Joycee’s Reviews > Pucker Up, Cowboy > Status Update

Real love? That’s fuel for your fire.

“You calling Phoebe a distraction?”

“F#ck no. She falls into the category of something special. When we met, it was like everything snapped into place. She makes me want to be better. I train harder, eat better, sleep right. Because I have something bigger than hockey to play for. When you know, you know.”

“Before you came along, I was such a mess. I still am,”

“Hey, you can still be a mess. You can fall flat on your face. The only difference now is that I’m right here to catch you. I’m not here to belittle you or make you feel bad about the things you do. You had plenty of other people in your life for that.”

“Uh-huh. I know the rule. Wear a cowboy’s hat, get a kiss. … So, pucker up, cowboy.”

(Aha. Title source.)

prized rodeo belt buckle—and yes, the size of it matters—

For now … I’ll live my life to the fullest as much as I can…because he* can’t. 

*Mike: departed best friend & brother-in-law

If he’s the apple tree and I’m the apple, then I must have fallen and rolled way down the hill right into a ditch because success at anything has eluded me.