Page 85 of The Pieces We've Lost

“I would rather shove a pineapple filled with glass shards up my ass than do anything with you.” I batted my eyelashes at him as I said it and then immediately curled my lip as I rolled my eyes and looked away.

“Easy there, Firecracker.” Mikey pulled me back as Dash muttered, “Fucking bitch.”

“You’re in my state right now, Kingsley. Stay away from my girl and don’t speak about her like that again or you’ll be lucky to make it to the NFR!” Colter was close to grabbing his collar before Reid got in the way and pulled him away.

“Be smart about this, man. They’re just trying to get in your head. Don’t do anything you’ll regret,” he warned.

“Good luck out there, boys. You’re going to need it.” Dash sneered, satisfied with the response he got from Colter, and then he and Wayne were gone.

“Don’t worry about them.” I walked over to Colter, putting my hand on his shoulder, trying to make him focus on me and not the assholes who were currently driving away. “This is your state, your rodeo. You guys will be fine.”

Colter and Reid absolutely were fine as they ran their practice runs. If you didn’t know Colter hadn’t been competing for the last month, you wouldn’t have been able to tell. His movements were still smooth, and they were clocking impressive times for being out of their groove.

That was the importance of having a strong bond and connection with your heeler, though. You could be away from each other for a month, or even longer, but the moment you roped together again, it was like you’d never been apart.

The day of competition came. This was one of the largest rodeos in Montana and showcased some of the best in the state as well as some out-of-state competitors. I wasn’t sure why Kingsley and Marlow were here, especially since they were from all the way in Oklahoma and there were rodeos closer to home that would get them decent money, but I had to believe it was to get into Colter’s head after they had lost to them in Houston.

The rodeo kicked off with an explosive energy, and the events seemed to pass by in a blur. Hayden roped with a random partner from out of state and they did well, clocking a five-point-five run. Jake was also competing in the steer wrestling and it took all of my will to not look away, but I watched the entire thing without having a flashback or feeling like I might pass out.

Finally, Dash and Wayne would compete, followed by Colter and Reid. Their rivalry was gaining popularity, especially after Houston and Colter’s injury. Both teams had fairly good positions in their world standings and itwas likely that the NFR average championship would be between them.

The tension in the air was palpable as the Oklahoma boys geared up to rope. Dash did his same stupid routine of looking out into the crowd and schmoozing the women, but he didn’t have quite the effect that he was hoping for here. When he didn’t get the attention he craved, he rolled his eyes and actually started to focus on the task at hand.

Their final time was four-point-eight seconds.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

colter

Sweat pooled on my forehead and back as I watched the teams before us. I was doing my best to control my breathing and not panic, but there was a lot of pressure riding on this performance. All eyes were on me as I came back from my injury. I couldn’t fail. There was no room for it at this point.

I must have been breathing hard because Reid leaned close to me and gave me a pep talk.

“Colter, listen to me. We’re going to be fine out there. This is exactly like every other rodeo we’ve been to. Don’t focus on Kingsley and Marlow. Don’t focus on the cameras. Focus on what you know how to do best.”

I nodded, gulping down a mouthful of air.

“I believe in you. The guys believe in you. Ellison believes in you.”

“Ellison believes in me. I can do this,” I said and breathed in and out. I looked up into the crowd, exactly where I knew she would be. She was such a calming presence for me.

“All right, folks. Our next team consists of a couple ofcowboys from your home state. They won big at the Houston Rodeo earlier this year and they’re back to show us all what Montana tough means. Let’s help them out here! Your cowboys from Silver Creek, Montana: Colter Carson and Reid Lawson!”

I took a deep breath before getting on the back of my horse and riding it into the arena. Reid gave me an encouraging nod as we walked to the chute.

The roar of the crowd was deafening, all of them cheering for my return from my recovery.

You’ve got this. Do it for them, for Ellison, for yourself.I pounded the statement into my brain over and over, getting myself into the mindset that whatever happened today, I would continue to fight as hard as I could for our spot at the NFR.

Reid entered his side of the box, and I followed behind him, keeping my shoulder warm by swinging the rope over my head a few times. My heartbeat pounded in my ears and never ceased, not when I nodded my head for the steer to be released from the chute and not when my horse took off after it.

The voices of every person who doubted me rang in my ears, threatening to cause me to lose my focus. They all repeated the same things.

You’re a failure.

You’ll never measure up.

You’ve missed too much to be successful this year.

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