Page 51 of Headed for Home

“I’ve only been practicing the line since seventh grade.” He thumps his forehead and clears his throat. “Would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend, Cassidy Brooks?”

My heart soars as if I’m that teenage girl again, flirting with the boy she’s been crushing on. “Better late than never.”

“Is that a yes?”

My nod is fast. “I’m willing to fall.”

A pleased sound rumbles from him. “You won’t regret it, beauty. I’ll catch you and treat you better than a cowgirl queen.”

There’s a drum thumping a giddy beat in my veins. “And I believe it. You already make me very happy. Give me something to look forward to and smile about. Deliver a sense of comfort I’ve rarely had. The struggles and responsibilities don’t drag me down as far when you’re around.”

He kisses me again. “You have no idea what that means to me.”

Our eyes catch and lock. Static buzzes in my ears as his unwavering focus dives beneath the surface. Birds chirp overhead, providing a soundtrack for conversation. I can practically hear Drake’s mind churn over the weight of something heavy.

His throat bobs as he gulps. “Can I ask you something?”

My lips twitch. “I dunno. Can you?”

Drake chuckles but the amusement quiets almost instantly. “Why did you stop competing?”

I freeze, eyes wide. It’s suddenly hard to breathe. The pressure in my chest is too familiar. A numbness threatens to settle over me in a protective layer. But my typical reactive response doesn’t fit in this moment.

“Wow, that’s… not what I expected.” I struggle to swallow around the knob in my throat.

“You don’t have to tell me, especially at a party.” His eyes slide to those in the backyard with us, preparing to celebrate love and happiness.

The reflex to duck and cover sputters from me. “Too late. You already pried this lid open. We’re being very personal and intense today. Might as well follow the trend.”

Drake’s concern studies the hot sting blurring my vision. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s a tough subject,” I confess. “But it’s nothing compared to what other people have gone through.”

He pulls me into him. “Don’t minimize your pain. What you’re feeling is just as significant, regardless of the circumstances.”

“Gosh,” I blubber. “You always know what to say.”

“One of my many talents when it comes to you.”

Which gives me a necessary push. “I always loved the thrill of rodeos and barrel races, but the competitions lost meaning for two reasons. First, about seven years ago, my horse Pago got sick and died unexpectedly.”

He frowns. “Oh. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah. His loss hit me hard. I’d never experienced such a devastating blow. We’d been a team since I was eleven. To a young girl, there couldn’t be a more loyal companion.”

The reminder is a punch to the gut. Emotions get the best of me and I’m crying openly again. Drake is quiet as I grieve, holding me flush against him to provide support. That contact is appreciated more than I can voice. It takes a minute for me to regain my composure enough to continue.

“He was my first true love. My partner. My everything. That never changed. Our bond was unbreakable. Still is, even though he’s gone. At least I like to think so.” I exhale slowly. “Pago is irreplaceable to me, and I wouldn’t dare try. I haven’t competed since our last run. We won the overall championship that weekend. Hit an arena record too. Guess we were meant to end on a high note.”

Drake rubs circles along my back, the gentle touch soothing me. “He was black, right?”

Confusion spikes, yanking me out of my reverie. “Did I tell you about him?”

“I saw you two at a show. You were really good together.”

“The best. He ran so hard for me.” I pause and lick my lips. “I didn’t know you watched me ride back then.”

Red blooms on his cheeks. “That was on purpose. I had a big crush on you, especially after our kiss.”

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