Cold State Line

After every thing that happened at the ranch, Tina had moved us away from the chaos. She said we needed to focus on the rodeo and nothing else. My manager had basically forbade me from talking to Matt. It was hard, but I understood where she was coming from. Until I was at the Reno Rodeo, I needed to avoid the man. He was a distraction that I wanted but didn't need.

Matt had been so sweet when I told me. He hadn't gotten angry or weird. He was just as sweet as could be, and it had made me realize how much I already liked him. There was a high potential that I could fall in love with him, and love was the last thing I needed in my life right now. For once, I needed to focus on me.

The lights of the arena flashed on, indicating the rodeo was about to begin. People to flock to the California rodeos like they did in the south or Nevada. So while the arena wasn't as full as we were used to, it didn't mean we weren't putting on a performance. We would make these Californians come back to this rodeo.

"Are you okay?" Anna asked me, handing me a brush for Snap's mane.

I shook my head. "I just wish they would actually do something about Clay. They keep letting him get away with too much."

"Honey, what did he do? I know he hurt you, but you said it was unforgivable... that you would never be able to trust him or someone like him again. Did he rape you?"

I nodded, unable to tell her just what he had done. It was beyond depraved. Up until I met Matt, I thought all men were like him. I had no doubt that after Matt, I would still think that. What Clay did to me was evil, pure evil. I would rather he had raped me again then do what he had done. Only the doctors and judge knew.

"Oh, Haylee, I'm so sorry." Anna hugged me, not reading my body language. She was my best friend though, so I forgave her. She didn't know; no one did. No one could ever know what he had done. If anyone found out, it would change my life.

"It's okay, Anna. Let's go kick some barrel racer ass," I said, putting on my brightest fake smile. Anna, being the good friend that she was, let my phony smile slide and followed my lead as I carefully groomed my horse.
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"Ladies and gents, get on your feet! Give a big, Cali welcome to Haylee Lewis!"

It wasn't the loudest cheers I'd received, but it would suffice for L.A. I had picked a new intro song, tiring of "Unholy Confessions." As the gates opened, "Almost Easy" blasted instead. Some people cheered louder, recognizing a hometown favorite.

I smiled genuinely as I took off toward the first barrel. Snap and I were in tune again, breezing from barrel to barrel so quickly, I couldn't believe when the announcer called my time. We had just done it in 15 seconds flat. There was no doubt now that Anna and I were going to Vegas. We had both qualified tonight, but we still wanted to compete in Reno.

"That was wonderful, Haylee," Tina said and hugged me. "We're on the road tomorrow."

I nodded and walked Snap back to his trailer. As I pet his mane, I told him what a good boy he was and that I was very proud of him. It was like he understood me as I talked to him. Snap was such a smart horse.

"Haylee," a baritone voice said.

I whirled around and saw Matt. My heart dropped and a grin spread across my face. He looked a little loss with his hands in his pockets but still as handsome as ever.

"Hey, stranger." I guided Snap into his trailer and then walked over to Matt. "Sorry about Tina's rule."

Matt smiled. "It's okay. I understand why she wants it that way. You did so good without all of the distractions around you."

"Thank you. Any particular reason you're here?"

He shrugged and rubbed a hand through his hair. "I wanted to say goodbye in person. I don't know when I'll see you again."

Blushing, I pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. This man was too sweet. "Thank you, Matt."

He nodded and pulled me in for a hug. I really was going to miss him. And he was right, I had no idea if we would even see each other again. I wanted to, but my brain and heart were telling me it was unlikely to happen.

Notes

Short update today!