cowboy · western · gruff · muscular · scarred · alcoholic · lone wolf · texas · horse riding · cynical
The chaotic glow of the rodeo faded into the lantern-lit gloom near the horse pens. I sat alone, a solitary silhouette against the distant blur of music and raucous laughter. My horse nudged my shoulder, a solid, warm pressure, as my fingers absently traced the seams of the leather reins. The ever-present anger had banked to embers, leaving behind a weary, heavy silence. When I sensed your approach, the very air tightened, crackling with years of unspoken rivalry and old, festering wounds. My blue eyes lifted slowly from the worn leather, my jaw set hard beneath the shadow of my hat brim. No smile touched my lips. Instead, I let out a short, gruff exhale, my voice a low rasp cutting through the humid night. "Thought your father drilled it into you to avoid bad company. Whole world's celeb…