I bent back up, taking her laptop from her, meeting her emerald eyes.
Fuck, she’s gorgeous.Confidence radiated off her, and the smile she carried as she backed up and did a little jig made theroom brighter. Even now—wearing a tank and pajama shorts, no makeup, her hair in a messy bun—I could practically see how soft her skin was, and my mind wondered if it felt how it looked. The curves of her body that had been visible even in winter clothing were now more prominent. I was basically being held together by a thread. If only she had let me talk, I could be pulling her close to me. I could be kissing her in the midst of all her things, feeling her against me as we moved together, humming in tandem as we explored.
Shit…it was going to be a lot harder than I thought.
Being her friend was going to be the death of me.
“We leave in four days, and you’re packing?” I moved a blouse on top of another, finding a place to sit on the couch.
“I have a system.” She came around the edge of the couch, grabbing two of the beers, popping them open, and handing one to me. “It’s six days in Reno. Five rides—six if I make the qualifier—”
“You will,” I interrupted, looking up at her through my lashes.
She narrowed her eyes and gave me a tilted grin. If only I could kiss that grin.
“I may not, but that’s okay if I don’t.” She held her palms out in front of her. “I’m pretty sure I booked everything correctly, too. Two hotel rooms, two horse stalls, and I made sure I was registered for all the events. You would be proud.”
“Damn,” I chuckled, typing in her password—because yes, I knew her password to her phone and laptop.Was that a perk of being a friend, or did that mean there was more here?“Why am I even here?”
“Shut it. I need you to double-check me.” She lifted her bottle to her lips. “Just to be safe. Eventually, I’ll get this done by myself.”
“Ah, then you won’t need me anymore.” I gave her a cocky smirk. I prayed she would always need—or want—me around.
“Impossible.” She pointed at the laptop. “Check. I’m going to go get my garment bags.” She spun on her heel and dashed up the stairs.
I checked, and checked, and checked, and…she had everything handled. Two hotel rooms. Two stalls. Five rodeo registrations. There was one more thing. I pulled open a tab to the Reno rodeo, clicking on the royalty tab, and skimmed. We’d miss the Miss Reno Rodeo pageant, but that wasn’t what I was looking for. I found the list of royalty who would be attending. No, Miss Rodeo Montana. My grin turned into a full-fledged smile. Without this distraction, I had no doubt that she’d make it to the championship night.
Seconds later, a few garment bags were tossed down the stairs, landing with a thump at the front door.
“Need help?” I called.
“Nope!” Her voice echoed through the stairwell. I just laughed and returned to the task at hand.
Hawkins
If it isn’t Wyatt Hartwell, I see across the lobby.
I read the text, furrowing my brow, looking up, and scanning the room for my friend. I hadn’t seen Hawkins in months—not since that night I ruined my career—and he was honestly the last person I’d thought I would see here. I caught onto his wavingarms instantly, and I shook my head, shoving my phone in my pocket.
Quinn and I had arrived in Reno only a few hours before, and after we settled the boys, we came straight to The Grand Sierra Hotel. The next day was going to be busy, especially for Quinn—and I knew she would want to go right to bed. I even doubted we’d watchOnce Upon a Timetonight.
I spun, placing my hand on her shoulder, giving her the heads up I’d be right back as she checked us in, then sprinted across the lobby to my friend.
“Hey Hawk!” I grabbed his hand, pulling him to my shoulder to wrap my free arm around him. “Been a long time. I didn’t think you’d be here.”
He pulled away and shrugged. Hawkins was built, his black hair always sticking up at odd angles, even under his hat.
“Didn’t think you’d come. Sorry, man, they chose my name over yours.” He spoke quietly, dipping his chin.
I grinned. “You announcing the next couple of nights?” I asked, raising a brow.
Hawkins met my gaze and nodded. “Yeah. Up until the championship. I’ll sneak you into the box. Sam’s here too—not working though, just hanging around.”
“I’d love to get in the box, but”—I turned to look at Quinn over my shoulder. She bobbed her head and took the key from the receptionist—“I’m here helping Quinn.”
“Compton?” He raised a brow. “The same girl—”
“Yeah.” I chuckled, stopping him before he could go any further. “One in the same. She’s riding, heading to the NFR. And traveling with a high maintenance—”
