Page 88 of Roping My Rival

Puffing out a breath, I can only tell the truth. “I’ll never be ashamed of him. I’m sad this happened, and he’ll miss rodeo, but he made a mistake. It doesn’t define who he is. It doesn’t change who I fell in love with.”

Bob smiles and stands. “That’s what I thought. Thank you, Warren. He shouldn’t be much longer.”

Bob strides back to the boardroom door, his cowboy boots clicking on the floor, and I sag back in the chair. I don’t know if that conversation was a good or bad thing, but I meant it. I’ll still love him, and it changes nothing between us except I might be out of team roping for a while.

The door opens a few minutes later with Clarence and Dane spilling out, and I don’t have any longer to wait.

“Well?”

Dane pulls me into a hug and holds me while Clarence fills me in.

“They sympathize with his situation and won’t place a lifetime ban. However, they don’t want to set a precedent with no punishment either. He’s suspended for the rest of this year. No appeal.” Clarence pauses. “Whatever you said to Bob, I think it gave the lesser punishment. The board regards the Burke family highly. Dad may have burned bridges in his younger years, but he definitely built a few that aren’t going anywhere.”

Dane finally releases me with a sigh. “I was hoping they would let it go and we could keep competing. I’m sorry, Warren.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. This is almost the best-case scenario, really.”

“I know, but I was just getting used to being on the road with you.”

“You can still come with me sometimes. They suspended you from competing, not from being a spectator.”

Pressing my lips to Dane’s, I hope it eases his sadness even just a little. If I lost rodeo like this, it would be tough. I stepped away by choice, and that was difficult enough.

Clarence clears his throat. “I’m going to leave you two alone and get back. I’m sorry I couldn’t convince them to let it go entirely, but Warren is right. This is a good thing.”

“You were amazing, Clarence.” Dane offers his hand, and Clarence hesitates before batting it away and pulling Dane into a hug.

“Just doing my job. Be good to my brother, or I’ll change my mind.” Clarence clears his throat. “We still need to discuss the case with Henry, but not right now. Absorb this change, and we’ll meet next week.”

“Sounds good. Thanks again, Clarence.”

Clarence turns and offers me a hug, too. He isn’t big on hugs for his family most days. Today he’s hugged me and Dane. That should concern me. I hold him a little closer and whisper next to his ear. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Go enjoy the day with him. You both deserve it.”

Clarence releases me with a wave and heads off to his car, leaving me in the lobby with Dane.

“So…I guess it’s Plan B?”

Dane grabs my hand as we walk out into the sunshine.

“Plan W, I think. Plan B was at least three years ago.” Dane sighs with a weight I wish I could help carry. “We’ll get back out there next year, Warren. You and I will be team champions for years. I know it.”

“We will.” After climbing into my truck, Dane settles back into the seat, and I know he’s struggling with everything, but all I can do is hold his hand and wait for him to decompress. I’m disappointed they’ve cut our season short with the decision, but it’s the best thing for him right now.

“I know I’ve said this before, but I’m so sorry for everything. If only I weren’t so arrogant when I first met you, maybe all this could be different now.”

“Maybe, but it’s the past, and we look ahead now. We can’t change it. So let’s concentrate on what we can.”

He blows a breath out and rubs his palms on his jeans.

“Right. I should call your dad then.”

Laughing, I kiss his cheek before starting the truck. “Or you can wait until we get home. I guarantee he already has the agreement drawn up.”

Dane is silent as I pull onto the highway, and he remains that way for some time until I reach over to touch his thigh.

“Hey. You said you were okay, but you’re awfully quiet. What’s wrong?”