Page 121 of Falling Stars

“Come on!” I shout. “Let’s go, Walkers!”

Beau’s the cutter, and he rides his horse into the herd, moving like he was born to do this. Seconds later, he has the three calves trotting to the other side of the white line, and Rhett and Jace maneuver them into the pen for the winning time.

“Yeah!” Paige screams. We jump and clap.

“Let’s track down Maverick. Leo’s probably due for a diaper change.” I spot him across the arena chatting with Jace.

“I have to pee first.” Paige points to the bathroom.

Rory nods. “I’ll go with you.”

“I’ll wait for y’all here. I need to check my messages.” Clients call me all the time to book appointments, and I’m always paranoid if I don’t do it quickly, they’ll go to Darling Divas.

I’m typing in my password when someone walks up to me.

“Hey, Baylee. Do you have a second?” Nicole smiles hesitantly.

Damn. First Kira, now Nicole. “What’s up?” I return my attention to my phone.

She fidgets with her pearl necklace. “I just wanted to apologize for my mom. I heard what she said to you the other day, and I feel bad.”

Frowning, I look up at her. “Really?”

“Yes. Look, I know you think I’m a mean girl, and yes, I definitely had my moments in high school, but I’m trying to turn a new leaf.”

My mother always tells me, when someone asks for forgiveness, try to forgive. It doesn’t mean I have to forget, but forgiveness will help me heal too. Reluctantly, I nod. “Thank you. I appreciate the apology.”

Nicole grabs a strand of her long, silky hair. “I figure you must be going through a lot right now, what with Maverick heading back to New York tomorrow.”

I frown. “How do you know that?” I mean, it’s not a secret exactly, but I don’t understand why she’s all up in my boyfriend’s business.

“He told me last week when we were chatting on the football field.” She grabs my arm like we’re old friends. “You should see him with the kids. He’s a natural coach.”

It chaps my hide that she’s seen him coach and I haven’t. “He’s always been a great leader on the field,” I mutter, my stomach starting to hurt.

Her blue eyes grow sympathetic. “I’m sure you’re really worried after everything that happened. I hope he’s safe this year. I can’t imagine how scary that must’ve been, him being paralyzed for three days! Goodness.”

My breath shallows. Maverick swore us all to secrecy about the extent of his injuries when he first got back. “Did you read that somewhere?” I’m not sure which is worse, his medical history getting leaked to the press or him confiding in his ex-hookup. I suppose I should hope it’s the latter, but I can’t help but hope she read it somewhere.

“No, silly.” She chuckles. “Maverick shared the whole story last week.”

“With you?”

She squeezes my arm. “Don’t be jealous. I’m just an old friend who wants to lend an ear. You know how it is.”

I grit my teeth. “Yes, Nicole. I know how it is.”

So much for setting firm boundaries with other women.

43

BAYLEE

As I sitin the stands and stew over that conversation with Nicole, the sky darkens. Leo cries out from his car seat. I pick him up and try to feed him, but he’s not interested. I turn to Paige. “I think Leo’s had enough of the rodeo. I’m going to take him home.”

I drove by myself since Maverick came early to help his brothers. I see them down by the arena celebrating another win. The McAllisters are in second place right now. With one competition left, I think the Walkers have it in the bag.

“Are you going to be okay?” Paige asks.

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