Page 13 of Roping the Rodeo Queen
"Mm-hm."Buck's knowing hum grates on my nerves."Well, while you're avoiding the ladies, you might want to know the PRCA brass will be watching this weekend.Word is they're looking for fresh faces for their promotional materials next season."
That gets my attention."Promotional materials?"
"Posters, commercials, maybe even some of those fancy social media campaigns the kids are all about these days."Buck rocks back on his heels, seeming entirely too pleased with himself."Jo Callahan had a good idea, son.Her plan must've rubbed off on you.People are talking about Clay McKendrick these days."
I busy myself with checking Thunder's legs, trying not to let Buck see how his words have affected me.Promotional materials for the PRCA would mean serious money---the kind that could keep the ranch secure for years, not just months."That's, uh...good to know, Buck.I'll be sure to bring my A-game."
"You'll need more than that, kid."He lowers his voice to a near whisper."They're looking for the complete package.Someone with skill, sure, but also someone with star quality.Someone the fans connect with."
I straighten up, fixing him with a hard stare."What exactly are you trying to say?"
He holds my gaze, unflinching."I'm suggesting that whatever happened between you and Jo Callahan caught people's attention in a way that your riding alone never did.Chemistry like that doesn't come along every day."
"There is no chemistry," I snap, then immediately regret my tone when Buck's eyebrows shoot up.
"Whoa there, son.Guess I hit a nerve, hey?"He holds up his hands in surrender, but the knowing gleam in his eyes is unmistakable."All I'm saying is opportunity doesn't knock twice.Sometimes you gotta open the door even if you're not sure what's on the other side."
I turn back to Thunder, running my hand along his neck to calm myself as much as him."Sorry.It's been a long drive."
"Always is."Buck checks his watch and sighs."Gotta run.I have a meeting with the event coordinator in ten.But listen, there's a little get-together at The Rusty Spur tonight.Sponsors, competitors, the whole rodeo family.Might be worth showing your face."
"Uh-huh.I'll think about it."
Buck gazes at something past my shoulder, then winks at me."Have fun, kid."
Then he saunters away.
And I whirl around to see...Jolene Callahan.I probably look like a cartoon character with my eyes almost popping out of my head and my mouth hanging open far enough to let a squirrel crawl in there.I'd figured Jo might turn up at the Parker County rodeo event.But somehow, I still wasn't prepared for seeing her again.
Jo sashays up to me."Hello, Clay, how've you been?"
"Uh, good.How about you?"What a dumbass conversation we're having."Will you be competing in the barrel racing event?"
"You bet I will," she declares, adjusting her hat so it shields her eyes from the Texas sun."Been on a winning streak lately.Three firsts in the last month."
I nod, trying to act like I didn't already know that.Like I haven't been tracking her results in every rodeo publication I can get my hands on.
"Congrats."I avoid glancing at her, instead fussing with Thunder's lead rope in my hands."I'm happy for you, Jo."
She ambles toward me, and the familiar scent of her wafts in the air, sensual and sweet."Clay, about that night in Durango---"
"Water under the bridge," I cut her off, not wanting to rehash how she tossed me out of her truck with cab fare like I was some cheap hookup."We both got what we needed."
She bites her lip, and something almost like hurt flickers over her features before her trademark mask slides back into place."Right.Of course."She adjusts her hat again, a nervous tell I remember."I just wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any awkwardness between us."
"Nope, it's all good."You big fat liar, Clay.I can practically feel devil horns sprouting on my head."We're both professionals, Jo.It's all good."
"Glad to hear it."She nods curtly, but her eyes search my face."Thing is, I heard the PRCA bigwigs are scouting this weekend.Wouldn't want any personal distractions to get in the way for either of us."
The way she says 'distractions' stings more than it probably should.Like what happened between us was nothing more than a momentary lapse in judgment.
"Nice to see you again, Jo," I blurt out while I lead Thunder toward the stables."I'm here to ride, same as always."
I'm about to turn away when she catches up to me, walking alongside while we shuffle into the stable."Hold up, Clay, please.I need to talk to you about something."
With a heavy sigh, I halt Thunder and rotate halfway toward Jo."What is it?"
"I'm so sorry, Clay.I should never have kicked you to the curb that way back in Durango."
