Page 30 of Spurred On

He pulls off his helmet and looks to the screen, waiting for the score. When it flashes across the screen, the team goes wild, so I take it as a good sign and join in on cheering.

He easily hops over the gate and walks over to me. A small sheen of sweat causes his tousled brown hair to stick to his forehead. The smile he gives me makes my stomach swoop. “I’ve got to meet with Doug and talk to Coach real quick, but I will be back in a few.”

“Alright, I’ll be here watching. Here, don’t forget this.” I get on my tiptoes and plop the cowboy hat back on his head. Our eyes stay locked a second longer than they should, and the butterflies that rushthrough my system have me feeling a little bit hopeful for the first time in forever.

Chapter 18

Maverick

The adrenaline starts to fade as I make my way back to my dressing room. Doug didn’t even see the ride, but I am sure he will want to be a part of the conversation. If he hadn’t been with my dad the majority of his career, I would have kicked him to the curb. But he got passed down to me when I lost my dad and has stuck around.

The hallway is brightly lit, and I smile and nod at the other contestants as I pass by, wanting to get this over with and head back to the hotel. A hot shower and a long sleep sound great. Plus, the nightly movie marathon with Ava has become something I look forward to more than I want to admit. The movies are usually not my favorite, but hearing her laugh makes tolerating two hours of trash completely worth it.

I open the door to my dressing room, seeing that Doug has Gonzales’ ride streaming on the small TV. This is one of the better arenas. It’s nice having space to settle down in after the rush of riding. I can still keep up with the contenders but not have to be in the public eye.

“Good ride out there today, Maverick.”

“Yup.” I’m still a little peeved at how he talked about Ava earlier, right in front of her. I knew he wouldn’t be the biggest fan of her being there. But this is my ride, not his. If he wants more of a say, he can get his happy ass on the back of a pissed off bull and start making his own money.

“Don’t tell me you’re upset with me over the girl.” He looks as if my frustration is completely uncalled for. Calling her “the girl” brings another round of anger in me. He knows her fucking name. She didn’t do anything but show up tonight, and he’s out of his God damned mind if he thinks he can disrespect her, or myself for that matter.

“You don’t get to have a say in who I bring to these things, alright? If I want to bring a friend, I can. I think you are forgetting who pays who here. You manage where I am riding and who is paying to be on this vest.” I tap some of the badges littering my riding vest. “I do the rest.” The shock on his face could be read from outer space. I never mouth off to him, small little quips, but I usually ignore him and walk out when he gets on my last nerve, which feels like something I should be doing now.

Coach walks in, breaking up the awkward silence that has fallen over the room. “Gonzales had a good ride, but his bull wasn’t nearly as good as yours, and his scores show it.” He must catch on to the tension in the air. “Did I interrupt something here?”

Brushing past Doug, I say, “No, I was just leaving.” Screw that. I am going to find Ava and get out of here.

Stalking out of the dressing room and down the hall, I see Ava talking to no one other than Gonzales. Fucking leech. Of course she would catch his eye. She should catch his eye. I’ve been knocked in the head a few times, but even I know Ava is a knockout. Everything about her is too damn good for that little fucker standing in front of her.

She seems to be making pleasant conversation, but as I get closer, I can hear bits and pieces of their conversation.

“What? Is Ryder the only rider you are willing to ride on?”

The shock on her face at what he said is front and center. “I’m just not interested. But thank you for the offer.” She goes to stalk off, but he follows close on her tail.

“I didn’t think buckle bunnies played hard to get. Come on, let me buy you a drink.” He reaches for her arm, pulling her back to face him, and I lose it. Every ounce of control I had cracks.

“Excuse me?” She whips around at the buckle bunny insult. Between Doug and this douche, I’m seconds away from blowing a gasket.

Rushing to her side, I push her behind me with my arm. “Who the fuck do you think you are talking to my wife like that?” My voice comes out in a murderous thunder, loud enough for the whole arena to hear. Which is good. “If you want to fuck with Ava, you’re going to have to get through me.”

Ava grabs my arm. “It’s okay, Mav, really.”

My anger is still too hot and needs a place to be released. “It’s not fine.” Clasping Ava’s hand in mine, I keep her positioned behind me. ‘If you have something disrespectful to say aboutmy wife,say it to my face or get the fuck out of here.” I point to the door, which I would like to drag him out of and kick his ass.

Gonzales, being the pussy he is, puts his hand in the air. “I didn’t know she was your girl.”

“It doesn’t fucking matter. Maybe you wouldn’t have to beg a woman for a drink if you treated them with a little respect.” He tucks his metaphorical tail between his legs and heads back to his crew.

When I look up, I see quite a crowd gathering around us, and what I just did hits me. So much for keeping this whole marriage thing under wraps. Cameras flash in our direction, and the weight of it crushes me. It’s not me I’m worried about, it’s Ava. She’s already stressed outwith everything that has been going on, and I don’t want to ever add another thing for her to worry about.

“Shit, Ava, I’m sorry.” But she isn’t looking at me with anger; something else that looks a lot like wonder simmers behind her eyes. “Let’s get out of here before this becomes a cluster fuck.” Gripping her hand, I lead her out the back. I drove my own truck here, and we can head to the hotel in that. I will text Weston and Coach when I get there.

Ava’s silence unnerves me. I know we were supposed to keep this thing quiet. Partially for my reputation, a super short marriage and divorce are not helpful in keeping my image squeaky clean. People will speculate and talk, they always do. The other half of it was for her. For exactly what happened tonight. I don’t want anyone coming at her because she’s my wife. Or my wife by name.

When we finally get to the truck, I turn toward her and take her hands in mine. “Listen, I know we were supposed to keep this under wraps, but when I heard him talking to you like that, I snap—” My words are cut off by her lips crashing into mine. God, how I have wished for this. Savoring the taste of her on my lips, I ensnare my hands around her hips, pulling her close enough to feel the rapid beat of her heart against me.

She pulls back, her voice barely a whisper. “I’m not mad, Mav.”

---