In less than thirty minutes, I’d mount Satan’s Little Helper. He was a bad-tempered son of a bitch known for causing trouble and using his horns as weapons. Just my luck to draw him on my first ride back, but I was determined to stay on all eight seconds without getting hurt.
I stood and twisted my hips. The mood in the changing rooms was light and buzzed with anticipation. The other riders on the tour bantered about booze and women. Last night, PBR had thrown a party, and the buckle bunnies were out in full force all looking for a hookup and more.
A twenty-something brunette had pushed Tyler onto an ottoman. She straddled him like he was a bull and flashed her tits while gyrating back and forth. There was a time when I would have gladly taken part in the debauchery, but that was before Montana.
During the course of the evening, some groupies had slipped their numbers into my back pocket. Maybe I’d give one of them a call. Arrange to meet at my motel room after the show. A faceless fuck might help me move on.
Who was I kidding? I wanted my cute and crazy agoraphobic country singer more than I wanted anything in my life. Perhaps even more than the gold buckle in Vegas, and that was saying something.
Thoughts of her filled my every waking moment, which meant my head wasn’t one hundred percent in the game. Over the past few weeks, I’d fallen more times than I cared to think about. I was beaten and bruised. My bones creaked, and my body ached.
My mom and aunt were on my case about taking more time off. That my dad wouldn’t have wanted me to compete so soon after a concussion. Perhaps. But I’d come this far, and I wouldn’t go back now.
Stubborn ran through my veins, and I wouldn’t give up till I got what I wanted.
Tricia and Jonah had come down from Shady Peaks along with my mom and two of my sisters. Mason had made the trip, too. I hadn’t asked any of them where Montana was because I didn’t want them to know how much I was hurting or pining after her.
I’d hoped she’d come. Part of me believed she would, but she hadn’t, and I hated how much that disappointed me.
The vacant way she looked at me the night she’d told me to go back to the rodeo spoke volumes. Not that I blamed her for not wanting me around. I’d pushed her too hard too fast. I would do anything to protect her, even if that meant staying away.
The noise of the full-capacity crowd rumbled through the hallways and into the locker room. Now wasn’t the time to wallow. Now was the time to get my head in the game and win.
Mason came into the changing room, concern filling his eyes. “What are you trying to prove, Dyl?”
I took several deep breaths and tightened the straps of my spurs. “Not trying to prove anything, Doc.”
His brow creased. “I’m here as your friend, not your doctor.”
I stood and stuck my riding gloves and the thong I used to tie them in place into my back pocket. “I don’t need another lecture,” I warned.
“No lecture, just concern.”
“Save your concern for someone who needs it,” I advised.
“She came to see me, y’know.”
I frowned. “Who?”
“We’re going to play that game, huh? Sexy, blond singer.”
I cast him a dark look and crossed my arms. “What did she want?”
“You know I can’t tell you that.”
Fear punched a hole in my gut. “She’s not drinking again, is she?”
“No.”
“If you’re not going to tell me why she came to see you, why’d you bring it up?”
“She was asking about you. She looked good. Wouldn’t mind tapping that ass for myself.”
I hefted my brows and filled my nostrils. “You touch her and I’ll fucking kill you.”
He held his hands up and grinned. “Chill.”
“Not funny,” I said through clenched teeth.
Tyler popped his head around the changing room door. “You ready, Dyl?”
I took one more deep breath. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Mason slapped my back. “Be careful out there.”
“Always am.”
I followed Tyler down the corridor and up to the platform behind the gated, steel chutes where Satan’s Little Helper waited, snorting and bristling. I climbed up the slats and set my foot on his back to let him know I was there so he wouldn’t get startled when I got on his back.
Taking my time, I climbed over him and placed my feet on either side of the chute. After that, I carefully lowered myself onto his back. He didn’t seem too pissed off by my presence.
Tyler helped me loop and hook my bull rope, and when it was all tied off, I climbed out of the chute and stretched. Nervous energy filled me, but I wouldn’t let it take over. The best thing I could do for myself was to stay relaxed.
“You’re up next, Willows,” the chute boss shouted.
Once again, I climbed up, taking my time, taking it nice and slow. I clutched the rope bound behind the bull’s front legs.
I tucked my chin down and nodded to the gate puller, letting him know I was ready. A second later, the gate banged open.
Satan’s Little Helper exploded out of the chute.
Six seconds after that, the world went dark.
Chapter Eight
Montana
The arena grew as quiet as a graveyard at dusk.
A cold fist gripped my heart, and my fingers flew
