Page 117 of Nate

Markie looked at Rafe to see him leaning against the back of the horse trailer with his arms folded across his chest and a grin on his face.

“Ask him why,” Rafe said.

“Don’t you need to go do something?” Nate snapped at him.

“Not missing this.” Rafe grinned.

Markie bit back a grin. “Why?”

“I just won’t.” Nate shrugged, then glared at Rafe when he laughed again.

Markie looked at Rafe. “Tell me.”

“It’s not my place.” He looked at Nate. “You might as well tell her.”

Nate sighed. “I get sick on the rides.”

Markie laughed then sobered when he glared at her. “Sorry, but I understand. A lot of people can’t take the spinning around and around and—”

“Enough, please.” Nate shook his head.

“Okay. We won’t go on it then. Well, I suppose most rides are out.”

“Unless you go on the bumper cars,” Rafe said, earning another glare from Nate.

“Fuck you, Marshall. Come on, Markie. Let’s find some better company.” Nate chuckled when he heard Rafe laugh.

“You can come with us, Rafe,” Markie said.

“I’m good. I’m just going to take Rocket to where the other horses are. The race starts at three, so I’ll see you in about an hour.”

“I’ll walk over with you. I have to get Mystic there too.”

Rafe nodded as he walked back to his trailer, opened the gate, and entered the trailer. When he came back out, Markie gasped at the beautiful red horse.

“That chestnut is beautiful, especially with the black mane, tail, and legs.”

“Thanks. I like him.” Rafe grinned.

Nate removed Mystic from the trailer, then they led their horses across the field and tied them with the other horses. A lot of people stopped them to ask about them racing. Markie was so excited to see the race.

****

As the clock struck three, the men gathered around their horses in preparation for the race. Nate took a quick look around and couldn’t help but shake his head. There was no way he would even come close to finishing in fifth place. He let out a small smile at the thought, as he mounted his horse.

He spotted Markie standing next to Tess and Sam, surrounded by a few of Nate’s friends. The speakers crackled as they were turned on, causing everyone to groan. The announcer’s voice echoed through the fairgrounds, going over the same old rules yet again. Nate scanned the crowd and sat up when he saw a man with blond hair that resembled Jarrett, except Jarrett’s hair was brown and since the man wore sunglasses, Nate couldn’t be sure.

“He could have dyed his hair,” Nate muttered under his breath.

“What’s that?” Rafe asked.

Nate glanced at him. “Never mind, I’ll tell you after the race.”

Rafe furrowed his brow, clearly curious about what was going on.

“Alright,” Rafe grinned. “I’ll be waiting for you at the start/finish line.”

“You’re such a pain in my ass,” Nate joked before looking across the street and seeing Maggie standing with Vanna Collins and her fiancé, Grady Henderson, a good friend of Nate’s and Rafe’s. “Looks like Maggie’s here.” He laughed when Rafe let out a long sigh and gave him the finger.

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