Page 15 of Hard To Fall
She looks up at me. “And who holds you up?”
I step back. “That’s not your problem.”
“You’re right, it’s not.”
We stand there, looking back over the vast field, shoulder to shoulder, still a little too close.
“You’re a handful,” I say.
She smiles but doesn’t look at me. “More than you know.”
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
“I don’t have to.”
I turn towards her again, so close her shoulder brushes my chest. “You think you can handle me?” I challenge.
“For all eight seconds?”
I huff a laugh and hang my head. Her larger-than-life laugh echoes around the field and feels like it wraps me up with her. But then her voice drops, and she says, “But I think you’re scared to try.”
The air around us crackles, and for one second, just one, I think I might kiss her. I could lean in, let my lips brush hers, taste her, really see what this is all about. Do I keep fighting or do I–
A voice cuts through the air. “Colt!”
Levi.
Of fucking course the universe hates me.
“You’re gonna get hurt,” I mutter.
“That’s twice you said that, yet you’re the only one limping around here.” She gives a wink, then she turns and walks away. I watch her go and see Levi approach. He jogs a little to catch up to her, and they stop to chat. Each word that I can’t hear is like fire burning me alive. Then he gives his signature smile, tips his hat, and they part ways. She keeps walking away from us, but he turns and watches her go.
“Levi!” I bark out.
She tosses a look over her shoulder but doesn’t turn back, and he only laughs and jogs over to me.
And for the first time since the injury, since the pain, since the doc spoke those words, I feel something in my chest I don’t recognize. It feels like hope, and that scares the shit out of me.
TEXT
Sierra: How’s life in Hearts Bend? Find a cowboy yet?
Me: Hello to you, too.
Sierra: I said hello yesterday. You didn’t answer. Which means you’re avoiding me.
Me: Or I’m busy saving a rodeo.
Sierra: Save a rodeo, ride a cowboy?
Me: That’s not how that song goes
Sierra: Sounded like you were rewriting the lyrics
Me: sighhhh
Sierra: But I’m right, aren’t I?
