Page 45 of Secret Heart
“All right. The biggest event is a charity exhibition rodeo in Billings over Memorial Day. They’re raising money for an Omega retreat that’s opening in another month. Technically we’re past the point of entrants being allowed to register, but the organizers requested you and a handful of the other guys from the NBRA circuit. Thought that would be an easy way to get back into the swing of everything.”
“I just need to ride?” I ask.
“Might be some small press on either side, but otherwise, yes. If you make it the full time, the NBRA says they’ll donate a quarter mil. A portion of all the ticket sales go to the retreat, too. They’re wanting to get your name out there ASAP to help push interest.”
“Of course. Happy to help a good cause.” I nod. “Can’t guarantee a full ride, of course. But I’ll do my best.”
“You always do.”
I smile, just a bit.
There’s a long stretch of silence. I finally look over at him. His eyebrows are furrowed.
“You want to invite them? Your daughter and the others?”
A lump is in my throat again, bigger than before. It takes me a minute to remember how to speak, how to breathe.
“I’ll give them the option. Not sure they want to be all that public.”
“That’s fine. I’ll make sure to keep a couple tickets back just in case. If they don’t end up joining, I’ll have the agency put together a last minute giveaway for them.” He taps on his phone. “You give any thought to your apartment lease?”
“I’ll let it go,” I admit.
I have enough money to buy a place anywhere in the greater Jackson area, including most of Jackson Hole. Finding a spot closer to Creek Falls won’t be any real issue. If I need my own place at all, at least. The three of us haven’t talked about what any of the long term might look like, not after agreeing to stay with them Sunday morning. A cramp rolls through my stomach and steals my breath for a moment. I close my eyes as I grimace, then force my body to relax around the pain. It fades after a few moments. I focus on Lance again.
“You have everything you need out of it? Or should I have movers take care of it?”
“I brought everything that’s important,” I say with a shrug. “Mostly it’s just furniture left there, and the next person can have all of that.”
“All right.” He taps on his phone. “Then the only other thing that has to get done in the next several weeks is the magazine photoshoot for Western Life. They’re wanting you to be their July edition, so we need to get you with their people by the end of the first week in June so they have time to get it all ready.”
“Can we just add that to the end of the rodeo in Billings? That way I don’t have to figure out a second bit of travel. I’m sure there’s some places that work decent for that.”
I gesture to the room around us in example. Lance makes a note. My phone vibrates as the changes he’s making to the synced calendar start going through.
“I’m sure there is. Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure it out with the editorial staff.”
A woman’s laugh echoes outside the closed door. My stomach tightens with sudden stress entirely different from the lingering touch-starvation.
“Did Sean reach out to you?” I ask.
“Oh, yeah, he did. The junior rodeos in Nashville, right? They have them every two weeks through August. Thought the Fourthmight be a good option. It’s their largest one, and it’s the one Sean’s agent mentioned specifically. But we can do a different one if you’re wanting to do something else for the holiday.”
“Um, the Fourth is fine. I’ll talk with…” I trail off before I say Emily’s name.
Lance grunts. “They can come, too, you know. I’ve managed athletes who have packs, Triston. It’s not any big jump for me. You just let me know, and I’ll get everything organized for you all.”
“Am I good to mention either of those?” I gesture toward the door. “Or should I stick to more broad things?”
“The one in Billings, yes.” He holds out his phone, showing a trio of text messages confirming my appearance and permission to use the interview as an unofficial announcement. “Give me a couple more days to finalize everything in Nashville, though. Should be good to talk about it by the magazine shoot.”
Before I can say anything, there’s two soft knocks on the door.
“Mr. Harding? The interviewer is ready for you.”
“Showtime,” I mutter.
Lance chuckles as I stand and grab the hat from the floor.
