Page 57 of Silent Count
“Here’s our section,” Charlie calls out and starts up the stairs, Brooke following behind her.
A little boy wearing a Walker T-shirt steps up to me before I can start up the stairs and asks me, Casey, and Silas for an autograph. He hands me the rodeo program and a pen. I sign it, then pass it to Casey to sign, and he hands it to Silas. His little eyes light up when Silas hands his paper back to him. It’s fun to see fans like this in public, but I want to just be with my friends tonight and not worry about eyes on me.
As we climb up the stairs of the stands to find our seats, Chelsea is walking in front of me. It’s taking all of my self-control not to throw her over my shoulder and find a dark corner somewhere. She looks so fucking hot right now in her skintight jeans, cowboy boots, pearl button-down shirt, and a cowboy hat that she borrowed from Charlie. Her hair spills down the back in gorgeous black waves.
I come up right behind her while we wait for Casey and Noelle to make their way down the packed row. I flip my baseball hat backward and lean into her, moving her hair off her neck,and drop a kiss just below her ear. “You’re killing me in those jeans, Lucky. I can’t wait to peel them off later.”
She shivers and looks over her shoulder and winks at me. “That sounds like fun, Callaway. But first, let’s watch these cowboys try to tame these beasts! I’m so excited.”
If I were a less confident man, I might be jealous. But I know she’ll be coming home with me and in my bed tonight, so I just laugh. “Maybe I should try it sometime.”
“Bo, no, absolutely not.” She sits in her seat next to Noelle.
I sit down next to her and take her hand in mine. “Why? You don’t think I can do it?”
“Oh, I’m sure you excel at everything you do.” She kisses my cheek. “But your coach wouldn’t be happy. And not to mention, you’re way too tall to be a cowboy.” She shakes her head.
“What do you mean, too tall? Is that a thing? Is there, like, a height restriction on cowboys?” I chuckle. “I don’t think that’s a thing, baby.”
“Well, I don’t really know, but I feel like you have all”—she waves her hand up and down my body—“this. Long limbs, muscles for days. I’m sure it wouldn’t be easy.”
I turn toward her and cup her face in my hand. “I think I know why you really wouldn’t want me to do it.”
Her eyes twinkle as she looks into my eyes. “Oh, yeah? Why’s that?”
I lean in close to her face. “Because you would be too worried about me.” I tuck a loose piece of her hair behind her ear. “Because you like me too much, and to even think about me getting hurt bothers you. It’s okay, you can admit it.” I place a soft kiss on her lips.
“Bo, I have to watch you get out on that football field every week. That’s just as big of a risk as riding in the rodeo.” She places her hand on top of mine and kisses me this time.
Noelle leans over. “She’s right, you know. We have to watch you guys get out there every weekend, risking your safety. As much as it’s a blast to watch you guys play, it’s never easy, seeing any of you get taken to the ground.” She winces.
Casey takes her hand and chimes in, “Aww, pretty girl. You know I’m too fast to let anyone get to me.” He kisses her on the cheek.
“Oh, really, Ironman? How’s that bruise on your ribs healing?” She leans back and lifts her eyebrow at him.
“That was a shady hit. I’m fine. Besides, you kissed it and made it better.” He grabs her by the neck and pulls her in for a kiss.
“Eww, that’s gross, Case. I don’t need to have that thought in my head.” Charlie leans over and joins the conversation. “I guess this is my payback?”
“Actually, no. But it’s not fun, is it?” Casey turns and wraps his arm around his sister’s neck, tipping her cowboy hat forward.
She pushes it off, but laughs. “Whatever.” She straightens her hat, then turns to talk to Brooke.
Chelsea squeezes my hand to get my attention. “To answer your question, yes, I do like you too much. I don’t like seeing you get hurt.” She swallows hard after she says it, like it was difficult for her to admit.
One thing I’ve noticed about her in the time we’ve spent together is that she doesn’t like feeling vulnerable. She’s cautious and likes to be in control, none of which I mind. I’m completely gone for this girl, and I will gladly drop to my knees anytime she demands. And I do.
The announcer comes on through the speaker system, announcing the next event before I can answer her, so I just kiss her again instead. While they announce the riders competing, Silas elbows me.
“Dude, I think I could do this. We had horses back home. I bet it’s not that much different.” He nods and has a smirk on his face. “I mean, I go up against three-hundred-pound linemen. I could handle a cow.”
Chelsea leans around me, laughing. “Silas, those aren’t cows. Those are angry bulls, not at all happy about having someone on their backs. I think it’s a whole lot different.”
“Eh, I think I could handle it.” He waves it off.
Silas has become a good friend, and he’s an interesting guy for sure. He’s funny, but there is a serious side to him that we see at home more than in the locker room. He plays it off like he’s a goofy guy with the girls around, but what they don’t know is that Silas is actually insanely smart. He’s an all-American scholar athlete.
“I think we could both do it, but my girl is right. Coach would have our asses.” I hold out my fist for him to bump.
