Word Count: 30,009
Summary of Events:
Kingston and Monty talked around the campfire about Kingston's strained relationship with Quinn, which Kingston explained was because Quinn was an incorrigible boaster. Back at rodeo action again, Kingston hoped for an improvement, but instead failed again to hang on long enough; his slamming of things in frustration attracted the attention of an attractive young barrel racer he'd never met and they chatted until she had to go compete. The next day found Kingston and Drew headed off to another rodeo, making a stop at a favourite restaurant on the way there . . .
Excerpt of the Day:
Now Kingston was back at the rodeo grounds surveying the stock, while Drew did his routine that apparently helped him to ride better. Kingston didn’t really feel like trying it, he doubted it would really have that much of an effect.
“Hey, if it isn’t the kid King.”
Kingston flinched somewhat with the rather heavy hit onto his upper arm the speaker levelled before looking toward the strong, similarly tall, and much more experienced bronc rider who’d levelled it.
“Afternoon Royce,” Kingston said.
“How’ve things been going this season kid?” Royce asked. “Truck’s still running?”
“Yeah,” Kingston replied. “I’m not too worried about it. It’s only a four year old and it has less than a hundred thousand clicks on it.”
“Oh, you got a new one,” Royce said. “Not that old beater.”
“It wasn’t worth fixing,” Kingston said.
“What about Sunderland?” Royce asked.
“We went halves on the truck,” Kingston replied. “It was the only way we could afford it.”
“Oh,” Royce said. “So you’ve got a permanent travelling companion.”
“Unless one of us decides we want out,” Kingston replied. “His uncle drew us up a contract for whenever that happens.”
“So you think it will?” Royce asked.
“Yeah,” Kingston replied. “Not because we don’t get along, or are at risk of not getting along, but because I get the impression that Drew wouldn’t mind marrying younger than I would, and, when that happens he’d probably like to not have a bachelor buddy riding with him.”
“I never thought of that angle,” Royce said. “But I guess that could always happen.”
Kingston nodded. He certainly hoped it was something more like a marriage that caused their travels together to come to an end than a disagreement, and he was largely confident it would be at this point in time.
“So how’s the season been going kid?” Royce asked.
“Terrible,” Kingston replied.
“Oh, and what’s terrible mean?” Royce asked.
“I haven’t stuck a ride all season,” Kingston replied.
“Yikes,” Royce said. “That is terrible.”
Kingston nodded. “I’ve come close a couple times, but I just can’t seem to hang on long enough.”
“Well, it could always just be a sophomore slump,” Royce said. “I had one myself, although I don’t know that I had a long streak without a ride. Things picked up for me in the later portion of that season, so don’t worry kid, it’ll come around yet. Let’s hope you get some points soon, though.”
“Yeah,” Kingston agreed, nodding.
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