"So, are you ready to go out with Ryan?" Colin asked
"Oh god. Colin, this is going to be an interesting night" I said
"Why" He laughed
"So, this kid failed to mention, until 5 MINUTES AGO. That this is not just me and him. But it's going to be me, him, John, and a girl John asked to dinner" I said
"Oh no" Colin said
"It's Carly. She's nice. But this is going to be so awkward. I was going to try and look nice too. I don't think I want to now" I laughed
"Is that what you are wearing?" Colin asked
"Yup" I nodded
"That's fine" Colin said
"Thanks bud. He's on his way too. So I don't even have time to change if I wanted to" I shrugged
He laughed and went back to what he was doing. I got a text saying he was here and i walked outside. Hopping in the passenger seat Ryan smiled at me.
"Hey" He said
"Hey" I replied
"You look nice" He smiled
"Thank you" I said back
We talked a little bit on the way to the restaurant and it was kinda awkward. He didn't look at me and when he did it was a quick glance. Also the air is just...awkward. Pulling up to the restaurant, we walked in and John and Carly were already there. They were sitting across from each other in a booth. Then Ryan sat next to John. So I sat next to Carly and she smiled at me. We all chatted a bit, and Carly didn't talk much. Ryan and John were mostly talking to themselves. I chimed in a hand full of times. We all ordered food and decided against dessert.
"So you beat Kate last night" Ryan said
"Only by like a tenth of a second" I shrugged
"How do you two do when the other wins?" Ryan asked
"Cause you're competitive as shit" John laughed
I don't know how he knows that...
"We aren't competitive against each other. Just other people. Sometimes." I chuckled
John and Ryan looked at each other then said they were going to the bathroom. I wonder why they are going at the same time.
"So, how are you enjoying this dinner" I laughed
"Honestly. It's awkward. So was the drive" She said
"Same here." I laughed
"I mean, when John asked me to dinner he said it was going to be with you and Ryan. And honestly I just came to meet you" She said and her face got red
"Aww. That's sweet. I thought it was just me and Ryan till he said he was on his way. He was like oh by the way" I laughed
"You are legit my barrel racing idol. And Kate. And you guys are friends and i love it. I wish I was that good" She smiled
"You're too sweet" I smiled
"Uhm. I know you will probably say no. But do you have any tips on getting closer to the barrels?" Carly asked
"I can do you better then tips. Kate and I used to do like camp things. You can come practice with us. I got the okay from my ranch owner, who's also my boss. To do our little Barrel racing training thing" I said
"OMG. I would love that. I might die from being with both of you cause.. idols. Even though we are the same age. But still" She smiled
"Well, I'll talk to Kate and let you know" I smiled
Carly smiled and I gave her my number. She was at the rodeo last night. I didn't see her run but when she's ahead of me she goes wide on the turns. So I guess we'll find out why. The boys came back and paid then we all left. And que the awkward ride home. Once he dropped me off, he waved bye and I went inside and called Kate.
"Wait. That's so sweet. Of course we can have her come practice. She was going wide last night, so we can see why she doesn't cut close" Kate said
"Her face got so red. She's really nice. I wonder what made John ask her. Then again, he's probably a player so.." I said
"You have a point" She laughed
"Well, it's late. I have work tomorrow. Tonight was weird a hell. But I will text her and see if she can come Saturday. Work before the rodeo." I said
"Okay. Let me know" Kate said
"Night babe. Love you" I yawned
"Love you babes" She replied back
Hanging up, it was bed time and I'm excited about that.
~*~
"Well, it's suppose to storm today so there's no rodeo tonight" I laughed
"I'm so glad to be here though" Carly smiled
"Well we have three hours till this storm is suppose to hit. So two hours to practice and an hour to get back to our on barns and get home" Kate laughed
We rode around the arena and chatted with Carly on why she goes so wide. She said she was scared. So we had her start by just trotting around getting closer and closer.
"What if I hit the barrel with my leg?" Carly asked
"It hurts like a bitch" I laughed
"And you end up in a leg brace most of the time" Kate nodded
"Oh no" Carly said
"Just don't get too too close. And keep your legs tight." I said
"We just want you to get a little closer today. And if you want to come hang out with us again, we'll try and get closer. It's all of matter of what you're comfortable with" Kate said
She nodded. We saw John an Ryan go by and Carly asked us if they board here. Then we got into talking about last night. That was a one time thing for her and John. She doesn't even know why he asked her. I don't think i'm going to go out with Ryan again. I mean he's nice. But when it's one on one it's awkward as hell. Now he might have been nervous because who wouldn't when going out with me. Just kidding. But I just wasn't feeling it. Kate and I ran barrels a few times and I ran them slow since my horse isn't as bat shit crazy as hers. Then it started to get really dark.
"Well I think it's about time to call it" Kate said
"I think that was a good two and a half hours" I smiled
"Thank you guys so much. I'm going to practice at my barn. And hopefully be a little better next week. I won't be as good as you two but maybe one day" She smiled
"It was nice meeting you Carly" Kate said
"It was nice to meet you too" Carly smiled back
We went down to the barn and I helped them pack up their trailers. Then it started to drizzle. I left Gypsy in the barn so I could help them. Once they pulled away the rain picked up. I went into the barn and untacked Gypsy, and groomed him. Then put him in the pasture. Now i'm soaked. Walking back into the barn, I cleaned my space and out walked to bonded duo.
"What was Carly doing here?" Ryan asked
"Training" I said
"What was Kate doing here then" John asked
"Training" I said again
"Didn't you just meet Carly?" Ryan asked
"Yup. And I told her she could come train with us" I said
"Did Deb okay that. She doesn't like when random people come" John smirked
"Yup. She knew. She said Kate and I can do our barrel racing camps" I nodded. They just looked at me.
"So, when did you two talk about this?" Ryan asked
"When y'all went to the bathroom. It was a while. We you two like jacking each other off or..?" I said
"Seriously Ella" John said
"Hey. I don't know what y'all do" I said
They just glared at me and I decided that it was time to leave. Then there was loud thunder.
"Oh man. Driving home is going to SUCK" I said
"Is your truck even going to make it?" I heard
"I have driven this thing is worse storms. Y'all better get home too before it gets worse" I said
"You know. You give people an attitude, then turn around and look out for them" John said
I just looked at him and blinked a few times. Then booked it for my truck. Starting her up, I drove home and ran in the house.
"Hey Kate. How many rodeos are left?" Colin asked
"I think... four. Then we have a big dinner. Well the barrel racers are. We all pitch in some money and rent a hall. Almost every year everyone comes. I think everyone is coming this year." I said
"Oh that's cool. I'm ready for the off season" He laughed
"Me too. I'm just waiting for snow. Gypsy also looks so snazzy in his blanket" I smiled
"Doesn't he love the snow too. I saw that video you post last year when you got hit with a big storm" He smiled
"Oh yeah. Everybody loved that" I said
He nodded and we watched some tv with the family. Oh, I still can't get over how happy that makes me feel. I didn't consider Janis and her kids family. Even when my dad was alive and we did everything together. They never liked me. That's fine though, they didn't get any of the money he had. Which, wasn't a lot. We weren't rich or anything. I don't know why she married my dad since she's a money whore. But hey, my dad was a good looking man and any women should of been honored to marry him. And my mom was the most gorgeous person out there. Anyway... we didn't lose power during this storm.