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My rodeo days are few and far between now. I spend most of my time acquiring the horses and getting them ready. But secretly, I also want to surprise G with a horse of her own. We’ve got the sheep she fell in love with coming home next week, so why not add another horse.
Tate heads back to his seat with two cans of beer and passes one to me.
Since Tate came back from New York a few years back, he ain’t the same man. He’s quiet, and arguably miserable. The complete contrast from Jett.
Once upon a time, he was the same level of unhinged and comedic. Now? He doesn’t leave the house much. He spends most of his time arguing with his fiancée.
“What made you want to venture out of the house today?” I ask, watching as they bring out the horses.
I ain’t interested in this lot. I’ve already spotted the three in the listings I’ve got my eye on.
“Avery is back,” he says.
“I didn’t know she left?”
He tells us nothing. He’s been with Avery for six years, and I’ve probably met her three times. And his son? I can count the number of times on my hands. Which is a damn shame. But the more we press it, the further Tate gets from us. So we’re watching how this plays out, and we’ve got tabs on everywhere that little boy goes, whether his mom likes it or not.
But Avery is always trotting around the globe, and Tate lets her take Mason with her. She’s the mayor's daughter and some kind of financial advisor for big companies.
“Yeah. She moved out and went to Vegas for a bit.”
“And you let her? And Mason?”
“I can’t fight it.”
“Can’t or won't, Tate? Why don’t you tell us shit like this? We can help?”
He sighs. “It’s complicated, Colt.”
“Being miserable doesn’t have to be that complicated, Tate. You can deny it however you want; we all know you ain’t been right for a long time.”
He rubs his hands over his face. “I think maybe I need to move away again, Colt. Me and Avery don’t work here. It ain’t fair on Mason. We need a fresh start.”
I crack my knuckles. “So, you have relationship problems and want to leave a whole ranch behind?”
“Jett is more than capable of dealing with it. He did the last time I left. I was in New York for three years, and he didn’t burn the ranch to the ground. He’s fine, Colt.”
“Why don’t you call it quits with Avery?” I ask, out of genuine curiosity.
“It’s complicated. Just leave it at that.”
I won’t be leaving it. I will today. But this conversation ain’t over.
“Where do you want to go?” I ask.
The next lot of horses come out, and that’s when I see her. The Duchess. Gianna’s horse. Jet-black coat. Around fifteen hands. Absolutely perfect for her.
“I’ve got a plan brewing that involves my contacts in Nashville,” he tells me.
I grin. “You ain’t got the lungs for Nashville, Tate. You can’t fuckin’ sing.”
He laughs, and it’s almost, almost, like Tate is back. “I’m thinking more about expanding our other businesses there.”
“Now that sounds interesting.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out, knowing exactly who it is by the way my body vibrates.
Wife: I have a surprise for you.
