May 11, Crockett, TX
I pulled into the grounds and parked. Can't wait for first place. Colt couldn't ride the last two nights since he was so drunk. I've been holding on long enough to ride without screwing up. I just wish he were sober enough for me to tell him what happened that night.
I got out and got Reno out to stretch her legs. I just wish I could ride that solid black horse again. I saw him and he saw me. I quietly went up to him. I petted him until I heard a door open. Jet nipped at my butt as I got Reno to move.
I turned right between the trailers. There he was rubbing his hand down Jet's neck. I quickly led Reno back to our trailer. As I got there, Izzy was waiting. "There you are. Someone is pissed and they're pointing the blame at you." "Who?" "Max Hunter." "That bastard." "I know Nathan went over to tell Mikey now."
Of all people, that Son of a bitch. Had to go and pull a stunt. "It's not just targeting you, it's targeting Colt, too." "What did he say?" "That Colt got you pregnant." "That's bullshit." "I know, and if that was the situation, he wouldn't be drinking. He would have told you to go home and stay there for the sake of the unborn child." "Exactly."
I was fuming now. I quickly put Reno up in her pen. "Where's he?" I asked her. She pointed to a brand spanking new Chevy at the very end. I put my spurs on. I'm pissed.
I walked down the lot to his truck and trailer. Izzy and another woman were on my side. "Names Miranda. This isn't the first time he's pulled this stunt. Last year, it was me and a random cowboy. I'll help you with this beating." Miranda had explained, holding out a hand to shake. Taking the woman's hand, she spoke. "Nice to meet you, Miranda, and thanks for the help."
Once we were there, I pulled out my pocket knife and slashed his tires. All his tires, including the trailer tires. He left the window down with the truck unlocked. I got into the truck, letting the girls help by carving into his seats.
We were done in less than ten minutes. We locked the truck and took off running. We heard a door slam. I pulled both girls to the side of a random truck. "Drouten." He yelled. I was extremely close to laughing out loud.
We heard boot steps coming this way. I gently shoved them. We moved quickly. Making sure we weren't caught. Once we were on the opposite side, I led them into my trailer and locked the door. I locked Reno in the trailer until he was gone.
'What did u do?' Mikey
'He made up a rumor bout me and Colt, so I got revenge'
'Ur always one for revenge, so is he'
'Don't care'
"Hedli, you better show or else that rumor will be true." I quickly wrote a note and taped it up. I heard boots coming up the side. I wrote on it: dear Max, since you can't find me you can go suck a big fat dick. Not sorry, Hedli.
"Bitch." He said as he walked away. The girls and I laughed loudly. "Oh, that's Nathan, he and the guys watched us do it, except Colt. He's passed out." Another round of laughter commenced.
"He had it coming," Miranda said. "He did," Izzy said, laughing. "Wait till he comes back," I said. "Oh no." The two said together. We heard two pairs of boots making their way to my trailer. They stopped before a knock came on the door.
"It's me, Hedli," Nathan said. I opened the door and let him and Mikey in. They had Colt on either side of them, dragging him in. "We couldn't leave him there alone in the quarters," Mikey explained.
"Just lock him in the bathroom," I told them. They shrugged and did as told. "He was pissed after seeing the damage," Nathan said almost laughing.
"Got a video?" Miranda asked. "Dang it, I could've and you are?" Nathan asked. "Miranda Juts. Daughter of the famous Brandon Juts." "Ah, nice to meet you. I'm Mikael Diaz." Mikey said. "Nice to meet you, Mikael," Miranda said. "And I'm Nathan Smith." Nice to meet you, Nathan, and the one in the bathroom is?" "Ah, that's my ex. I have no idea how it came to that. His name is Colt Ray."
"Oh." "Yeah." A knock made me jump. I looked out and saw Max standing there, banging on my door. "I know you're in there." Then Luke showed up. "Crap," I said aloud. "What?" "Luke and Max."
_____________________________________________________
May 13
I cut around the last barrel and kicked it home. Izzy congratulated me on my ride. Nathan almost tackled me when I got off my horse. He's become like a big brother to me. "I'll take Reno and get her cooled. Stay safe, Cookie." He calls me Cookie while he calls his girlfriend babe or baby.
I walked to the edge of the chutes. Bull riding just started. Colt was riding a Brahma bull. I still care about him, I just wish he saw what was going on with me.
Once bull riding was over, I made my way to the broncs. I drew my horse and got ready. I was first tonight because I was sober enough to get a good score last night. The past few weeks, I've been watching how much I've been drinking.
Once I heard the scores, Colt had been knocked down farther. I was still in first place. I walked back to my trailer and locked myself in it.
I changed into his shirt and got another bottle of whiskey. I had at least a fourth of the bottle before I threw up. "Hedli," Izzy yelled. I threw up again. "Now I've done it," I said before throwing up again. The door broke open. Mikey and Nathan had broken it open. Mikey was the first to find me.
I was extremely dizzy and dehydrated from puking. "She's alcohol poisoned." I heard him yell. The next things were blurry before I blacked out.
*****************************************************
Colt's P.O.V.
I sat there watching the team ropers drinking my pain numb from the message I got. I went to see if it was true, but she pushed me away. Never has she done that.
I downed my fifth beer of the night. Several men, including Mikey and Nathan, have tried to get me to stop and just ask her what happened. Not until I'm done with all the alcohol I can consume.
*****************************************************
Hedli's P.O.V.
I woke up in a hospital bed. I looked over to my left. Mikey was watching TV. I had an IV in my right arm. All I remembered was throwing up three times before everything went black and numb.
"Oh my gosh, Hedli, don't ever do that." He said. "What happened?" I asked. "You poisoned yourself with alcohol 'cupcake.'" I hated it when he said it like that. "It's not the first time," I told him. "What's the date?" I asked. "May twentieth." "Longer than last time." "Eh, bout a week." "Four days longer." "Oh, the doc said that you can go home when you're awake. I'd better call a nurse."
He pushed a button. A few minutes later, a nurse walked in. "Glad to see you up, Hedli. Ready to go home?" I nodded. "Well, let's hope for no more relapses of this. You were lucky to have people catch it before you blacked out."
She unhooked the IV, and I changed into clothes that were brought. "I've been taking care of Reno while you were here. Nathan and Izzy took turns as well as I." He said after I was dressed.
They discharged me from the hospital. I was still dizzy. "No traveling unless you're traveling with someone sober." He told me. "I have to keep an eye on you know who. Maybe you can get Izzy to travel with you. I heard Miranda's travel partner left without her, so I guess she could be a travel partner." He blabbed on.
Once back, I saw Miranda waiting. "Wanna hit the road? I'll drive first if you don't mind." I nodded. "Your horse with mine?" "Yeah, and everything's loaded up." I nodded. "In bout an hour, I'll give you some ibuprofen for the pain." She said.
I climbed into the front seat and buckled up. I checked my phone. Bucky had called twice. I called him back, hoping he wasn't busy.
"Hello?" He answered. "Hey, sorry I missed your calls." "It's fine. I heard you were in the hospital." "Yeah. It was because of another one of my depressed alcohol stages, or DAS." "Man, that sounds rough." "It was. From here on out, no more alcoholic beverages. That includes my wedding, bridal party, and honeymoon. If I have one." "Well, I gotta go. I'll let the fam know how you're doing. Bye." "Bye." I hung up and fell asleep to the radio.
*****************************************************
I woke up when we stopped for fuel. She got out, swiped her card, and hit diesel. Once a diesel truck driver, always a diesel truck driver. I got out and told her I was going to use the restroom. Once I was done, I got her and myself a drink. I got myself something to eat and went back out. I handed her the drink.
"Thanks, my favorite road drink." "You're welcome," I said as I got back into the passenger seat. I took some ibuprofen for my headache and ate.
*****************************************************
Colt's P.O.V.
I woke up and got dressed. Ever since what happened to Hedli, Mikey has taken away my drinking rights. I can start drinking when he isn't around and not get caught. I have a plan of drinking as much beer as I can before Mikey sees me with it.
We were parked at a gas station for the night. I looked out the window and saw her walking to a Ford truck. Another woman was with her. It wasn't Izzy, but she sure was with her. I slipped out and went into the convenience store.
I got coffee, wishing I knew why it wasn't Hedli getting it for me. Once I got back, Mikey was up. "Dude, we gotta hit the road if we're gonna make it." I nodded and got in.
He went in and came back a few minutes later. I watched Hedli's rig pull out just before Mikey caught me staring.
*****************************************************
Hedli's P.O.V.
I saw Colt walking to Mikey's truck and got in. I leaned against the window as Miranda pulled out. Man, I wish I could explain to him what happened.
June 9
I just finished bronc, and it was the last event tonight. I walked back to my trailer and closed the door behind me. The kitchenette knives were tempting.
I went into the bathroom and took a shower. I came back out with nothing on under his shirt. It's the same one I've had for weeks. They had taken all the alcohol out of its hiding place.
My bed was the only thing that looked uncomfortable.
*****************************************************
Colt's P.O.V.
I was standing there with several other cowboys. Listening to them as they talked and drank. I laughed when they did and commented when input was needed.
I saw Mikey coming. He turned and headed for the trailers before he could see me. I laughed. "And then I saw the craziest thing in my life." The man talking said. "Colt." My name was called.
The men turned to face Bucky. Crap I'm in trouble. "May I see my brother for a moment?" He asked. I walked over to him. He grabbed my shirt roughly and dragged me out. Once he let go, I felt pain in my jaw. "Dude, what have you done?" He asked.
I looked at him before taking another drink. He took the beer away and threw it. "No more." He said. "Why?" "You need to sober up to get up." He said, folding his arms. "Now you're going to go over to her and listen to what she has to say," I grumbled. He grabbed the shoulder of my shirt and shoved me. I started walking towards her trailer to do as my brother said.
*****************************************************
Hedli's P.O.V.
The knives kept on mocking me. Finally, I drew one out, ignoring the knock at my door. My hand shaky. I took a deep breath. My door slammed open. "No," I yelled. He took it out of my hand and threw it far from me.
He quickly spun me around and held my arms with one of his. His free hand held me by my waist. I could tell he was backing up. He sat down and wrapped his legs around mine. The entire time, I struggled and wracked in sobs while screaming no.