I felt Quinn’s entire body stiffen, and once Helen was out of earshot, I spun her to face me. Her eyes were already sunken, her lips tight as she was no doubt replaying her mother’s words over and over.
“Hey.” I leaned down to meet her at eye level. “We aren’t going to spiral here.”
“We?” she parroted, a shake to her voice.
“Remember who is really proud of you. The onesyoufind most important. Those are the people you want in your corner. I’m here not tohelpyou, but to watch you. And Quinn—I love what I see. Donotlet her get in your head. Donotlet her takethis. You deserve this more than anyone. The only thing that matters right now is you and this ride.”
Her breath shook. “You love what you see?”
“You kicking ass and heading to the NFR? Yeah, Quinn…I fuckinglovewhat I see.”
Her body relaxed, and a soft, closed-lip smile formed, her cheeks turning pink as her eyes stayed steady on me.
“You need to get back there,” I reminded her, moving her hair from her shoulders. “I’ll be waiting for you—okay?”
She nodded, letting out a shaky breath before reaching for Charming’s reins, giving me one last hopeful look before she made her way to the back of the arena.
I watched her stride go from hesitant to firm and confident, her hand reaching up to stroke Charming’s nose. And when she turned the corner, she gave me one last look, one last gorgeous smile, before she vanished.
Twenty-Seven
Quinn
IlovewhatIsee.
Wyatt was right. Wyatt was absolutely, one hundred percent, right. The only thing that mattered in the moment was the ride—and getting back to him afterwards. And in order to do that, I had to beat my time from last night.
I mounted Charming and spun him in circles, his speed ramping up.
I fucking love what I see.
“Amber coming in with a seventeen point nine, a seventeen point nine. But now we’re heading to Montana, native, barrel racing’s princess, I’ve heard her be called—”
Huh…that’s a new one…
“—Quinn Compton riding her gelding Charming. Now, last night, she pulled in a fifteen point seven, and the time to beat for tonight is a fourteen point four. I really think—just watching her these last couple of rides and even seeing what she’s done in the past—she can beat it.”
I blocked out the announcer’s voice—I was certain it was Hawkins—and tightened my legs around Charming, feeling his body move as he gained the speed. When I rode, nothing passed through my mind. All I could hear was Charming’s hooves hitting the dirt, all I could feel was the pounding of his heart and mine syncing up, and all I could see were those damn barrels. But tonight…tonight I saw the prize. I saw Wyatt ready for me. I felt his arms wrapping around my waist, lifting me off the ground. I heard his laugh in my ear and his joy ringing through my body. I could see his lips against mine.
I rounded Charming over the first barrel. We went right and saw the dirt fly around his hooves. He huffed and picked his speed back up, rounding the second barrel. I let out a laugh as we booked it to the third, rounding it, and then we flew down the arena and into the gate.
“And she’s beat the top time tonight and set the time to beat for the Reno Rodeo—Quinn Compton pulling in a thirteen point eight! Did you see that ride? Thirteen point eight! That’s going to be a tough time to beat for the entire Reno Rodeo, sending her straight to the championship—"
With one thing—one person—on my mind, I slowed Charming to a trot and circled the back, not seeing him anywhere. My heart rate picked up, but then logic set in, and I made my way straight to the trailer. If he weren’t by the gates,he would be there. As Charming got closer, my blood pumped through my entire body. He was so close…
Dismounting Charming, the buzz still flying through my veins, I stopped in front of my trailer. Seeing no one there, I huffed a breath.
“Wyatt?” I whispered.
“Compton!”
I spun, seeing him running through the few people who were behind the arena to get to me. My heart pumped, and I bolted, taking off running towards him. I jumped into his arms and wrapped my legs around his waist. I could feel him stumble a few steps back before he caught his balance, and his arms tightened around me.
It felt so good to be in his arms, it felt so…perfect…so right.
Don’t think about what could go wrong, Quinn—don’t let that stop you.
He was the prize waiting for me. He was my biggest supporter. He was my best friend. The man I was falling for, even though I was trying so hard not to. And here, in his arms—I could stay here forever.
