Page 105 of Never Left You

“Oh, of course, I’ll walk with you. Families, trainers, agents…all the important people watch from the ground, don’t know why you insist on higher up.” Zeke placed his hand on my shoulder.

I shrugged and gave him a smile. “Better view.”

He returned my smile, nodding in agreement. It was true, sitting higher let me see the entire arena, not just the chutes.

“Listen, we all go out after events. We’d love to have you and Cash join us? I can try to convince him to get back on the board.”

“Oh, maybe. I’ll ask Cash—if I see him before the event starts.”

Zeke laughed. “Even then, drag his ass out.”

“Ok, okay. I’ll have to find you after.”

“Please do.”

He began to talk about his family, catching me up on his wife and kids. I was shocked to learn he had four kids now, and that his wife was happy being a stay-at-home mom. They would come to events closer to home, but mainly it was just him on the road. If Cash ever got back into this world, I didn’t want him to do this alone. I wouldn’t want to only attend certain events. I’d want to come to all of them.

“You still at the ranch?” Zeke asked, and I rolled my eyes slightly.As if I’d be somewhere else.

“Yup…my parents are retiring soon actually. We’re splitting it between the three of us—”

“Abs, there you are!” Cash came jogging up to us. “Oh hey, Zeke.” He came to a stop in front of us and reached forward lightly to touch my hand. “You found her for me, she wasn’t at the stands.”

“She was settled higher up like always.”

“Taking it all in.” I took a single step towards Cash. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in an arena like this. The one at home is nothing compared to this.”

“You coming to Days of 47 this year? You remember that arena—right Abi?” Zeke asked, referencing the biggest rodeo the state of Utah put on. If I remembered correctly, Kyla called it a TARDIS…bigger on the inside.

I looked over to Cash, who was wearing the most perfect smile as he lightly shook his head. “By that time, I’m hoping Quinn doesn’t need her trainer booking her events.”

Zeke let out a laugh. “Girl needs an agent if she can’t handle her own bookings. I told Abi we all go out after, and I’ve been tasked to convince you to compete again.”

Cash pulled me close to him, his hand finding the small of my back as he looked down at me.

I smiled. “What? We’d both love to see you compete.”

He shook his head. “Nah, I’m retired.”

“Too bad, man…too bad.” Zeke shrugged his shoulders he turned back to me. “I tried Abi.”

“Not hard enough.” I elbowed Cash gently in his side.

Zeke laughed, shaking his head as his smile grew. “Find me after, okay? Come out with us and let loose a little.”

“Let loose. Ha, sure.” Cash agreed, giving him a pat on the shoulder as he walked past. “Let me guess,” he whispered as soon as Zeke was out of ear shot. “He told you I was by the trailers, so you had to come find me?”

“He did say you were there, but that's not why I wanted to find you.” I faced him, wrapping my arms around his middle. “Thank you for letting me come. I’d forgotten how much I loved the rodeo arena.”

“You’re welcome.” He titled his chin up, his eyes still firm on mine. “I was near the trailers though.”

Rolling my eyes, I moved, using my fingers to pinch his sides, feeling nothing but firm muscle. “I bet you were.”

“Not for the bunnies. That’s just where Quinn was.”

“Uh huh…sure…” I stepped back. “Let’s go get a drink before it starts.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

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