Then stop this bet while you have the chance to do so. Is beating Jimmy worth the risk of losing Lou forever? The little voice that was his conscience told him. Do you want to take the chance that Lou will find out about the little bet you made with Jimmy? Don't you realize how devastating a realization will do to Lou's already fragile confidence? She won't see it as you willing to do anything to win her back, she'll see herself as the Ace in the stack of cards you have against Jimmy. There is no way that she will ever forgive you or Jimmy for hurting her!
Stubbornly he pushed the voice aside. He didn't need anyone or anything to make him feel guiltier than he already did. He knew that there was a strong possibility of Lou finding out about the bet he and Jimmy had made regarding her, but he was willing to take that chance if it meant that he would have her back in his life. He wasn't about to sit idly by and watch as Jimmy stole her away from him. There was no way he was going to do that.
It didn't take long for Jimmy to fall into step beside him. Jimmy said nothing as they continued towards the barn, and Kid felt relieved. Obviously, Jimmy felt the same way he did. Neither of them wanted to risk the chance of Lou overhearing their conversation and being hurt by it. A soft smile played across his lips. There was one thing that he and Jimmy still agreed on. The moment they stepped into the barn, the forced silence ended.
"Do you really think that asking Lou to go on a ride with Lou, is going to make up for all the hurt that you caused her?" Jimmy said angrily.
"I am so sick and tired of you butting into mine and Lou's business! If it wasn't for all your 'helpful' suggestions, Lou and I probably wouldn't be in this mess in the first place." Kid retorted.
"Don't go blaming all your foolish behavior on me and the other boys! It's because of your own foolish pride and jealousy that got you into the mess with Lou, not anything any of us told you! All of us tried to tell you to leave Lou alone, to let her make choices for herself, but you wouldn't listen. Not only did you continually pester her about being careful, but you even moved all of her belongings out of the bunkhouse and into Rachel's place while Lou was out on a ride! No, you got your own self into trouble with Lou! Now, I'm telling you to just back off and leave her alone!"
"You're telling me to back off and leave Lou alone. Who in the hell do you think you are, Jimmy, to tell me to back off and leave Lou alone. You're not Lou's father, her brother or even her boyfriend! How dare you think that I am just going to back off and let you have Lou! I love Lou and there is nothing going to stop me from getting her back! Nothing!" Kid shouted.
"I'm not going to stand by and watch you hurt her again! If you really loved her, you would let her go! You would allow Lou to be happy with whomever she chooses to live her life with!" Jimmy told him.
"I suppose that you think that if I leave Lou alone, that she is going to choose you. Talk about wishful dreaming. What kind of life can you offer her Jimmy? One filled with fear and violence, that's what kind! At least Lou won't ever have to worry about taking a bullet meant for me!" Kid snarled spitefully, enjoying the painful expression that came over Jimmy's face. His words had hit home. Jimmy's reputation as a gunfighter had already endangered all of their lives, Lou's more than once. It was the last thing he remembered before Jimmy punched him.
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