GaelAt the hotel, we go to the door that gives access to the stage, and as soon as I enter the hall I am shocked by the decoration, the floor is with a carpet that looks like sand, the walls are with curtains that simulate a fence like the rodeo arena, on the tables there are decorations that look like shadows of cowboys riding bulls and on the chairs a cape like a cowboy vest and to complete in a corner a mini rodeo arena with a mechanical bull.The stage is even more decorated, with lots of straw on the floor and some plush oxen, instead of the table, there are some wooden barrels, the middle one with a three-story cake and on top a mini arena with a candle that looks like Adam riding a bull, the other barrels are with cupcakes.“My mom really went all out this time.”It was a lot of effort, I would never have thought of even half of this decoration, I can't answer him, Adam struggles to get off my lap, I go down the stairs of the stage and release him, who ran out of the hall. I t
Rayka They say that there is no better place in the world than home, and every time I come to Amarillo, I feel that this saying is true, here will always be my home, my refuge, my safe haven. I take advantage of being here and go for a ride around the city on Poseidon, my Shire horse, it's nice to be able to ride again and feel the wind on my face. This is the first time I've been home since I decided to stay in Boston after college. It's where I will be opening a law office, along with Vanessa, who prefers to be called just Ness, Anelise, who we call just Liz, and Sarah, who like me, prefers not to shorten her name. Ness and I have been friends since we were kids and grew up together in Amarillo, when we got to Harvard, we couldn't be roommates and that's how we became friends with Sarah and Liz, our roommates respectively, and since then, our quartet has been inseparable. At first it was strange to live in Boston, because the weather is cooler there than in Texas, not to mention
Rayka“Now let's talk about something else, Rayka what are your plans for these days?”“My father is preparing a delicious barbecue by the pool for today.”Like any good Texan, my dad loves a barbecue, so he built a gourmet area in the basement of our house, with a heated pool for us to use in the winter.“And I thought we'd go out to the farm early tomorrow, drive around, and come back at the end of the day for the party.”“Oh, no Rayka, you know I want to take these days to be with Bryan.” Liz says.Of course, she wants to, I look at Ness and shrug, we both know that Liz will insist on it.“As for that Liz, Bryan is not coming to Amarillo, he decided to spend the holiday in Arlington.” Ness speaks up.“I can't believe he did that.” Liz speaks up, I look through the rearview mirror just in time to see her wiping away a tear.“Don't cry Liz, he doesn't deserve your tears, if he was worthy of them, he wouldn't make you cry, come on, hold your head up, you are a strong woman and you des
RaykaThe girls and I hang out by the pool, the argument in the car is forgotten as we laugh and joke, when the meat is ready, we get out of the pool and put on our robes to sit by the table.My dad went all out with the meal consisting of Beef Brisket and Pulled Pork accompanied by macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and pickles. For dessert we have a Banana Pudding and vanilla ice cream.After dinner we go back to my room and after taking a hot shower and putting on a comfortable outfit, we lay down on the bed to watch a movie, I put on the movie Wolves with Jason Momoa as the villain, I love this actor and I haven't had a chance to watch this movie yet“Oh, back home.” I speak at the end of the movie. “Of this bad wolf, I certainly want to be the little hat.”“We already know what kind of man to look for to be Rayka's boyfriend, an older guy, who is very tall, with long hair and a brave face.” Sarah says.“Perfect description, if you find one like that, you can deliver my address
RaykaJames is not very happy about having to travel on New Year's Eve, but I explain that he just needs to drop us off at Arlington and go home, I don't see why he should have to stay there waiting for us and thus be away from his family during New Year's Eve.Luckily the suites at the hotel were easy to get, without even using my last name and soon I have all four rooms booked, as well as all the services we will need for the time of stay, even though I am sure that one will not be used since Liz will probably stay with Bryan.I see that the girls are still trying on clothes and boots as well as some hats and jewelry that I have available for these events, but there is no way to carry the hats in the bag, easier to buy there, Dallas has great options. I realize that I need to pack my suitcase as well and for that reason I go to the closet to choose the clothes I will wear tomorrow, in addition to the brown boot, I choose black riding pants, a 3⁄4 sleeve red wet velvet bodysuit and a
GaelSitting at the table of one of the tents that have been set up around the stadium, I am watching how beautiful the Texan landscape is. Although Allan has been living in Texas for a few years, this is the first time I've come to visit him, I hardly have any time off from the hospital and when I do I prefer to visit my parents. Because of this, although we are very close, we usually hardly see each other, since he makes a living traveling the country to compete in rodeos, so we see each other more in Atlanta, where our parents still live, or when he is near Miami and goes to visit me.Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to live in a coastal city, and after graduating, I chose Miami to be my home, I managed to buy a nice house in Allapattah, with three bedrooms, one of them en suite, and even with a pool in the back. For a long time, I lived alone, and since I spend more time at the hospital than at home, it never bothered me.It's a bit strange not being with my family on the h
GaelAfter 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
GaelI see that Rayka is already at the end of the eating area, and as she is walking slowly, I run to catch up with her.“Rayka, wait.” I call out as soon as I'm close, so she can hear me.She stops and turns to me; from her expression I imagine she is surprised that I have come after her.“Gael, what do you want?” She looks suspicious.“Accompanying her, in Scouts, we are taught that we should always stand next to our partner in a system of partnerships.”“I thought my partner would be Liz.”Only then I realize that I decided to be her partner, thinking it would be the best, but I didn't think about what she wants, it may be that she prefers to be with her friend and not with me.“I asked to be your partner, but if you don't want my company, it's okay.” I say leaving the final decision to her.“It's not that, I was just surprised, and I don't mind us being a couple.”“Good, so where are we going?”“Here at the stadium, there is a Cowboys store, I need to buy some accessories before