22 The Apology

Billie Bob Jones

Even though Benedito's room was just across the hall from mine, his was nothing like mine. Instead of the semi-luxury suite I had his was a full on presidential suite. I had noticed he had a thing for cream white and dark furniture. I was no interior design expert but it almost reminded me of a trip I once took with Ma to a French designed hotel in Los Angeles.

The presidential suite was too custom for it too simply be a coincidence. The guard led me through multiple rooms until we reached the large balcony. Folding doors separated the inside from the outside, they were left open allowing a cool breeze to flood the suite.

My eyes finally found the billionaire as he sat on cream chair dressed in black trousers, black formal shoes and a white silk button up shirt that slightly exposed his tattooed chest. His hair was down allowing for the wind to gently blow it back exposing his face. His left leg was over his right as he looked at his phone with a blank expression.

"You may sit," the guard told me as he tilted his head to the empty chair in front of Benedito. I simply nodded and did as told. He left soon after.

"How may I help you?" Benedito finally looked up to me once he had placed his phone on the side table next to him.

"I came to apologize," I sighed as I clasped my hands and rested them on my lap.

He raised his right eyebrow and leaned forward, "for what?"

I took a deep breath in before continuing, "For what took place in the… umm in my room. I should have not reacted the way I did but rather respectfully told you off," wait that did not sound right, "I don't want things to get awkward between us because after all we are business associates and the last thing I would want is to ruin our relations for Clyde."

"So you do not want me?" he slightly pouted seeming baffled with the idea.

"It's not the situation of if I want you or not but rather just the way things have to be. Things have to stay professional between us not to ruin this opportunity for the ranch," I explained.

"Whether you want me or not will not affect my investment with the ranch."

"Well I can't take that risk," I sighed, "I'm not that kind of guy. If you catch my drift and I completely respect you for telling me about your preference, but I- I can't do that."

"That I'm gay?" he pursed his lips and tilted his head. "Are you scared to say it?"

"I have no problem with it. I just-" I quickly shook my head not wanting to get into it any further, "Listen I'm just sorry about this whole mess and I just hope we can start over."

He looked at me like I had just grown another head. I wondered what he thought about my apology. I normally never had any reason to apologize to anyone because I never fought with many people.

Benedito of course was the exception.

He knew how to get under my skin within a blink of an eye and I could tell he enjoyed it. He enjoyed knowing only he could make me show a part of myself I never showed anyone else.

"Very well," he shrugged, "I apologize as well for not asking you in the first place."

"Apology accepted," I nodded and stood up before he would want to dig deeper into the conversation. "I will see you at dinner." Instead of answering me he thoughtfully nodded and looked back at the view of the city.

Although he did not attend dinner. Apparently he had something to attend to and could not make it. I felt that maybe he was avoiding me, after all I had rejected it him. Not to be cocky but I would be heartbroken as well if someone like myself rejected me.

The next morning I was up early and got ready for the rodeo. I wore the outfit Great American had prepared for me which was dark denim jeans that had their signature print on my back pockets, a navy blue pearl snap long sleeve shirt, a dark brown hat and black aviator sunglasses. My boots were a dark matte brown and I liked the outfit.

It was simple and comfortable. With all the gear I could be putting on later that was exactly what I needed. I went down to the hotel restaurant where we all had breakfast except for Benedito once again and Dita.

After I had gotten my gear from my room and went back down to the lobby I was surprised to find him standing there with Dita. He was dressed in tighter black jeans, a muscle tee v neck shirt that showed off every inch of muscle on his torso; which was a lot, the tattoos on his arm all the way up to the nap of his neck were on full display.

He had a black cowboy hat on, matching boots and designer black sunglasses.

He looked good.

Extremely good.

Dita looked no different. She was dressed in a light mid-thigh denim skirt, a white loose button up long sleeve shirt that was neatly tucked in and red cowgirl boots with a matching cowgirl hat. Her red hair was still down making her glow. Already she had everyone staring at her I could imagine when we got to the arena.

"How you feeling Bobby?" Dita smiled as I approached everyone. I tried to feel her enthusiasm but I could not ignore how she was holding Benedito's hand.

"Great," I smiled hoping it looked real. Benedito did not spare me a glance until we left the hotel. He always looked withdrawn but today was worse and I could not help but blame myself. Although he seemed cozy enough with Dita by his side.

The arena was packing with rodeo lovers from all across Texas. This was one of the smaller rodeos that got you qualified for the big PRCA. In a sense it was what got your foot in the door, what warmed you up for the big event and got your fan base going.

Just being in the atmosphere made my head giddy with excitement as we parked. Benedito's convoy of security clearly drew a lot of attention to them but it got worse once they stepped out of the car. He and Dita caused a steer as women shamelessly eyed him down and men drooled over Dita.

From what Ronaldo told us, Benedito had reserved a VIP area for them which was expected for the second richest man on earth.

"For once the attention ain't on you Bobby," Rob chuckled as we walked to the riders' entrance.

"Very funny," I rolled my eyes. Clyde had gone off with Benedito of course. Leroy and JD would meet us inside by the lockers before the riding would start.

The whole rodeo itself took hours. Being in the locker room with fellow riders, you always had to be sharp. It was no secret some of them did not like me. I was young and was already titled one of the greatest. I flew up the ranks in record time and some had been in the industry for years.

Some were really good friends of mine and always helped lessen the tension before one took center stage. I could not help but light a cigarette as the next group of us went out to the arena. Crowds cheered for the fellow riders.

My eyes scanned the seats to try find Clyde and everyone else. It was hard to not see the group of security with Benedito. Other people sat with them and from how Clyde and he were engaged in conversation with people I had never seen before I knew it was the directors of the event.

Eventually after an additional hour my name was called out through the large speakers. The crowd burst out in a cheer as I lifted myself up on one of the rails and waved. My gear was already on so all I had to do was get onto the bull.

"Okay Bobby you got this, this one is known for its helicopter movements so make sure you hold on tight," Leroy whispered to me. I lowly hummed and changed my positioning a bit already preparing my body.

I looked to the two men who were waiting by the gate and nodded. Right on cue the gate was open and the bull went charging out. I made sure to keep my breathing calm and moved my body adequately.

The cheer of the crowd was deafened by my heart beat as I focused on my form. The eight seconds I stayed on felt like hours when eventually I heard the loud horn telling me I had stayed on for eight seconds. I fell off and the crowd's screams finally came back as I quickly ran to the rails as the rodeo clowns and bull fighters led the bull back to the pens.

After an excruciating hour the results for the day's rodeo finally came back from the judges.

"In first place scoring a perfect ninety is!" the man from the intercom cheerfully announced, "The man of ninety! Billie Bob Jones!"

I screamed as Rob and Leroy hugged me. Even though I had a lot of belts under my name I would never get used to the feeling of winning yet another large championship gold belt buckle. It took just two hours to leave as I had to meet the directors, the judges, take pictures with fans and sign autographs.

Riding was the one thing I understood and actually knew how to do. That for those hours the chaos between Dito and I was simply a backdrop.