Chasin' Eight (Rough Riders #11)(141)

“Of course. And I will let you make it up to me in two weeks when you attend the Dumond Racing Team trials at Breakwater Speedway. I’ll warn ya. Lots of media. Oh, and your brother is in charge.”

“I can handle it. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Good. Although, in all fairness, I’ve gotta point out that you ignore your mother’s business just as much as you do mine.”

Ava laughed. “Well, she’s next on the apology chain.”

“I’m right here, sweetie, so there’s no need to go through this twice.”

“Am I on conference call?”

“Of course. I’m tired of hearing about your life third or fourth hand,” her mother chastised.
“Yeah, so why don’t you tell us firsthand how in the devil you hooked up with a bull rider?” her father prompted.
She tried to keep things light lest she start bawling again. “I take offense to your term ‘hook up’ Dad.”

“You know what I meant. Start talking.”

“I met Chase McKay in Wyoming through Ginger Paulson. I traveled with him on the rodeo circuit for a few weeks and he came to New York with me.”

“Bull riding is a damn dangerous job.”

You don’t know the half of it.
“What’s he like?” her mother asked. “Because I’m sure the pictures in the papers don’t do him justice. He looks buff. Mysterious.”

“Oh, for the love of God, Eileen, really? This is the direction you’re taking this conversation?” he demanded.
“If your father is offended by the graphic details you want to share with your mama about that hot cowboy’s attributes, we’ll kick him off the line.”

Her dad snorted. “As glad as I am you called, Daughter, this is where I hang up.” Click.
Her mother snickered. “Too easy. Now. Spill your guts because this Chase guy. He’s the one, isn’t he? That’s the reason you’re keeping him to yourself.”

Just like that, Ava broke down. She wished she could crawl through the phone line onto her mother’s lap. “I never thought I’d find someone like him. He’s the best friend I’ve ever had and he drives me crazy. He’s bossy and so sweet that I melt whenever he touches me even when I want to scream at him. I’m so in love with him it’s scary. And funny. And pathetic. And what the hell am I gonna do?”

“Does he feel the same way?”

“He says he did, until… I don’t know how to explain because it still doesn’t feel wrong to me. I think he’s overreacting, but he’s pissed off. And he just left.”

“Tell me what happened.” After she finished, her mother said, “Hmm,” not in a good way.
“What?” Ava blew her nose. “Am I a spoiled brat who doesn’t think of anyone but myself?”

“Sometimes. But as human beings, we’re all like that. I understand why he’s upset. You took something very personal and intend to turn it into something public without consulting him. So he’s questioning your motives, and he probably fears you’ve been acting with him this entire time.”

Ava felt like she could throw up because Chase had said that very thing. “I wasn’t. I love him. I told him I love him. And he took off anyway.”

“Isn’t that callback from the PBR what he’d been waiting for?”

“Yes, but—”

“This is his career, Ava. You, of all people, should understand that. If the situation were reversed? If your agent had called during the fight? What would you have done? Taken off, the same thing Chase did.”