CH.10: Lies forthcoming

Maya sat in the Starbucks as she sat a bit in the back. She had her labtop out as she was working on an essay or more like a creative writing project. Oh sure she was a painter through and through, but, there was this challenge to coming up with her own writing material…and…it wasn't like she was lacking for detail or imagery in creating landscape and character.

"Is this seat taken?" Maya smiles as she looks up and notices the slight bearded face of a familiar, one who much like her had dealt with the world with a certain perspective; yep, and yet somehow he managed to maintain a boyish charm.

"That depends…do you have an offering?" Maya enjoys how his face stretches a bit as he smiles in resignation before he holds out a drink to her.

"Your drink, just as you requested Princess Maya of Hart," he does a slight bow which seems too silly for him, but, she cracks a smile and takes her drink before offering the chair across from her.

"I will never grow tired of hearing that. So, Shawn, glad you could make it. I'm sorry I had to pull you away on your weekend, but, I'm kind of in crisis mode here." Maya takes a sip of her drink letting the caffeine hit her.

"Maya, I will always have time for you. Yes…life has certainly kept me busy of late, but, when my girl calls for help I come running. So what is up?" Shawn was so easy to talk to and he didn't treat her like a little girl which she appreciated.

"It is boy, well, guy trouble." She can see him shirk a bit in his seat and she reaches over patting his hand.

"Shouldn't you…I don't know, be talking to your mom about this stuff? I mean yeah, I can get the whole guy thing, but, you won't be going off on me about how guys are trash and such and how we should be put into our place and well girl talk stuff?"

"Oh no, nothing like that, but give it time. Look, do you remember Lucas?" She can see his expression and knows he knows.

"I do, he was the one who broke Cory and Topanga's daughter heart. Well…I mean, that is what I get from Cory. I kind of get Lucas though wanting to…you two are dating aren't you?" Shawn leaned back in his seat and Maya thought he would tip over.

"Yeah, we kind of are. Look, you are the only one I can trust with this. I need to know if I should be worried-."

"I'm taking it he hasn't been upfront with you about his new life has he?" Shawn understood and Maya felt the tenseness loosen from her.

"Well…yes…and it bothers me. I hate being like this, no guy has ever made me this…insecure. The rodeo is filled with perils and falls and if anything were to happen to him-."

Shawn reaches out to hold her hand and she can see reassurance in his eyes. It is all that is keeping her grounded right now instead of flipping out. True this went against the code of dating, but, it wasn't like she had any other option. Zay was back in Texas and it was clear he wouldn't be coming back anytime soon. Farkle…how long had it been since they last talked? Maya felt like what had been a secure inner circle in school had broken apart…and it all happened that day on graduation.

"Relax, I'll have a man to man talk with him, not entirely sure how I will do something like that but trust me I will. I would say let him make his own mistakes, but, it is time I step up as a father, step father…well…parental figure I suppose and in some ways I've always seen you as a daughter."

Maya throws her arms over the table disregarding her drink as she holds him around the neck. She wished she had Shawn all those years without a father to look out for her. Her mother had done her fair share, but, she worked a lot and Maya lacked a strong male figure in her life. Cory did his part trying to inspire her in class to follow her dreams and such, but, Shawn appeared cut from the same cloth as her…having an absentee mother in his life and his father here and there.

"Ok kiddo, I get it, and I appreciate it…and I promise to try my best. I just want you to know this is not an immediate fix." Maya lets go of him as she takes her seat as she adjusts herself.

"What do you mean?" Maya felt like this was like being in Cory's class and learning something at face value.

Shawn rubs the back of his head and he takes a sip or two of his own drink before responding. "Lucas, he may not want my advice. In fact he may push me away. I can do what I can but in the end it is Lucas's call to make what goes down…and when the truth comes out, whatever it is. Sometimes in life you have to make mistakes…and hopefully you learn enough not to do them again or give it time before attempting it again. I know you care about him and if it gets too bad…I can talk to his parents-."

"No, if you do that then he will know I asked you to do this," Maya ran her hands through her hair as she didn't want to face them and then have to face Lucas.

"I'm pretty sure his parents are aware of his activity already, though, giving how long Lucas has been doing this rodeo thing they probably aren't too updated lest Zay has informed them. He has a show right…today?" She nods her head. "Alright…well…I'll time my talk after the show, suggest we grab a bite, maybe take a walk. Enjoy the show, and, shouldn't you be getting to class?"

Maya frets as she suddenly realizes how much time was spent talking to Shawn. She gathers her stuff and gives him another hug. "You are doing a fine job Shawn, I mean, dad." She hurried off doing her best to not worry about the show and how this talk would go.

Lucas was getting ready for the show. He was of course in pain. He took some pills to alleviate some of the pain, but, overall he had to will himself to ride. Even now with the crowds cheering and some of the finalists for the showdown, well, it drew on his nerves.

"So…it all comes down to this, more or less. I have to say…much as I hate your guts Friar, I wish you to make it to the finals. You know why? I want to humiliate you in front of all your loved ones. I want your dreams to be squashed and for you to give up on this…well…whatever this is to you. Not everyone is made out for this type of lifestyle, and hard lesson…for you…this will only end in tears."

Lucas shoots a glare at him but aside from that words are lost, no, words would be lost on him. Bullies like him said these things to get a rise…to get thoughts into someone's head and make them choke. Brian…well…come to think of it he didn't know much about him. They did not hang out in the same circle and honestly when it came to riding they both differed in style.

Lucas had maybe made an attempt in the beginning to be friends with him but after learning how he behaved, how he treated people he felt like being like that to fit in…wasn't his way. It was perhaps the only good thing he had done in the rodeo. He had kept his life busy so that meant little time to hang with friends and when he did he often kept from alcohol. A lot of people here were older than him, had learned the cycle or the way this life works and the rewards and pitfalls that come along.

Lucas did his best to soak it all in…gain what knowledge he didn't already have from Texas. Much as Brian got on his nerves…again…he made him think. If he moved forward from here it would mean facing off against Brian and some of the best riders out there. It would also mean putting a strain on his entire body. Thankfully there would be time after this…but…it begged to question if he did fail, what would he do?

Lucas got ready though and as a few riders went before him he got set. His mind erasing his conversation with Brian and focusing on the ride, the long ride ahead; it was all he could do to remain in the game. His eyes go out to the audience as he can see them…knowing that out there she would be there, the whole reason he breathed and who also cheered him on. True date night had not gone as planned but…he should have expected it. Question was…could their relationship last on both of them being fine?

Lucas climbed up onto the horse and swallowed a bit as he steadies himself. There are a few heartbeats reserved for him and his breathing comes out shallow, his tongue moistens his mouth some and he closes his eyes for a second…in his own headspace. When the time comes and the gate lurches out he feels the bronco push forth and he barely manages a handle as the world blurs in colors and the sound of cheering from the stands.

Lucas feels the rush as he normally does and his eyes go out to Maya who is cheering her loudest. However what is that he reads in her eyes? No, can't let that shake me; she is just probably excited like everyone else. Lucas could feel time slowing down and each movement from the bronco was an obstacle he needed to overcome, to rise above.

Lucas grits his teeth and set himself down and knows that the judges will be looking for certain things. He needed to be in the top three at least to advance to the finals. No doubt in the end it would be him against Brian…and…winner takes all he supposes.

Once he is out there it is all on…no turning back, no biding for more time. When the sound pushes through his private thoughts he attempts to dismount but his landing is a bit off and a pain shoots through his foot. He had sprained it, though; well…honestly it was hard to place how bad it was. The bronco was kicking about and he barely has time to move along the ground in a roll as he feels the kick almost connect with him.

Pulling up he waves his hat at the crowd but that maneuver along the ground also cost him and he thought he read worry set into Maya's beautiful features in the stand. The score is good and suffice to say even with his dismount he was in the running for highest score of the day. So even if someone or two placed ahead of him he still was in a good position to clean it all out come the finals.

Once he was away from the audience he grips his side and his head is foggy. He is leaning against one of the rails and he is sweating. Movement out of the corner of his eye trains an individual walking into view…but…it is not the person he expects.

"Nice show, though, could do without the lies. You hold yourself up like a man riding on a saddle that may seem firm…but just as easily can slip out from under you and everything comes crashing down. Katy, Maya's mother and myself are planning a little trip out into the country, Maya is coming as well. I feel you should too…give you time to come clean, spare my daughter the hurt and whatever happens then, well, you two can either go back to being friends or patch things up. I can speak from experience that not everyone, even those deeply in love are meant to be. So…will see you in a few days and you'd better be here."

Lucas finds his mouth moving but no words come out. Shawn pats his shoulder and walks off and Lucas finds what strength he can to get back to his trailer…like it or not now…the lying stopped here.

Authors note: Lies are something that one can't run away from…and in the upcoming chapter, when I get it up…a trip to the country will air those lies and the question remains…will Lucas and Maya survive it?