The barn was almost stifling in his winter coat, but he didn't want to bother having to put it on again. He was only supposed to be in and out for a quick check up on the cattle, but his mind was wandering, and he welcomed the distraction of brushing his prize steer. His eyes followed the strokes, the thin paths made in the lines of fur, with the monotonous task.

It was a holiday, but that didn't mean much to Neil. It wasn't like animals took a break and didn't need feeding just because everyone got it in their heads they needed some social time. Neil didn't need that. It never bothered him. Being alone.

"What else was I supposed to do?"

Could start by not cheating on me, he answered her question in his head, temple throbbing in anger again at the mere memory of it. The steer stomped his hooves in place, making it clear he was uncomfortable with how rough Neil started brushing. Neil backed off and gave him a sound pat in apology.

He knew it wasn't a good idea the minute he started dating the local rancher. They had a lot in common, she was kind but quiet like he was, and they most definitely had completely different ideas of romance. He couldn't say it out loud lest he sound like a stony moron, but he could not do romance. He wasn't sentimental. Didn't understand the logic of the picky rituals and anniversaries of a relationship. Absolutely loathed any of the above in public. Heaven forbid. But that didn't mean he couldn't love at all.

It was just after Harmony Day when he had to say goodbye to Rio. His girlfriend wanted him to drop everything again and go cavorting about like an idiot, but he straight up didn't have time for that. There was always a handful of animal festivals coming up, and if he couldn't prove himself as a worthy adversary in the competitions, his business would plummet. His herds required constant attention and care, and all Rio ever wanted to do was order him around. Tell him he was wrong. Because she was usually right, but…

Neil tossed the brush down on the work table, and it bounced from the impact and landed against a tin of bolts, creating a noisy clang. A few of the herd mooed back in complaint, but Neil ignored them and removed his leather work gloves finger by finger. He slapped them down together and reached for the broken bit he never fixed.

It felt like Rio didn't even like him. She always had that glum look on her face. And if she wasn't moping, she was talking over him and forcing plans down his throat. Not once did she ever ask where he wanted to go. Maybe dates wouldn't be so bad if he got to pick the place every now and again… but she was a control freak. He was better off without a bossy girl like her.

"You know that's not true."

He held the tacks between his teeth, pulling the strap taught and holding it flat against the table. He wound the new loop through the bit. He didn't even have to look as he blindly grabbed the hammer on his left and put the tack in place, giving it one good hit. He flipped it over and did it again. He lifted the repaired strap and gave it a tug, deeming that the horse wasn't going to unravel it anytime soon.

Neil was glad he couldn't go out on Harmony Day. His horse needed new shoes, and that was going to be a long process cleaning out each hoof. She was a finicky mare, and he would have to put up a fight, and he'd be too tired for shenanigans. He didn't feel like getting dressed up and going out. Rio wouldn't understand.

But that showed him her true colors. Neil always told her he didn't like him. And he didn't like Neil; that was clear as day. He was always telling Rio to drop him. She was an even bigger idiot than he thought if she was totally ignorant to his schmoozing. That guy liked Rio, no matter how much she insisted 'they were just friends.' Neil knew better.

She was immature. She did it on purpose. She was pissed Neil wouldn't play along, so she went out with him instead. Rio knew full well it would set him off. She was actively trying to pick a fight, so Neil gave it to her.

It was only a matter of time. Rio didn't pick her friends wisely, and she was even worse about picking her battles. Neil told it to her straight. Her 'just friend' was into her, and she could go be with him for all he cared. He was sick of her games, and if she wanted to juggle boyfriends, she could do it with someone else.

"You're crazy!"

The tack popped off, and the strap flopped back open. Neil scowled at the harness of the bit, knowing from the start he'd have to buy a new one. But it was worth a shot trying to fix it first. Can't fix everything though.

He let it drop from his hands, and he leaned against the work table. He cleared up some of the things that were misplaced, knowing the mess had an order to him and only him. Neil picked at a splinter chipped up from the wood until it was loose enough to flick away. He ran his hand over the spot, thinking to himself it needed a good varnish ten years too late.

He really tried. He was understanding, gave her space. He respected her, and let her have her way nine times out of ten. But there was only so much Neil could do. He was only one person, and that person wasn't the guy up to par with Rio's impossible standards. So she could happily screw off.

His hand found the loose tack, and he picked it up. Examining it, he spun it around between his rough thumb and forefinger. The round, silver head reminded him of a day back in fall. When he paid more than they were worth for a set of tiny studs that looked similar. Back when he was worried about impressing her.

Those little earrings suited her he thought, so he finally bought them. Then he found out when he gave them to her that her ears weren't even pierced. She wanted to keep them though. So, at her request, he pierced her ears himself. She pinched her eyes shut, trusting him but still scared of the needle, fingers dug into the arm of the couch. He told her it felt like he was tagging a cow, and she got so mad. But she was calm after that. He had to hide his smile and stop his hands from shaking as he held in the laughter.

Too bad. That was over and done with now. Old news. Something else to forget. His voice came out low as he glared at the tack. "That's too bad…"

Those memories felt sour now. Just made him mad. That she was so wrong or that he let her be wrong for so long – he wasn't sure. But Rio would think about it. She'd look back one day and see what she did and regret it. She might even want him to take her back, but Neil would sooner bite that bit than get wrangled under her thumb again.

Neil dropped the tack in the tin with the bolts. He walked along the wall towards the door and took the handle in both hands, giving it a firm yank to get it rolling along the rusty track. It creaked in protest all the way as he left the barn and closed the door after him. He shoved his hands in his pockets, figuring he'd take a walk to clear the dusty thoughts from his head.