Page 25 of Roping My Rival

“My pops loves to make breakfast now that he’s retired with Dad. Today he felt like baking.”

“So you live at home still?”

He stiffens. “For now, I do.”

Warren’s guard is back up, but thankfully, I have an ounce of self-preservation and don’t tease him about it. He’s lucky he has a home and two dads who obviously love him beyond measure. Instead, I switch to the topic we’re here for.

“So, we need to work together. You want the head or the heels?”

“I’d prefer the head.”

“Of course you would.” I smirk, and Warren narrows his gaze. “I can do either. I’m versatile that way.” I throw Warren a wink and swear to god, his cheeks turn as red as a freshly pickled beet. This should be fun. Maybe I can tease him in other ways if it still brings the fire to his attitude.

Or maybe I should try being professional. That’s a lot less fun, but I should consider it.

“When do you want to practice? I’d like to get a feel for working with a partner before our first rodeo. Speaking of that…” He fiddles with the computer mouse and pecks slowly at the keyboard. “I’ve already entered a spring rodeo the first weekend in May in tie-down. If you were planning to attend that one, we need to register our team today to make the deadline. Or we just choose a later one.”

“What’s the fee? I can make that one.”

“Doesn’t matter. The school is paying our team fees, remember?”

“Right. I’m not used to being rich. Sign us up then.”

Warren huffs and pecks at the keyboard. “It’s not rich. It’s a sponsorship. I know you have one from Granburg Feeds, so you’re not destitute, Walker.”

Image is everything, as they say. I guess I’m doing a decent job of maintaining respectability for the great Warren Burke to know I have a sponsorship still and can’t be doing that bad.

He sits back after punching a final key. “There. We’re registered. We have two weeks to gel together. Want to get started today?”

I do, but I need to fix my truck first now that I have money for parts. Changing brake pads isn’t an all-day job, but it could be if I run into other issues.

“I’d love to, Burkey, but I have some repairs to do on my truck first. How about tomorrow?”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll call the contractor for a few steers if you’re sure about tomorrow.”

“Why wouldn’t I be sure?”

Warren shrugs a shoulder. “How about 9 A.M.? Jesse has a steer wrestling practice booked for noon.”

“I’ll be here.” Standing, I walk to the door but turn back before leaving. “Thanks for the cinnamon bun. Tell your pops it was good.”

Before Warren can bat his doe eyes or smile or do any other cute thing, I leave.

Once outside, I exhale.

This will be a tough summer, but if all goes well, Darla will be comfortable.

Now, if only I could say the same for myself. There’s nothing comfortable about suddenly being in the Burke family fold. I know I should be grateful, but it won’t come easy.

Warren’s easy acceptance of my apology should have made me feel better. It didn’t. Instead, it made me wish I had a better outcome to my life and feel envious of his dads. He lives at home and gets fresh cinnamon buns.

I get bills for my sister’s care facility and stale bread on sale.

After parking at the auto parts store, I feel my mood shift some. Working on vehicles has always calmed me, and I love walking up and down the parts rows. It reminds me of a happier time when I had a backup plan to rodeo and a family that wasn’t splintered apart.

Finding the parts for my truck, I splurge and get the higher-quality brake pads. It’s not much of a price difference, but it’s nice to make the purchase without having to give up something in exchange. Something I’m an expert with.

With my purchases in a bag, I’m definitely in a happier place. Until I exit the store to find a man leaning against my truck. The guy from the casino.