Page 4 of A Lot Like Love
Ryder stopped walking, bunched his fists, and spun around. “I’ll give up rodeo when they take me away in a casket. So when I tell you to shut the hell up, I mean it.”
They faced off, staring at each other, neither ready to give in. Ryder was sick of both his brothers getting on his back about retiring—the more they told him to give it up, the more determined he became. Nate was getting prepped to take over the family business, managing a nationwide property portfolio that rivaled Trump’s, and Chase was running the ranches, which left Ryder with nothing if he didn’t stick to doing what he was good at. It wasn’t that his grandfather hadn’t wanted him involved, but he just didn’t fit the same molds his brothers did.
“Ryder…”
He spun around and strode toward the temporary bar. Nate would follow—eventually—and right now he needed a whiskey. Three pours over ice. Or maybe even the entire bottle.
“Wait up!”
Ryder grinned when his brother called out. They might argue all the time, but when it came to drinking or women, they were always on the same page. Ryder slowed so Nate could catch up, and then they fell into an easy step side by side.
“So where did you meet her?”
“She was watching the title ride.”
Nate groaned. “Seriously? You’re all ruffled up over a rodeo groupie?”
Ryder nudged him hard in the shoulder. “She’s no groupie. I only just managed to get her number because I wrangled it out of her friend.”
“You’re kidding me?” Nate’s shoulders shook as he laughed. “You’re losing your touch. Need some pointers from your big brother?”
“Ha ha, real funny,” Ryder muttered. The truth was he wasn’t used to hearing the word no, not when it came to women, which was why he was even more determined to hear her say yes.
“Hey look, it’s Ryder King!”
He glanced sideways and saw a group of girls squealing and laughing, hurrying toward him. He didn’t mind the fuss, usually loved it, but right now he just wanted a drink.
“Looks like you could take your pick here,” Nate murmured, low enough for only Ryder to hear.
“Will you sign my T-shirt?” a cute blonde asked.
He turned on the charm, smiling and hitching a thumb into his belt loop as he looked down at them. They were young, maybe eighteen or nineteen, but it was still flattering. And he’d never said no to signing across any woman’s breasts before, even if they were covered in a tight white tee with a bucking bronc on the front rather than bare.
“Any of you gorgeous ladies have a pen?” he drawled.
They all giggled again before a brunette plucked one from her purse and passed it to him. Ryder signed each of their T-shirts before folding his arms, standing back to look at the group. They were all beautiful. He should have invited them for a drink and enjoyed the view, but the only woman he wanted to entertain tonight had turned him down flat.
“Now y’all go and have a good night,” he said, taking a few steps back before turning away. “And don’t forget to come watch me ride a bronc later on.”
“A bronc ride?” Nate growled out. “You’re out of your goddamn mind. The doctor said…”
Ryder walked off and left his brother talking to the dust in his wake. He knew exactly what the doctor had said—that he had to be careful—and he was. But he also wasn’t giving up the one thing in his life he loved, no matter how dangerous it was. He’d started wearing protective gear at the big rodeos, but the rest was down to being smart—and lucky.
He pulled his phone from his pocket to check if the mystery woman had sent him a text back, frowning when he saw the screen was empty. It was time to put in the hard yards—she might want to play hard to get, but he was a King, and Kings never turned down a challenge.And they always won.
