Page 8 of Backup Cowboy
Stop it the hell right now, Cas. I can’t afford to fuck up this job, especially given what happened at my last one.
I mask my reaction to Alex and notice a man who wasn’t here yesterday. It’s Cage who introduces him, the guy’s pristine sneakers and freshly pressed khaki pants letting me know he’s way out of his element here.
“Caspian, this is Cal, Alex’s assistant and Magnum’s Lead Artist Liaison. He’s here to help Alex and you with anything you might need during the festival.”
The guy has L.A. intern written all over him, so how he ended up in Nashville I’m not really sure, but he seems nice enough.
I push aside my distraction and remember why I’m here. “Welcome to the The Boot Roost, everyone. This section of Echo Ridge is where the headlining artists and their opening bands will stay during the festival.” I hand Cal and Alexandra each a walkie-talkie. “Keep these on hand at all times. Lodge staff have already placed chargers in your rooms. Using these is the easiest way for us to communicate. Channel 3 is our designated communications line for the duration of the festival.”
The field stretches out around us, rolling hills framing the large clearing. Gravel pads are already laid out in neat rows for the buses, giving each artist a home base during their stay.
“My handle is E5. Alex, you’re B1. Cal, you’re B2. Nash and I will demonstrate how we use them.”
Nash speaks into the radio, a dragonfly zipping past. “T1 to E5.”
“This is E5.”
“Test over.”
“Copy.”
The group has a healthy discussion about how the radios work, reaching all parts of the property. I’m in the middle of explaining the barn’s custom ventilation system when I spot Leonardo’s unmistakable silhouette moving across the yard with that deceptively casual gait that usually means trouble. My stomach drops as I watch his dark llama eyes sweep over our little group.
I bottle fed Leonardo when his mom rejected him, so he’s formed an unusual attachment to me. Zane lets him wander Echo Ridge with the other llamas and our cattle, but at some point each day, he finds me to say hello.
Nash ignores Leonardo, as it’s best when I’m around, but the animal immediately locks onto Alex with laser focus. She’s standing a little closer than necessary, and I can practically see the gears turning in Leonardo’s brain. When her hand brushesmy arm as she leans in to ask about the acoustics, I know I’m doomed.
Three hundred pounds of jealous llama picking up speed toward us is not exactly the professional image I’m going for.
“Leo, no.” I hold my hand up with the command, and thankfully, Leonardo stops mid-step. He saunters over casually, as if he wasn’t just about to ram into someone, and wedges himself between me and Alex, chesting her out of the way.
Alex doesn’t even stumble. She just moves over like it’s normal. “Well, hello, Leo.” He shoves his nose against my chest, wanting a head scratch, so I oblige. “Everyone, this is Leo. He’s one of our llamas.”
Cage chuckles. “He seems very attached to you, Caspian.”
Taryn snorts. “Attached? This thing’s in love.” She steps forward and scratches Leo’s chin, and he curls into her touch.
Nash stands, open-mouthed. “He doesn’t let anyone but Cas touch him without permission.”
“Then you haven’t made the right effort, Rivers. I have several on my farm back home, and they’re super affectionate.” She nuzzles his soft fur. “Just like cats.”
“Well, my barn cats aren’t all that friendly, Taryn, so that checks.”
We all laugh, the afternoon heat setting in over the property. That’s why I don’t see Alex reaching out to pet Leo. Before I can stop her, she rubs his soft neck, and when he realizes it’s not Taryn, Leonardo yanks the sunhat from Alex’s head and prances away with it like he’s won a prize.
She stands there stunned while Nash and Taryn laugh. Cage grabs his phone and snaps a picture while Alex turns to me.
“Is he going to bring it back?” Her words are business-like, as if she’s addressing a label employee who missed a deadline.
Cal runs after Leo, but when the llama hears Cal, he runs off, stopping just far enough away to make it not worth the poor guy’s effort.
I put my hands on my hips and speak low and firm. “Come here, Leo.” He huffs but doesn’t move, so, I mean mug him. He doesn’t like it when I’m mad, so he trots back and places the hat at my feet before sulking away.
“I’ll get it cleaned up for you.”
Alex doesn’t answer. Instead, she grabs the hat and marches over to where Leo stands. I can’t tell what she’s saying, but she points at the hat and at him before reaching out to give it to him. He takes it from her outstretched hand and plops onto the ground with the hat still in his mouth.
As she walks away, Alex says, “Nice to meet you, Leo.”