Page 83 of Roping My Rival

Dad clears his throat. During this family meeting, he’s mostly sat silently and let the three of us with Pops discuss all the ramifications. There is some hope, but not being able to compete will break Dane. I know it.

“I think it’s time Warren finds Dane and shares all this information with him, but before he does that, you three need to be united on how this affects the school. If he can compete later, he’s tied to the Burke rodeo school. If he teaches, he’s still with the Burke school. Even if things don’t work out with him and Warren…how do you want to present the school?”

“I’ve already said I support Dane. The school might take a hit, but I don’t think it would be big enough to make a huge loss. We still have loads of talent to back us if people choose to snub him. I’m in for supporting him, and we ride it out.” Jesse speaks with conviction, and I was confident he’d be on Dane’s side. It’s Clarence I’m unsure of.

“Clary?” My voice cracks because even though I love my brother, he’s been a straight shooter his entire life. I was the rule breaker and the rebel, and he’d always do the thing that wasn’t quite disappointment, but he’d point out my errors. We’ve always butted heads, but I was the one who held him when he had nightmares and got him talking when he said nothing for weeks.

Clarence exhales and stares at the floor for a beat. When he finally meets my gaze, I almost burst over the table to hug him.

“From what Warren has told me, Dane is a good man and, like us, he experienced hardship that nobody should have to navigate alone. We can help, and I trust Warren’s opinion. If he works at the school or still gets to ride representing us, I’m on board.”

“Thanks, Clary.”

“Don’t thank me yet, Warren. I need to spend a lot of time with him to prepare him for the lawyers he has to deal with. He might hate me after.”

“Not a chance. You’re too cute to hate, and…” With a breath, I settle myself and look around the room at my two brothers and two dads. “I don’t take any of you for granted. Dane won’t either. Thank you all for giving this your time today.”

“You need to go find him,” Pops says as he stands. “He’s probably a mess waiting to hear from you.” He crosses the room and squeezes my shoulder. “We’re in this together, but go find him so he knows he’s not alone.”

I don’t need any more encouragement to find him. After tugging on my boots, I run to my truck and hit dial before I pull out of the driveway.

“Warren?”

“Dane. Where are you?”

“Um…I’m not sure. Some country field.”

His voice sounds slurred, but now is not the time to accuse him of anything.

“Can you share your location on the phone, babe?”

“Why?”

“Because I’m coming to get you. You’re coming home, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Even in my semi-inebriated state, I shared my location, and as soon as I did, Warren told me he was on his way and to stay put.

That could be a good sign.

Can’t wait until he finds me halfway through a 26er of Southern Comfort. I didn’t drive drunk. I’m not that stupid. But I pulled into a field to spend the night that might be a little too soft, and now I’m stuck. That was stupid.

The rumble of an engine slows, and headlights flash, turning into the lane to the field. The truck disappears behind a line of trees and shuts off. After the slam of the door, Warren’s voice calls out.

“Dane?”

“Over here!”

Warren shines a flashlight, and I watch as he heads towards me. The light bobs in the darkness as he walks, and the closer he gets to me, the more anxious I become. He said he was coming to get me, but maybe it’s to say goodbye.

When he finally reaches the truck, he flips off the flashlight and hops up on the tailgate to join me.

“Want some?” I hold the bottle of SoCo out to him, and he wrinkles his nose.

“No, thank you. Did you drink all that tonight?”

“Yep. Seemed like a good idea.”

Warren gently takes the bottle from my hands and lets it drop to the ground.