Page 37 of The Hearts We've Broken
I nodded in understanding, although I still rolled my lips.
“Ellison could go on and on about this topic, June, so just understand that accidents can happen, but for the great majority, these animals are treated like royalty.” Isa chuckled, giving the SparksNotes version of Ellison’s lecture.
“Hey, I’m just trying to provide a different perspective. Education on the topic leads to understanding.” Ellison shrugged. “Seriously, though, if you have questions, any of us who grew up around the sport and the culture would be more than happy to answer.”
The guys nodded and grunted in agreement, not having anything to add to Ellison’s statements.
“She’s also a vet tech and has been on call for some ofthe smaller rodeos back at home to help. She knows her stuff,” Reid pointed out.
I clasped my hands in my lap. “I definitely wasn’t trying to discredit the sport or lifestyle. It’s just very different from what I’m used to,” I admitted. “I’m grateful to be learning, though. Spending time with you all has opened my eyes a lot to this life.”
Jake, who was sitting behind us, clapped me on the back. “We’ll make a cowgirl out of you before you know it. We can be quite convincing. Just ask Isa.” He gave her a playful wink, and Isa just rolled her eyes with a grin.
“Noted.” I snorted.
The rest of the events went off without a hitch, and bull riding was up next. After the lights went low and the bullfighters were introduced, the first bull rider exploded out of the gate on a nasty bull named Diablo. Although he did his best, he didn’t stay on for eight seconds.
“Folks, you all saw his eighty-seven-point ride last night. Tonight, the bull he’s drawn is Payback. Michael ‘Mikey’ Tucker. Let’s go!” The announcer drew out Mikey’s name, and shortly after, the chute gate was pulled. The bull flew out, kicking its legs back and spinning wildly in a circle.
My eyes widened, and I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palm. It wasn’t a long time, but the seconds seemed to drag as Mikey continued to hang on, his free arm flailing in the air.
“Come on now, Mikey! Get it!” the announcer yelled out.
The bull whipped around, thrashing its head from side to side, dust flying up all around it.
The eight-second buzzer went off, and a wave of relief washed over me as I released a breath.
“How’re you doing over there, June?” Jake chuckled, probably noticing my anxious demeanor.
I waved him off as the announcer called out Mikey’s score. “Eighty-five for the Montanan!”
After Mikey’s recent performances, the comments on social media seemed to calm down a bit. The fans were starting to realize that he was serious about bull riding and didn’t come to Houston to play around. There were the occasional comments about his relationship status, but they were few and far between at this point. I knew he told me to avoid them, but I couldn’t help it.
Reid, Isa, Ellison, and Colter slid into a half-moon booth in the back corner of the bar, leaving just enough space for Jake, Hayden, and Mikey to squeeze in. I stood at the end of the table, awkwardly shifting my feet.
“Should I just go get a chair or something?” There wasn’t enough room for all of us to fit. There was hardly enough room for the seven of them as it was.
“Oh, Juniper, here, you can have my spot.” Jake started to slide out of the booth on the opposite side of the table, but Mikey waved him off, grabbing my hand and pulling me onto his lap.
“She’s good right here, aren’t you, Peachy?” He flashed a cocky grin as his hand settled on my denim-glad waist, fingers splaying out.
Before I could answer, a server walked up to our table. If our seating arrangement phased her, she didn’t show it. “Can I get y’all some drinks?”
The guys ordered themselves a round of Pendletonshots and some beers, while Ellison ordered a tequila soda, and Isa ordered a Malibu lemonade. You could tell a lot about a person by their drink order, something I’d learned from a few years of bartending. I’d decided all of their drinks were fitting based on what I’d seen from their personalities.
I ordered a Cosmo with Tito’s and Cointreau instead of Triple Sec, and specifically requested that the bartender go light on the cranberry, asking for a lime wedge instead of concentrate. The server raised a brow at me, but I was particular and knew what I liked.
“I’ll be right back with those.” Our server spun around on her heels, walking toward the bar, and I couldn’t help myself from stealing a glance at Mikey to see if he was watching her leave.
But he was only looking at me, something like admiration in his gaze. Butterflies stirred in my stomach, and I did my best to hide my smile.
Mikey brushed a stray hair out of my eyes, planting a gentle kiss on my cheek.
My phone buzzed with a text message notification.
Rudy’s Angels
Liv
