Page 100 of Dirty Cowboy

Thirty seconds left.

Icando this. Iwilldo this.

A sharp jolt shoots through my ankle, pain radiating up my leg, but I push past it. My body locks into the rhythm, my grip unrelenting. The cheers swell around me.

Then, in the sea of faces, one stops me cold.

A ghostly figure stands near the back of the bar, half-hidden in shadow. His hollow eyes lock onto mine.

My breath falters. The overhead lights flicker and the sound warps, muffled and distorted.

"Emma, watch out!" Eric’s voice pierces through the haze.

A metallic screech rips through the air and the lightscut out.The mechanical beast bucks one last time and I lose my grip.

The world tilts.

And then—impact.

Pain explodes through my body as I slam onto the mat. The leather strap slips from my fingers, along with my record. Air wheezes out of my lungs as my body lays sprawled across the floor. Stunned silence follows.

And just like that, the lights flicker back on.

I blink up at the spinning ceiling, chest heaving, and disappointment slamming into me harder than the fall. My title isgone.

Sharp pain shoots through my ankle as I try to stand. My stomach twists as I catch sight ofher.

Caroline, all smug and gloating. I grit my teeth, swallowing down the bitter taste of humiliation as I limp toward the exit.

"Aw, too bad, Emma," Caroline purrs, flicking her braid over her shoulder. "Guess city girls justdon’tbelong in Lords Valley."

I freeze, rage crawling up my spine.

“Shut up, you twat,” I bite out. “The power went out. I’m getting another turn.”

I take a step forward, wincing as my weight shifts onto my bad ankle.

"Emma!" Eric’s voice is thick with concern as he pushes through the crowd.

But before I can turn to him, Caroline steps closer. Her lips curve into a sickly sweet smile. "I’ve got your title…" Her gaze flicks to Eric. "And soon, I’ll havehimtoo."

My stomach churns. Something inside me snaps, the bile rising before I can stop it.

And in one glorious, unfiltered moment, I vomit all over her designer cowboy boots.

The roomgasps.

Caroline lets out ahorrifiedshriek, stumbling back as my beer splatters across her pristine leather. "You bitch!" she screeches, eyes wild with fury. "You did thaton purpose!"

I wipe my mouth, my knees wobbling beneath me. "Not everything’s aboutyou,Caroline."

The crowd erupts in laughter. She spins on her heel andrunsfor the bathroom, gagging.

"Emma!" Annabelle grabs my arm as I sway. "You’re falling over."

"Sorry," I mumble, blinking hard. "Still dizzy."

Warm hands catch me before I hit the floor.

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