“He’s agreed to help me with my horses this trip,” Quinn added, tilting her head to me, giving me a cheeky smirk. “So yeah, assistant sounds about right.”
“You’re traveling together?”
“Yup.” Quinn popped the P.
“Oh, I had no idea.” April furrowed her brow for a millisecond before offering me a knowing grin. “I miss hearing your voice. I was hoping since you were here—”
“Nah.” I interrupted her. “Still technically on sabbatical.” That’s what Sam called it? Right? “But it was good to see you. You’re right—it’s been way too long.” I reached up, moving a flyaway hair from her shoulder, making sure it was perfectly blended in with the rest of her golden locks. I could literally see her swoon with one gesture. Now if only that would work on someotherbarrel racer.
“We’re all going out tonight after the rodeo. Join us,” she cooed, taking a step closer to me, her hands landing on my chest.
Normally, I’d jump at the chance, but tonight, I couldn’t think of anything better than hanging out with Quinn. I didn’t even know if that was in the cards, but looking at Quinn right now, I didn’t want to be anywhere else.
“Ah.” I turned on my disappointed sigh. “You know I’d love to, but I’m here with Quinn. I gotta help her with Charming and make sure everything is okay. Plus, we leave early tomorrow morning for Phoenix—”
She frowned, pleading almost as she slumped her shoulders. “Okay, then. If you’re sure. But…” She raised on her tiptoes and gave me a chaste, fleeting kiss, one that would have sent me into a spiral wanting so much more before. “My number is the same if you change your mind.”
I hummed, the knot in my stomach unraveling as she walked away. Blinking, I turned back to Charming, noticing the pinched, smug expression on Quinn’s face right away. It was a mixture between amusement and…was that…jealously?
It can’t be. Quinn? Jealous? Over me?
I was reading too much into it.
She most likely just wanted to tease the hell out of me for what just happened.
“Don’t say anything,” I said sternly.
She pursed her lips, waving a hand in the air. “Wasn’t gonna.”
“You look like you were gonna.”
“Oh, but Wyatt.” She placed her hand to her chest, doing her best impression of April, adding a bit more Valley girl flair. It was fucking adorable. “It’s been too long. Two years too long.”
I raised an eyebrow. “She’s a very talented girl.” I motioned back to where April had come from. “She just got overly excited.”
Quinn let out a soft chuckle. “Go chase if you want. Don’t stop on my account.”
“Chase?” I repeated the word, a coy grin spreading across my lips. “Come on, Quinn, there’s only one girl I want to chase right now.” I handed her Charming’s reins, holding her eye contact for longer than necessary. There I go…getting lost in the sea of emerald.
I blinked, forcing myself back to dry land. “Come on, let’s get you in that field for a minute before the race.” I bounced my eyebrows, turned to shut the tack shed, and walked off—grateful when I heard Charming’s hooves his the concrete from behind me.
Thirteen
Quinn
IbeatApril.
By three seconds.
Not that I was counting.
After my win, Wyatt bounded up to me, a skip in his step as he wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me off the ground. I squealed as he laughed into the crook of my neck, sending a warm, fuzzy feeling through my spine that I couldn’t quite explain. He set me down and shook my shoulders, congratulating me on the run, teasing slightly that he’ll have agirl kiss him before every ride, as it seemed to spark just the right motivation in me. I gave him the longest eye roll I could, which in turn got me the widest smirk he could muster right before I playfully shoved him away.
I silently loved the fact that he was there to cheer me on and be by my side. Cash was fantastic to have, but he would start listing ways I could go faster and harder the next go around. With Wyatt, it was just…fun. He was excited to see me win and had just as much energy as I did after. The adrenaline that pumped through both of us was strong enough that it could be boxed and saved for another night.
“Quinn,” Wyatt began, opening the tack and placing the saddle on the pole, grabbing a brush to toss at me. “You just won the Flagstaff Rodeo. What are you going to do now!?” He put on his best announcer’s voice, I swear, even adding a southern twang to it.
I raised an eyebrow. “Shower. Watch my comfort show. Sleep.” I ticked off my after-ride routine in my mind.
