I glanced at Ollie. “Did you have anything to do with it?”
She offered me a wry grin, before pulling me in for one of her awkward one shoulder hugs she wasn’t very fond of handing out. “The guys and I loaded up the room with little hidden cameras so I could get some pictures and video of it. I'm gonna go through it tomorrow and edit a video for you.”
My eyes stung, and my throat tightened as tears slipped down my cheeks. “You guys,” I squeaked out, trying to wipe at my face without messing up my makeup. “Thank you.”
Cash wrapped an arm around my shoulders, jostling me. “I call dibs as maid of honor.”
I laughed and shoved at him playfully. “You can’t be my maid of honor.”
“Well, then what about flower boy? I can toss beer cans or something to the crowd as I walk down the aisle,” he replied with a grin.
Another laugh escaped me. “I actually think that sounds kinda cool.”
“See!” Cash whirled to face Charlie. “I told you it was a good idea. You’re just bein’ no fun, Charlie girl.”
Charlie rolled her eyes even as a grin lit up her face. “Why are you even complainin’, dummy? You’re already in the wedding!”
I grinned at their exchange and silently soaked up all of the happiness around me in that moment.
Who would have thought that planning my dad’s wedding in Texas would lead to new friends, a new home, a new career, a soulmate, and the promise of happily ever after?
The lights overhead flickered, and a commentator’s voice reverberated through the indoor arena, announcing the start of events. Excitement thrummed to life as the opening ceremony full of music and strobing lights and pyrotechnics commenced. They introduced all the teams competing, each of their men walking into the arena to stand and wave to the crowd.
“And folks, you’re in for a special treat tonight as we have two time World Champion bull rider, Huxson Lane with us, who came outta retirement for this last ride.”
There had been no point fussing over my tears before, because they just started anew as an archway of fire blazed to life in the middle of the arena and Hux walked through it, waving a hand in the air as he made his way forward. If he was nervous, he didn’t show it. I could see the bright grin on his face from the huge screen hanging in the middle of the arena.
He was so handsome, and full of life and confidence. He’d argue that when we met, he was washed up and broken. But I’d never seen him that way. He was like a diamond in the rough. Beautiful, magnificent, he just needed something to help him shine again.
“Go get em’, cowboy,” I whispered under my breath as I clutched my hands to my chest, sending up a silent prayer that he came back to me.
Chapter forty-five
Open The Gate
Hux
Eight seconds.
All I needed was eight. Damn. Seconds.
I’d forgotten how loud it was down in the thick of all the action. The other contestants shouting orders and cheers and words of encouragement to those listening. The roar of the crowd and the thumping beat of the music. The bulls thrashing against the pipe-stall. The smack of the gate as it slammed open.
I could see everything in my mind. I’d been to this arena before. Ridden here. The setup was always the same.
Rolling out my neck, I gripped the collar of my Kevlar vest like my life depended on it while I tried to focus.
You got this. Breathe. You got this.
A wave of déjà vu overwhelmed me so thoroughly I struggled to suck down enough air in my lungs to keep from passing out.Doubt clawed for purchase in my chest. Was I really going to do this? Was I really going to risk my life, my relationship, my dream with my future wife for just eight damn seconds?
But this was so much more than eight seconds.
It was a defining moment. A final ride. A death of an era.
It was my one shot to face my fear, sit on its back, and ride it one last time.
I’d demanded they let me ride Lights Out—who only had three scored rides on him since I last rode him. In some weird, cosmic way, him and I were connected in all this. He’d been what I thought was the end of my career once before. It felt fitting to end it all on his back.
