Page 189 of Giddy Up, Daddy

Luke and I laughed louder at her declaration. She might be right. I didn’t think we would be in trouble for rushing toDenver but there was a lot to unpack. Following Luke through the walkways, we chatted about old times and happier moments. Finally he pointed to where his trailer was.

“We are in the last few rounds of the competition. I was about to switch with Alden, but I can give you half an hour,” Luke said quietly.

“Thanks, Luke. I wasn’t trying to be a smartass.”

“Yeah you were.”

Kennedy and I hugged him again. I took a deep breath before knocking on the door to the trailer. It wasn’t overly large but it could transport a bunch of people. It also served as a spot for naps, breaks, or downtime for anyone involved in the show. Alden opened the door, glancing back and forth between the two of us. Shock was evident on his face. Underneath it was a hint of worry.

“I’m happy to see you, butwhy are you here?”

Kennedy hugged him first, throwing her arms around his neck. He lifted her up into the trailer, stepping back so I could enter.

“Maybe we missed you.”

“Mmmhmm.” He looked between us as if waiting for the real explanation.

“Well, we did,” I insisted.

Alden set her down long enough to hug me pulling me into his arms. He released me and sat down on the small couch. I sat down next to him with Kennedy curling against his side.

“One of you better start talking.”

I glanced at Kennedy and decided it was better for me to explain. “We found a piece of paper this morning with the arena name. I thought you were getting back in the ring. You, uh, said something along those lines the last time we spoke in person. It’s stupid now that I realize what happened.”

“I asked you to handle the ranch while I was gone.”

“Yes, I did that. But we had no idea where you went.” I swallowed hard trying to keep my tears at bay. “I thought you were competing.”

“Did you come to stop me or encourage me?”

I leaned my head on his shoulder. “I wanted to tell you that getting in the ring has nothing to do with our relationship. Whether or not you ever compete again. Kennedy and I both had reasons to not embark on this journey. They were shit reasons, but reasons all the same.”

“Thank you for being honest. I have thought about it, but it’s not something I plan on doing.” Suddenly he leaned over to me and cupped my chin. Alden turned my cheek and flicked his gaze to my eyes.

“It’s nothing.” I brushed off the concern flickering in his eyes and answered his unspoken question.

“Who hit you?”

“Leon Collier.”

“Leon? Didn’t you know him in high school? Why’d he hit you?”

Kennedy cleared her throat. “We went to school with him but neither of us were friends with him. I went toThe Bad Cherrylast night.He paid my tab and insisted I go home with him,” she said simply.

I continued the story. “So, I picked Kennedy up. Leon was so happy to see my face that his fist greeted me.”

“Fucking prick,” Alden said under his breath.

“But it helped Wyatt and I get into a few serious conversations,” Kennedy piped up, nodding in my direction.

“Is that so?” Alden dropped his hand.

“We’re in a throuple,” I announced proudly.

“Are we?” Alden slapped his knee, his concern fading into something more lighthearted. “Is that all it took? To leave thetwo of you alone to your own devices? Shoot. I’d have gone on vacation if I knew that.”

“You’re not mad?” I asked the question that had been on my mind since I’d declared it last night.

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