Page 18 of Roping the Rodeo Queen
Jo trounced Maddie Vale in her last round of barrel racing, and I whooped and shouted like an idiot to support my girl.The sounds echo across the arena, drawing amused looks from nearby spectators, but I don't give a damn.Jo earned that victory fair and square, and after what Maddie pulled earlier, watching her get beat by a superior rider feels like justice served with a side of sweet revenge.
Jo grins as she exits the arena.Her cheeks are flushed with the pride of victory.Her eyes sparkle with the kind of satisfaction that comes from proving your worth when someone tries to tear you down.
"Fifteen-point-eight!"Buck shouts."Ladies and gentlemen, that's a new arena record for Jolene Callahan!"
The crowd erupts, and I find myself hollering again, this time joined by half the stands.Jo raises her hand in acknowledgment, but her eyes find mine amid the chaos.The triumphant grin she aims at me is the sweetest thing I've ever seen.
But now, it's time for one of my best events.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Buck hollers through the PA, "it's time for a fan favorite event.Bull riding!"
The eight-second countdown that could make or break my weekend.I experience the familiar pre-ride nerves as I check my gear one final time.The bull rope feels solid in my hands, the rosin sticky against my palm.
"First up, Clay McKendrick from Montana, riding your favorite bull---Tornado Alley!"
I nod to the gate crew and settle onto the massive black beast's back.Tornado Alley shifts beneath me, two thousand pounds of muscle and bad attitude just waiting to launch me into orbit.I wrap the rope around my hand, testing the grip.
"You got this, cowboy!"Jo shouts through the crowd noise, and I glance up to see her pressed against the rail.That new arena record she achieved makes her glow from head to toe.The sight of her cheering for me...it shoots a jolt of determination through my veins that's stronger than any adrenaline rush.
I settle deeper into the rope, feeling Tornado's muscles bunch beneath me.The bull's reputation precedes him---he's sent more cowboys to the dirt than a bucking bronc convention, but that just makes the challenge sweeter.
"Ready?"the gate man calls out.
I nod once, sharp and decisive."Turn him loose."
The gate swings open and Tornado Alley explodes out of the chute like a black hurricane.The first buck nearly rattles my teeth loose, but I clamp down with my legs and let my free arm find its rhythm.One Mississippi, two Mississippi...
The world becomes a blur of spinning dirt and sky as Tornado Alley twists his massive frame, trying every trick in his considerable playbook.A sharp right spin followed by a bone-jarring drop that would've unseated me six months ago.But I'm not the same rider I was back then.I've got more than ranch bills driving me now.
Five Mississippi, six Mississippi...
Tornado changes tactics, bucking straight up before slamming back down with enough force to make my spine compress.My vision blurs for a split second, but I recover, finding my center again as the crowd roars somewhere beyond the dust cloud we're kicking up.
Seven Mississippi...
One more second.Just one more.Tornado Alley twists violently beneath me, his massive head swinging around as if he's trying to find me, to knock me loose with those horns.I lean back, compensating for the movement, my free arm windmilling to keep my balance.
Eight Mississippi!
The buzzer sounds just as the bull executes a perfect spin that finally breaks my grip.I'm airborne for a heart-stopping second before I hit the dirt hard, rolling away from those lethal hooves as the bullfighters rush in to distract Tornado Alley.My lungs burn as dust fills my throat, but I'm scrambling to my feet with a grin splitting my face.I made it.I fucking made it!Eight seconds on one of the toughest bulls in the circuit.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Clay McKendrick stays on for the full eight seconds!"Buck's voice reverberates through the arena, and he seems almost more excited than I am.Even the crowd leaps to their feet."Let's see those scores!"
I dust myself off, my heart still hammering in my chest as I look up at the scoreboard.The judges' numbers flash across the screen: 87.5.Not my best, but damn solid considering Tornado Alley's reputation.
"That's good enough to put McKendrick in first place!"Buck announces, and the throng erupts again.
I tip my hat to the crowd, but my eyes are searching for Jo.I find her jumping up and down by the rail, her face lit up with pure joy.She cups her hands around her mouth and shouts something I can't hear over the noise, but the way she's beaming makes my chest swell with pride.
"Not bad for a rancher boy," Brock Sterling's voice interrupts my celebration makes my jaw clench.He's leaning against the fence, arms crossed, that trademark smirk firmly in place."Course, you still got to outlast the rest of us."
I resist the urge to tell him exactly where he can shove his commentary.Instead, I simply nod toward the chutes where the next rider is getting ready."Guess we'll see about that, Sterling."
"Guess we will."His gaze narrows as he watches Jo wending her way toward us."Funny how your scores have been improving ever since you started playing house with Queen Jolene over there.Makes a man wonder if you're getting some extra...coaching."
His caustic tone makes my blood boil.But before I can snarl an epithet at Brock, Jo appears at my side.She's still glowing from her own victory.When she slides her arm around my waist, I can't help smiling just like she is.
"Congratulations on the ride, honey," Jo says loud enough for Sterling to hear.Then she rises onto her tiptoes to press a quick kiss on my cheek.
