Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
“You didn’t fail. You had one bad game, along with every other player on the team. It happens.”
He shakes his head. “The whole world was watching and rooting for me to fucking fail. And I did. And now, that game is what I’ll always be remembered for, above all else. I’ll be remembered as a choker.” He swallows hard, clearly trying to stifle the emotion that’s crept into his voice.
I squeeze his forearm in my grasp. “No, my love. The best is yet to come.”
His chest heaves. “What if the haters have been right about me all along? What if I really am nothing but a loser, a choker, an overpriced, overhyped egomaniac who’ll never deliver when it matters most?”
An idea strikes. With full authority and confidence, I grab his hand and hold it firmly in mine. “Go put on some jeans and sneakers, baby. I’m taking you to the horse ranch for the rest of the day.”
Roman exhales. “Baby, no. I’m sorry. I need to watch some more game films and—”
“No, you don’t. Coach told you to take the day off.”
“I know, but—”
“No buts. Coach Hardy knows better than you. And so do I. Go on.” I point toward the staircase leading to our bedroom upstairs. “Get dressed, love. You’re coming with me. For the rest of the day, your ass is mine.”
Chapter 38
Roman
“Okie doke,” Iris says brightly, after tightening the cinch around Cheerio’s belly. “He’s all ready for you, cowboy.”
I lumber over to the horse and climb aboard. But I’m not happy about it. I love Iris, though. And she was absolutely right at the house earlier: I’ve iced her out, thereby stupidly risking everything with her. So, whatever she wants me to do today to fix my fuckup, I’ll do it.
In one fluid motion, Iris elegantly mounts Trixie nearby. “Ready?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her blue eyes sparkle. “Notice anything different about Cheerio’s tack today?”
I look around cluelessly, not sure what she means. At the reins in my hands. The stirrups at my feet. It all looks the same as always to me. “Is this some kind of a wax-on, wax-off thing? Am I supposed to find deep meaning in something mundane, or is there something really big I’m missing?”
Iris laughs. “It’s a small thing. Something I think might help me make a point to you.” She pauses, apparently awaiting something from me. When I don’t speak, she says, “Okay, I’ll tell you about it later, during the ride. That’ll give you the chance to notice it on your own.”
That’s fine with me. I’m not in the mood for guessing games today. Not in the mood to try, and fail, to reach some divine epiphany. I just want to take in the fresh air, enjoy some alone time with my woman, and try to make things up to her, as best I can.
With a squeeze of her thighs and a clipped clicking noise from her mouth, Iris expertly signals her horse to lead us out of the barn and onto her favorite trail. And for the next several minutes, we ride in silence, the only sounds coming from the horses’ hooves on the dirt and occasional rocks, mingled their soft exhales and whinnies.
“How are you doing back there?” Iris asks after a bit.
“Good.” I don’t how it happened or when, but it’s an honest answer. I’m good. Not great, but good. My shoulders and back feel a lot less tense and tight than only a few minutes ago. My mind is clearing, too. Could it be my brilliant Iris was on to something when she commanded me here, after all?
“Have you noticed the different thing yet?” Iris asks.
I roll my eyes to myself. “Just tell me, babe. I don’t have energy for guessing games today.”
“There’s a new piece of equipment on Cheerio’s head today.”
I look down at my horse’s head, and I’ll be damned, two square pieces of leather are abutting his eyes on either side of his head. “What are those things?”
“Blinders.”
“I didn’t even notice. I guess I’ve been distracted.”
“Isn’t it amazing that something can be there, all along? Just sitting there in front of your nose, but you don’t even see it because your mind is focused on things that don’t even exist?”
I chuckle. “So, this is gonna be a wax-on, wax-off kind of thing.”
“Just saying, sometimes, you have to consciously focus on what’s in front of you to be able to see it clearly. As I’m sure you know, Mr. I Can Do Everything Myself, the past is gone. The future hasn’t happened yet. The only thing that’s real is the present.”
“Okay, Yoda. Go ahead and give me whatever little speech you’ve been cooking up in your brilliant head about blinders now. I’m listening.”
She snickers. “Do you know the purpose of blinders?”
“To keep the horse from looking around, I presume.”