessa couldn’t blame her. A shiver, sharp as ice, went down her spine at the thought of being under that arm. Of remembering what that felt like. Being so important but so worthless at the same time.

Shania Lovegrove was there. She was pregnant again, sipping what Tessa really hoped was a juice. Her fourth at twenty-three with her third baby daddy. Tessa understood why her parents spoke so sadly about her now. She hoped that those kids were okay.

Walker Browning was sitting on the tailgate of his truck, beer in hand. Laney nowhere in sight. Right. They broke up again recently. Some squabble about when they were finally going to get married. Laney wanted it now. Walker wanted it in a few years. But Tessa and really everyone else in town knew that it was inevitable they would get back together. Again. It was a never-ending cycle with those two.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Riley’s lips stretch into a smile, her dark eyes focused on something over Tessa’s shoulder. Tessa opened her mouth to question such a wicked grin, but then Riley took hold of her shoulder and turned her to face the other direction.

Rhett Abbott was approaching them. He was no longer wearing his riding vest or chaps, but a brace now adorned his right wrist. A big silver buckle shown in the firelight at the top of his jeans. His smile was small and shy as he walked up to her, face still ruddy and dirty from his ride.

“You see me this time?” he joked quietly as he came to a stop in front of her.

She laughed, genuine, with her hands in her pockets. “Yeah, I do. Promise I’won’t slam inta’ya this time, either.”

“Okay,” he chuckled lightly, then he gestured in the direction he came from. “Wanna drink?”

“Yeah, we — “

Tessa looked behind her to loop Riley in, only Riley was nowhere to be found. Her heart dropped into her stomach. Of course. Time alone with her lover boy. With the hearts in his eyes, just now noticing her. Tessa really had been hoping, if they were to run into each other at the bonfire, that Riley could act as a buffer. An escape plan. But there she was. Alone with Rhett Abbott of all people. Who only a few days ago didn’t even know she was still in town. Who forgot her first name. That still left a sting, something sharp and bitter on her tongue. Something clarifying.

She turned back to Rhett with a closed mouth smile. Her cheeks burning and praying he wouldn’t notice.

“A drink sounds nice.”

They both turned and started walking together at the very edge of the bonfire’s light.

“How was uh — how’s the barrel racin’?” he asked.

“I’s’fun! Haven’t gotten’ta watch any racin’ in a long time, so…” she trailed off and smiled up at him.

Rhett smirked back for a second then looked away, down at the ground. “Ya miss it?”

“Sometimes,” she replied, “But anytime I get a hankerin’ I jus’run a demo at my parent’s ranch.”

“Get all those tourists gawkin’ at ya,” he chuckled.

“I mean, little girls starin’ at me like m’Wonder Woman or somethin’ is pretty good f’r my ego,” she said with a joking lilt and they both laughed.

His hand brushed against her arm and she tried not to notice.

In the back of some dirty blue GMC was a case of Heinekens. Rhett took one out of the case and opened it on the tailgate, handing it to her with foam still running down the side. He took out another and opened it for himself. Taking a long pull of it as she licked the neck of her bottle clean. Beer was never her drink of choice, but there were no other options. The alcohol may just give her enough confidence to stay with Rhett. Not sprint back to her safe space at Riley’s side — or in her car headed home.

She could do this. They were just…friends.

Right?

“Glad ya got t’see somethin’ good,” Rhett spoke around the lip of his beer before taking another sip, he was nearly halfway done already. “Before seein’ me ride like shit.”

“Hey, don’t talk like that. Bones hasn’t been good ridin’ n’years. Y’got screwed over.” Tessa hid her grin by taking a drink of her beer as he narrowed his eyes unbelievingly at her, smile ticking up the corner of his mouth. “I don’know — that’s just what the old guy behind me’s sayin’.”

He laughed with a shake of his head — and a foreign sense of pride filled up her chest, like a balloon with air, at getting him to do so. His laugh was soft, quiet. Like most of it got lost in him on its way out. He tried to hide that accompanying smile that showed all his teeth by ducking his head. But she saw it. And it was beautiful on him. Lit up his whole face from something unreadable and stoic to sincerity and joy.

Tessa liked it on him better than anything she’d seen.

“But seriously,” she went on, taking another sip of her beer and leaning her side against the tailgate of the blue truck. “You were good’n high school and y’r standin’s the last few years’ve always been great. Y’re better than that.”

There was a certain glint in his eye as he gazed down at her. “You kept up with m’standin’s?”

“Sometimes,” she mumbled, a heat in her cheeks at him catching on to a part of herself she didn’t mean to reveal.

He was the local boy, a legacy — son of a Wabang bull rider. Sometimes, it was her father or Slick sitting around the kitchen table asking about him and how he had been riding recently. Other times, it was of her own volition. Sitting in the dim light of her room at the Boy’s Home, just wondering. Just curious. She didn’t care much for bull riding. But maybe somewhere deep down, even after all these years, she still cared a little too much about Rhett Abbott.

A great gust of wind blew through the pasture, carrying the windrows in its ghostly hands. It sent a chill through Tessa, the cold beer in her grip only making it worse. Rhett perked up from where he had been leaning against the tailgate.

“Shit, c’m’on — “ He reached out for her and she took a step closer. “Le’s get ya over t’the fire.”

She switched her beer to the other hand. “Yeah, that sounds nice.”

His left hand ghosted over her spine as she fell into step beside him. Fingers long and spread wide on her lower back, they walked closer to the bonfire. She was sure she imagined it, but his skin felt warm, even through her clothes. As if he would leave a handprint through the layers. His touch, light as it was and heavy as it felt, kindled something hot deep in her belly. Like the first sparks forged by flint to dry leaves. It urged her to walk closer to his side — and he let her in willingly.

“How — How’s the wrist?” she asked, needing something to fill the spaces between, as she nodded her head towards his braced hand.

He lifted his beer with that hand, almost like he forgot it was hurt at all. “S’fine. ‘Ve’had worse.”

“Like what?”

There were more people around the bonfire. Some were even dancing to music playing from somebody’s truck. But it was certainly warmer closer to the golden flames. Rhett dropped his hand, shoved it in his jeans pocket, once they were near enough. But she still felt his fingers burning at her skin.

“Uh, got bucked off inta the fence couple years’go — Montana,” he said, “Took’a post right t’the face.”

Tessa hissed through her teeth. “Ouch.”

“Y’can still feel where m’cheek got broken,” he chuckled, took a sip of his beer — nearly empty.

“Really?” she questioned, cocking her head to one side with a smile.

“Yeah, here — “

Rhett took her hand and brought it up to his face. That warm pit in her belly only grew, the leaves finally catching flame. His skin was warm. The flesh of his palm calloused and rough. His hand engulfed her own, eclipsed it like the sun to the moon. Tessa knew she was short, always had been, but never before had she felt so small as she did then. With her fingers pressed into Rhett’s cheek, his thumb to her palm, and his eyes trained on the ground as he blindly searched for something.

Then her fingers caught on it, a slight dip in his left cheek where the bone healed back together — up by his eye socket. His blue eyes slid up to look into her face expectantly.

“Feel that?” he asked.

“Uh-huh,” she replied, running her finger over the dent again. “Ya must’ve been a sight.”

“Eye swelled shut for a week,” he chuckled.

He pulled her fingers away from his face, but didn’t let go. Did she want him to? Using that hand, that feather-light hold on her she could so easily slip out of, he tugged her closer. The corner of his mouth was ticked up in a smirk, his cheeks slightly flushed. She couldn’t tell if that was from the alcohol, the adrenaline, or her. Did she want it to be her? When they were nearly chest to chest, he released her. Lifted his long, thick fingers to her chest.

Her heart was pounding. Beating like a drum in her ears as her breathing picked up. Rhett reached for her necklace, an antique locket passed down by her grandmother, and adjusted the way the pendant lay on her crewneck. She swallowed something thick as his fingertips traced up the chain.

She could feel his breath against her ear as he leaned in and muttered, “D’you wanna go f’r’a walk?”

Leaning back, fingers still lazily drifting around her necklace, thumbing at the pendant again, he flicked his eyes over to the woods just beyond the light of the bonfire.

She knew what that meant.

Alone. Secluded. Pushing her up against a tree somewhere in the dark. His lips on hers and hands touching everywhere. Just like Olivia Barlow. It was everything she wanted when she was fifteen. He wanted her. Looked down at her now with blue eyes so soft and wondering, mouth ticked up in some smirk only slightly cocky. He pulled in closer to her, towered over her, made it feel like he was the only other person there. The music was drowned out by the rushing sound in her ears. The pit in her stomach burst into flames, roaring and all-consuming as she felt the heat coming off of Rhett’s body. So close. So wanting.

He wanted her. She wanted him back. With his laugh so soft and busted cheekbone and open sincerity. And wasn’t that everything she desired? To want and be wanted in return?

But there was this fear. Creeping in with freezing winds to snuff out the flames.

Because what if he just wanted to use her to get off — a convenient body he hadn’t used before? What if he didn’t want anything more once they were done and he was satisfied? She didn’t want to be just another notch in Rhett Abbott’s bedpost. She didn’t want a one-time thing. She wanted to be wanted completely. Every day.

And right now, with Rhett, it didn’t feel complete. It felt fleeting, in the moment. That he would forget come morning and never talk to her again.

Tessa couldn’t risk her own heart — knowing that sorrow was inevitable.

So she took a step back.

Rhett’s eyes widened, his smile fading, as he withdrew his hand. Then his brow furrowed low, confusion evident.

“M’sorry, but, I — I gotta head on home,” she spoke quietly.

“Why?” he asked, arms now limp at his sides, shoulders hunched.

She bit her lip, fighting every urge to just turn around and walk away. “Early day tomorrow — back at work, so…”

“D’you…Wan’me t’walk ya t’y’re car?”

“No,” she responded quickly, then sighed, wringing the still half-full bottle of beer in her hands. “No, m’fine. Thanks.”

“‘Kay.” He gulped down the last of his Heineken.

“See ya around, Rhett.”

“Yeah, see ya.”

Her eyes stung with unshed tears as she turned and walked away from him. Away from the warm glow of the bonfire and towards her car. The warmth in her belly had been put out. Replaced with some nauseating weight.

Once at her car, she texted Riley she was leaving and poured out the rest of the beer she was still holding. Tossing the bottle into her front seat.

Turns out, she may just end up alone and bitter forever. She couldn’t just loosen up and stop thinking so negatively — about everything. Including Rhett, including herself. A tragedy, creator of her own downfall.

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