Chapter 06

Gael

After the waiter walks away, I turn to Rayka, still not understanding that question she asked me earlier.

“Rayka, why did you ask me if I had another cousin?”

“Because it is not common for a PBR champion to compete inside rodeos, especially when the new season starts in a few days” Rayka explains to me and turns to Allan. “One question, was it you who applied for this challenge or the man who challenged you?”

“He challenged me after knowing that I was watching yesterday's ride.” Allan speaks and from the look on her face it was the wrong answer.

“And did you even remember that the Major in New York is next week?”

“Yes, I do, I'm the best, and I will win here and there.” Allan replies angrily, he hates to be doubted.

“I'm sorry to inform you, but you are not as good as you think, you were only champion this year because of the Iron Cowboy score, and yet, you almost lost to the Brazilian who won the Last Cowboy. So instead of bragging and accepting dangerous challenges, you should be concentrating on winning the 4 Majors and proving that you are the best.” Rayka retorts.

The brunette apparently not only understands the rodeo subject well but seems to have a passion for it. Under the table I squeeze Allan's arm, in a sign for him to stay calm and not cause a fight, he looks at me and luckily stays silent.

“Rayka relaxes, why are you so angry about this? Yesterday you were excited about the idea of this ride.” Liz asks.

“That was before I knew the details.”

“What details?” Ness asks.

“The owner of this bull tried to join the PBR and was turned down, now he comes to the AT&T, Iron Cowboy's place and challenges the PBR champion to ride.”

“Although it may be a coincidence that the boy was there yesterday, he must not have done the challenge without thinking, he is trying to show that he is better than the PBR.” Sarah speaks up.

“Beating the champion is the perfect way to do that.” Liz adds.

“And after tonight, everyone will agree with him when he says he's the best.” Ness finishes.

We all stare at the way they complement the initial idea, as if it were only one speaking, it seems as if they had rehearsed this conversation.

“You complete each other's sentences; how do you do that?” Charles asks.

“It's just that one of our teachers at university likes to do dynamics in the classroom, she gives us a situation and we have to try to figure out the motivation. And over time, we got used to doing that in our conversations.” Ness explains.

Listening to her talk takes me back to my time at university, it doesn't even seem that many years ago. I remember that I had dynamic classes just like theirs, my study trio was with David and Hillary, who are currently around the world with Doctors Without Borders.

“I also had classes like that, but in my case the teacher spoke symptoms and we had to find out what the disease could be.” I speak nostalgically.

“A prototype of Doctor G****e?” Rayka asks with a smile, and as I imagined she looks even more beautiful smiling.

“No, an advanced version, we didn't mention that the patient is almost dying.” I say, joining in her joke.

Our food arrives and there is no denying that Texans know how to barbecue, even though it is prepared in a tent, the food is very good.

For a while we sat in silence, enjoying the delicious meal.

“Returning to the previous subject, you made those assumptions based on my defeat, so there is nothing to worry about, since I will not fall.” Allan speaks with confidence.

“Just like how you didn't fall in Last Cowboy?” Rayka asks.

“That was a stroke of bad luck, and after all, why are you so worried about this matter?” Allan asks her.

“Because my father is one of the founders of the PBR and the creator of Iron Cowboy, as well as the biggest winner of Stock Contractor.”

As far as I remember, this Stock Contractor is given to the bull owner who provided the best animals for riding. Now I understand her passion for rodeos, if her father created the organization, then she was probably raised in it and learned everything about it from a young age.

“Are you Andrew Powell's daughter?” Allan asks shocked.

“Exactly, now you understand why this question is of interest to me.”

“Yes, I do, you know it was your father's bull that knocked me off the Last Cowboy, right?”

“Technically yes, but in reality, the Tsunami is mine, I gave him the name because when he jumps, he is almost vertical.” Rayka speaks and I notice a pride similar to that of a mother talking about her son. “But on the other hand, you managed to stop the Destroyer during the Iron Cowboy, that's a feat for few.”

“Let me guess, another bull of yours?” I asks.

“Yes, my two prides.” She speaks with a beautiful smile that lights up her face.

“How about we change the subject, since this event is only in the evening, what can we do in the afternoon?” Liz asks.

“How about we go to Six Flags for some fun?” Allan suggests.

I've been to the Six Flags Park in Atlanta many times, but they say the Texas park is the company's largest with many versions of roller coasters.

“We can go for all I care.” I says.

“I will do it.” Bryan says.

“Me too.” Says Liz, I think this girl agrees with everything Bryan says.

“I love the idea of going there.” Rayka says.

“Of course, you did, you love riding Titan.” Ness says, receiving a shrug from Rayka. “I'm up for it too.”

“I like the idea, I will go.” Charles says.

“I've always wanted to see the park here in Texas, I will go.” Sarah says. “But these rides are usually paired rides, so I suggest we make it a fixed partnership system, so you don't have to decide who sits with whom on every ride.”

“Good thinking, and what will the pairs be like?” Rayka asks.

“Certainly, man and woman, I don't want to have to hold a male's hand for fear.” Bryan says.

“The only one who will soil his pants in fear here is you, but I liked the idea of being in couples.” Charles says.

“You see, cousin, you were angry for nothing at that time, fate is making us choose now.” Allan says.

I give him a cross look, not believing that he brought to the conversation what happened earlier, despite the pose that Rayka has shown since we met, I know she will be hurt to know the way she was referred to in that conversation.

“Not exactly, just use chivalry and let the girls decide who you want to pair up with.”

“What are you talking about?” Rayka asks looking at me and then at the others waiting for an answer.

“Nothing much, it's just that earlier, I was talking about you and said that you are a rabid pit bull, and Charles and Allan were afraid to face you.” Bryan explains as if it was no big deal what they did.

“It's one thing for you to make these jokes about Rayka, but I can't believe you would talk about her like that to strangers.” Ness looks furious. “There's no need for her to try and kill you, I will do it myself.”

Ness starts slapping him across the table. I think the slaps that Bryan is getting are well-deserved, but I notice that Rayka is quiet, she has not yet spoken her mind on this matter. When I look at her, despite her brown eyes, what I see reminds me of the sea before a tsunami, when it calmly recedes and then devastates everything.

“Ness arrives, people are watching.” Rayka speaks calmly. “There's no point in fighting with your brother about it, he's always been an idiot and a few slaps from you or me won't change him. 'You know Bryan, you call me a rabid pit bull, but I'd rather be an angry person, who isn't afraid to fight for what I believe in, than someone like you, who doesn't understand what feeling is, unless it's useful for you to use.” She was heavy-handed, but I don't take away her reasoning.

“Rayka, if you want to leave, I will go with you.” Sarah speaks.

Although I can understand that she wants to get away from us, I am sad to see that because of the childishness of the boys she and her friends will leave, their arrival made the day livelier and more fun.

“No Sarah, I'm not going to end our trip because of that, the plans remain.” Rayka speaks with a smile.

She is indeed amazing, she will stay despite everything, but something tells me that this story did not end here.

“Are you sure about that?” Ness asks.

“Of course, I am, if I can stand a day in court, I can stand your brother for a few hours.” She replies jokingly.

“What about the partnership system, are we still going to do it?” Charles asks.

“Yes, we will, it will be easier, but I won't choose anything.”

This shows that she is more hurt than she let on.

“I will be your partner.” Liz says hugging Rayka and receiving a shocked look from her friends.

I didn't expect that, the way the girl has been acting since she arrived, I thought she would want to partner with Bryan and stick to him, but apparently the bond with her friend is stronger than her feelings for him.

“Thank you, Liz, but as I said, I will not choose, you make the choice and what you decide for me ok.” She says getting up from the table. “I will be back soon.”

And with that she left the table leaving us there.

Her behavior reminds me too much of my sister Gwen, who always acts maturely, regardless of how hurt she feels about a situation. Rayka is an incredibly mature woman.

“Is that why you wanted us to come here?” Ness asks and continues before her brother can answer. “To hurt Rayka? To ruin our meeting?”

“You guys are making too much drama; it was just a joke.” Bryan says without answering any of his sister's questions.

“And you need to grow up and stop thinking that life is just a joke.” Ness retorts.

“Guys let's not fight.” Liz asks. “I will pair up with Rayka, Ness with Sarah, and the boys split up as they see fit.”

Although Liz's suggestion is good and easily solves the problems, I wonder how it will be for Rayka, because the problem started the moment Bryan said that the boys did not want to be with her for fear. I wonder if she won't feel rejected when we do this kind of partnership, since the initial plan was to form couples.

“I think it's best to stick to the original plan, I will be Rayka's partner. And while you decide the other pairs, I will go look for her.” I stand up.

“Didn't you say we should be gentlemen and let the girls choose?” Allan asks laughing.

“That was before you guys created all this trouble, and enough with the jokes, before things get even worse.”

Having said that, I move away from the table and go in search of Rayka.