Page 23 of Let Her Buck

And I’m still here.

Still the girl trying to live up to a legacy.

Still trying to find her own voice.

Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back. I can’t fall apart now. I press a hand to my chest and take another shaky breath.

Maybe it’s better this way.

Maybe it’s better to walk away now, before I fall harder.

Chapter Eight

West

I jump off the bull before the eight seconds even tick by. It doesn’t matter that I could’ve had the best ride of the day. I’m already moving, already scanning the crowd.

But she’s gone.

Laney’s not at the fence where she stood before I climbed into the chute. She’s not near the stage or by the food trucks. Not by the hay bales where the kids watch the clowns tumble around in the dirt.

Something’s wrong.

I feel it.

I shove past bodies, ignoring the confused stares, the mutters of “What the hell’s he doin’?” All I care about is finding her. My chest tightens with every second that passes and I don’t see her.

Then I spot her friend. Arms crossed. Lips pursed. Looking pissed as all hell.

“Hey!” I call out, stomping through a clump of tourists until I reach her.

She turns around sharply, glaring angrily like she’d rather claw my eyes out. I pause, shocked at her reaction, but only for a second. “Aren’t you Laney’s friend?”

“I’m Sadie. Who are you?” she asks icily, folding her arms over her chest.

“Where is she?” I demand impatiently.

“Who?”

“Laney. Where is she, damn it.”

“I don’t know.” She says it fast. Too fast.

“Bullshit.” I step in closer. “She ran off during my ride. Something happened. What was it?”

She gives a sharp laugh that’s all thorns. “What happened? You happened. You paraded her around like she meant something. You kissed her in front of half the damn county and then strutted off like it was just another day at the rodeo.”

“I didn’t strut off—”

“And now what? You get bored and ditch her? She’s not some groupie, you know.”

“I know that!” I bark, more furious at myself than anything else. “Jesus, Sadie. I’m not trying to hurt her.”

“Then what are you doing? ’Cause everyone’s talking. Saying she’s a buckle bunny now. That she’s your new notch.” Her voice wavers. “Laney doesn’t deserve that.”

I clench my fists. The rage building in my chest is wildfire. I can’t breathe around it.

“Sadie,” I say, jaw tight, “I don’t care about what people think. I care abouther. Now where is she?”

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