By the next day, Olivia had fully accepted that she was on a girls' trip and needed to relax. She was determined to get Fitz out of her head and fully enjoy her visit to Houston. She dragged the girls shopping that morning and they all found outfits to wear to the rodeo. Abby and Quinn were shocked into silence at the change in 'the Olivia Pope wardrobe'. All of the outfits they watched her purchase were form-fitting, revealing, and a far cry from her normal classy professional. Abby was slightly jealous of how good Olivia looked in whatever she wore. On the other hand, Abby was just happy that she was smiling. Abby even managed to keep her mouth shut when she saw how much money Liv was spending. Nyla was comfortable enough to add all her things to Olivia's growing pile. Olivia made up for having them shopping for 5 hours by paying for everyone's purchase.

Quinn joked, "Seems like Rip isn't the only rich one. You just spent over $20k on all of us."

Liv shrugged, "I am a well-off woman who enjoys treating my friends."

"Well, I'm not going to argue with that." Quinn laughed. "Where to next?"

Olivia smiled at them, "Now we get ready for the rodeo." They had all been enjoying their time at Rip's bungalow. It was as if they were transformed back to being college girls getting ready for a night on the town. Fortunately, Nyla's spirits were beginning to improve. She was currently dressed in denim cutoffs, a tight crop top, and a fringe jacket with a pair of black Converse. Abby was wearing a fringe miniskirt with a matching vest top and some over-the-knee boots. Quinn was wearing a pair of tight shorts complete with matching black leather chaps, a leather cropped tee, and black cowboy boots. Olivia was the one who went above and beyond for a rodeo show. Olivia was wearing a tan two-piece leather ensemble. The top stopped slightly above her belly button. The leather pants, held together on the side by intricate corset-like straps, accentuated and amplified her butt and legs. She completed the look with a pair of white and tan cowboy boots and a matching cowboy hat. She had her hair styled in crimps that showcased how long she let her hair grow. Olivia blushed as the girls praised her outfit. They all took a few shots of tequila before leaving to head to the rodeo show. When they were there, all of the ladies were getting numerous compliments from men and women. Olivia's eyes were glued to Rip from the moment he entered the arena floor—a notion that didn't go unnoticed by her friends. Olivia's mind was so far from Fitz but in a great and healing way.

Olivia hadn't been to a rodeo show since her freshman year in college. She was completely entranced by everything she saw and began to start loudly chanting like the rest of the fans. Knowing that Olivia wasn't in the best overall state of mind, Rip ensured that the girls had a private skybox to watch the show. Olivia was unaware of the fact that she was cheering and jumping around like a lovesick groupie. When the show was over, she was the first to bolt out of the skybox and go on the search for Rip. Abby, Quinn, and Nyla struggled to keep up with her sprinting. When they rounded the corner of the main floor, they watched as she jumped into Rip's arms and he spun her around with a huge smile plastered on his face.

He put her down, never breaking eye contact, "That hat looks real good on you Bambi."

Olivia blushed slightly before suddenly punching him in the arm several times.

"Woman! What in the hell did I do?"

Olivia pouted, "You scared me half to death. I thought you were going to get flung off that bull and seriously hurt."

Rip pretended to be injured by her punches. "Only thing that's gonna hurt me is you. I been riding bulls since I was an ankle biter. So, I take it you enjoyed the show?"

Olivia had a wide smile. "We had a great time. Thanks for the skybox."

Rip enjoyed how much he was making her blush. He turned to look at the other women. "It was my pleasure. You ladies up for going to Bourbon Cowboy?" They all agreed and headed toward Rip's car.

Once they entered the club, Quinn saw a whole new side of Olivia. She watched her petite boss head straight for the mechanical bull and hop on without hesitation. Abby's eyebrows shot up, "Just how many shots did she have?"

The entire bar turned their attention to Olivia expertly riding the mechanical bull. Olivia's confidence was elevated even higher when the speed of the bull increased and she was able to stay on without holding on. Rip started to loudly yell "Get 'em cowgirl." His proclamation started a round of loud wolf whistles.

Olivia looked into the crowd and locked eyes with Quinn. She could tell that Quinn wanted to ride the bull but was nervous to do it in front of such a big crowd. Olivia gave Quinn a devilish smirk and beckoned her over with a hand gesture. Quinn stood there frozen, even after Nyla and Abby tried to nudge her toward Olivia. Olivia reversed her position on the bull and started chanting "Quinn! Quinn! Quinn!" The growing crowd kept the chanting going and Quinn gave in and jumped on the mechanical bull. The cheers from the alcohol laden crowd got louder and louder.

Abby stated the obvious, "Do they not realize that they are feeding into every man's fantasy right now? Two women riding a bull—one in reverse cowgirl I might add." She expected Nyla to answer but was surprised when she looked to her left and didn't see her.

Rip walked up and put her out of her misery. "She's with Diesel…at the bar. Hopefully they work it out." He and Abby looked over towards the bar to see a tense conversation taking place. He looked down at Abby, "You gone tell me who hurt her?"

Abby gnawed on her lip and eventually said, "It's not my story to tell. I will say that she needed this. Can I ask you a question?"

"Hit me Red."

"What's the history between you and Olivia?"

Rip threw his drink back. "Her 1st love was my best friend. Me and Mac came up together. Bambi introduced me to my wife Charity. The 4 of us were always together. When Mac died, we were all lost. Years later, I lost Charity. Bambi and I have seen each other at our worst. I'm gonna always be in her corner no matter what happens."

Abby took a chance, "Do you have feelings for Olivia?"

Rip shrugged, "I feel lots of things. We both feel like it's disrespectful to Mac and Charity's memory."

Abby sighed, "Look, I have eyes. I never knew Mac and Charity but I'd like to believe that they both would want you two to move on from them and find some happiness."

Abby and Rip were caught up in their conversation and didn't readily realize that Olivia and Quinn had vacated the mechanical bull. Abby, not so subtly, pulled Quinn toward another part of the bar. Olivia gently tugged on the bottom of Rip's shirt. "Penny for your thoughts?" He hesitated in responding, so Olivia dragged him onto the dance floor. The sensual r&b song prompted Olivia to slow grind against Rip. His eye contact was intense and unnerving. She could see so much in those eyes of his. Rip decided to get out of his head and simply be in the moment with Olivia. Rip gripped her hips and pressed their bodies closer together. Rip couldn't believe that he had her in arms like this. He could feel himself getting hard as her body slowly winded against his. He tried to pull away before she felt it, but he was too late. Olivia leaned back further into him and wrapped her right arm around his neck. She could feel his chiseled chest against her shoulder blades. She pulled his head down closer to her level and whispered in his ear, "Don't pull away."

Rip nuzzled his nose into her neck, "We can't do this Bambi."

"Why not?"

Rip sighed, "Because you aren't a piece of meat or a transaction to me. You mean too much to me."

Olivia stopped dancing on him, "I won't mean that much to you when you find out my secrets."

"None of your secrets will change my opinion of you. I promise."

Olivia turned around and looked into his eyes, "Rip, I'm not a good person."

Rip suddenly grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her out the back entrance and into his SUV. Olivia kept staring toward the back door of the club. As if reading her mind, he said "We're not leaving them. We just needed some privacy for this conversation. Talk to me. Don't shut me out Bambi."

Olivia bowed her head, "I don't think I can tell you. I can't take you hating me too."

Rip pressed his forehead against hers, "I could never hate you." He knew that if he pushed her anymore, she'd completely clam up. "Wait here, I'm going to round up the group." Olivia watched him go back into the club. She was lost in her thoughts until the door swung open and Rip was practically carrying Abby and Quinn. Apparently, they had even more drinks after the mechanical bull. Nyla and Diesel were behind them in what appeared to still be a very hostile conversation. Olivia knew that Nyla was either about to burst into tears or kill Diesel. Olivia was the only one who Nyla told about why she and Diesel broke up. Nyla was angry that Diesel didn't fight for more time off work after their stillbirth. Nyla didn't agree with him throwing himself back into work. Olivia tried to get Nyla to see things from his perspective because she was the poster child for using work to overshadow personal troubles. Nyla wasn't having it and eluded to Diesel's work only being the tip of the iceberg for their relationship problems.

The door opened and a giggly Quinn and drunk Abby dove into the backseat. Olivia was about to climb into the front seat when Rip told her that he was giving Diesel a ride as well. Olivia scooted over in the backseat so that Nyla could squeeze in next to her. Rip tried to keep the conversation light but Diesel and Nyla weren't having it. Diesel turned around in his seat, "You plan to finish the conversation Ny?"

Nyla crossed her arms and said, "Why would I do that? You've clearly decided that what I have to say is immaterial and you don't give a fuck about how I feel—"

Diesel interrupted her and screamed, "I lost him too Nyla! You weren't the only one who lost a son."

"You didn't even take time off work!"

"I'm a fucking Navy SEAL Nyla! I don't get to pick when my team spins up for a mission. I don't have the luxury of working a job that I can take random PTO from! I wanted to be there for you. I lost him too dammit!"

Nyla scoffed, "Even when you came home, you never came home."

Diesel was pissed, "No fucking way are you putting that on me. When I came back, you just disappeared. You shut me out Nyla. After a year straight of you shutting me out, I gave up."

"See!" Nyla pointed out, "You gave up."

"Fuck that Nyla. You never even asked me how I was processing everything! I chose his name. You don't think that losing him destroyed me too?"

Olivia interjected, in the hopes of calming down the situation, "Guys maybe this conversation should happen when everyone is sober. We've all had at least 3 drinks tonight."

Rip caught her eyes in the rearview mirror, "I agree with Bambi. Let's sleep it off and talk tomorrow." Quinn and Abby's drunk-addled minds were slowly catching up to the argument. Abby slurred her words, "Can we go to the ranch? I've never been on a ranch."

Rip wanted Diesel and Nyla to work it out because of how much they loved each other. The ranch would provide ample room for everyone and an environment that forces them to talk out all their problems. Rip asked, "Is everyone okay with that?" They all agreed and Rip started to drive in that direction. The car was filled with tense silence until they pulled up at Rip's ranch. Abby and Quinn had fallen asleep, so Rip and Diesel got them inside and into one of his guest rooms. Nyla went in behind them and set aspirin, water, and trashcans next to the bed. She said nothing to Diesel and went into a different room with the loud slam of a door. Diesel gave up and found an empty room to crash in.

Rip caught Olivia before she had the chance to bolt into a room and lock the door. Rip motioned towards the living room. "Let's chat Bambi."

Olivia could feel her stomach doing somersaults as she avoided eye contact. "Rip I don't think—"

"Bambi. If I let you retreat now, you'll never talk to me. So talk to me. What happened so bad that you needed to flee here?"