Page 8 of Roping My Rival

“One of the best,” I agree.

“You boys have big shoes to fill, but I know you’ll do just fine.” A woman grabs Henry’s arm and says something in his ear. Henry smiles and nods. “It was nice meeting you, Warren. Thank you for the invite.”

Henry wanders away with the woman, and I drift back into the crowd. Nodding and smiling, talking when people want to talk. I glimpse Jesse across the ring, and he’s his usual self. Laughing and totally at ease with these people and their expectations.

Dad has had us involved in running Burke’s Rodeo School for several years. It’s not like we don’t know what we’re doing, because we do. It’s more like it’s now ours, too. Legally. Free to fuck up is where my mind always goes. It’s a lot of pressure.

It’s almost too foreign for me to consider Dad not running this place anymore and leaving important decisions up to us.

This party marks Dad’s achievements. It’s celebrating his career and this school, and he’s still too young to say it’s his retirement. He’ll never retire from anything, I don’t think. He’s remaining as a teacher at the rodeo school, but Jesse, Clarence, and I will now pay him. It’s up to us to keep the Burke family legacy running. As the fellow said earlier, big shoes to fill.

It didn’t bother me as much as it does right now. I’m almost thirty years old and with all the facilities and teachers available to me…. still no championship buckle. I feel like a fraud helping run this place with all my second-place finishes. Burke last name or not. I’m not a champion.

How am I supposed to be a teacher and role model when I’m the only one who isn’t a winner?

“Warren!”

I turn towards the sound of my name being called and smile. My dad beckons me over, still with Maise, now in his arms and not on his shoulders, and still in his hotdog costume. Maise keeps petting the mustard stripe on his chest, and it’s kind of adorable.

“Hey, Dad. What’s up?”

“This is Charlie Moncton. We competed against each other at the National Finals the first time…what? How long has it been?”

“You still had your first partner, Alec. So at least thirty years ago.” Charlie laughs. “Your dad looks good for a man in his fifties. I think he discovered an anti-aging secret he didn’t share.”

“Nah,” Dad says as he bounces Maise. “No secret. Found a man I couldn’t live without and built the family I’d always wanted. I have three amazing sons, and this little nugget is my granddaughter. I’m just happy, Charlie.”

I smile and boop Maise on the nose. She has Jesse’s eyes, and I’m sure she’ll use them on me to get what she wants, just like her dad does.

“I heard you’re looking for a roping partner, Warren.”

Dad put the bug in my ear to try team roping again. I haven’t even thought of it since he tried to partner with me, and I cracked under the stress of competing with THE Hunter Burke. I’m in a better place now, though, and figured it’s time to shake things up.

“I am. I’ll start tryouts next week. I have a few interested ropers lined up to see if we have any chemistry.”

“You know who would be a great partner for you? Dane Walker. I saw his poster at the feed store last week.” My Dad says. “He was a great competitor. Remember him? Maybe he might be a fit.”

I open my mouth to tell my dad exactly why Dane wouldn’t be a great fit, but thankfully, I remember my niece is here and so is my dad’s friend. “I’ll look into it,” I say instead, and Dad smiles.

After more schmoozing with guests and eating a few hot dogs, most people finally part ways. Maise has finally found her way back to her dad and rubs at her eyes as she snuggles into Jesse’s chest.

“She’s had a long day. Dad held her the entire time, I think.”

Jesse grins and rubs her back. “Yeah, I think so. I’m sure he’ll be begging Pops for a massage tonight.”

“Oh, gross, Jesse. I live there still,” I moan. My gaze catches my dads speaking down the hall, and sure enough, Dad is rolling his neck, and Pops is smiling with that tender look while squeezing his shoulders.

“Why do you keep moving back home when things go south? You could afford your own apartment.”

“I know. I just…it’s nice to go home sometimes. Just makes me remember that after hard times, things get better. I’ve never felt as safe as I do on the ranch.”

“You big mush ball,” Jesse teases, but his gaze is soft. I know I am.

“Hey, guys. This turned out really well. Thanks for making it all roll so smoothly.” Clarence joins us and smiles at a now-sleeping Maise. “Gosh, she’s growing fast.”

Clarence reaches a hand towards her head with a fond smile, but pulls back when Jesse mouths that she’s asleep.

“Thank Warren. He did most of it,” Jesse says. “I just did what I was asked.”