“Mister Lane! Mister Lane! Can I get your autograph?” The little boy all but bounced from foot to foot as he came to a stop before Hux. And Hux, the gruff, shut off cowboy I’d come to know, crouched down before the kid and aimed a grin in his direction. “Sure, kid. Where do ya want it on?”
“My hat!” the kid exclaimed. “Can you sign my hat?” As the kid thrust his cowboy hat into Hux’s hands, I noticed the sharpie Hux held. I was only a few steps away and saw his immaculate signature as he put it on the bottom of the brim of the kid’s hat.
“You were my favorite bull rider. I wanna be like you one day.”
Hux chuckled, the sound soft and deep. He reached out and tentatively placed the hat on the kid’s head. It took a moment, and a minor adjustment from his mom, who pushed him more into Hux’s line of fire. “Can you promise me something…what’s your name?” Hux asked, standing up once more.
“My name’s Hayden, sir!”
“Hayden, I don’t want you to be just like me, I want you to be better. I want you to be the best version of you that you can possibly be. You do that, and you’ll be just fine.”
If my ovaries weren’t already a puddle of mush, they were now. Hot, brave, and good with kids?
“Well, that was just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” Whit squealed under her breath.
I tried and failed to bite back a grin, then proceeded to wait until the family had said their goodbyes to Hux before stepping forward and saying, “Hey, cowboy. Have a minute for your biggest fan?”
Recognition rippled through him, a broad, brilliant smile coming to his lips. It was a miracle my heart didn’t beat right out of my chest with how fast and hard it thumped.
Holy God, he was gorgeous. And he wasmine.
When he held his hand out, I reached for it easily, melting into him as he dragged me to his side and pressed his lips to the top of my head. Seeing him like this, so open and happy and carefree, it brought tears to my eyes. Tears I’m so glad he couldn’t see, because I didn’t want him to mistake them for sadness. I’d always been one of those happy criers. Honestly, just a crier in general. But most people didn’t understand how I could get so ridiculously happy that I’d make myself cry.
This was definitely one of those times.
“Sorry for leavin’, darlin’,” he murmured, quiet enough so only I could hear.
I kissed him, whispering back, “you don’t need to apologize.”
“Well, shit, man,” a cocky voice called out from a few feet away, dragging my attention. Cash Mooney’s million-dollar grin lit up his face, bright and luminescent like the sky on the fourth of July. “He didn't even compete and he’s gettin’ a winnin’ kiss. I wanna kiss from someone as pretty as you.”
Hux chuckled, but before he could even spout off some smart ass remark, I found myself meeting the handsome cowboy’s stare, saying, “I’m sure there’s a mirror in one of the bathrooms you could kiss if you’re feeling left out.”
Everyone got a kick out of that, especially the two cowboys closest to him, who burst into laughter. Well the shorter of thetwo did, a wide grinning pulling on his scarred face. The other, more stoic one let out a low chuckle, the ghost of a smile peaking through his harsh features, but the movements looked like they were foreign to him. I recognized the first as the bull rider who won—Ryder Wright. The other was Cash’s partner in his timed event of team roping. I couldn't remember his name though.
“Damn, sweetheart,” Cash chuckled, lowering the obnoxious rose gold sunglasses he wore to peg me with his intense hazel gaze. “Cuttin’ me down twice in one night?”
I laughed. “If anything I gave you a compliment. Let’s be honest, you’re the prettiest person here.”
His grin pulled wide. “Aw, shucks. You’re makin’ me blush now.”
Hux huffed at my side, drawing me in closer to him. “Don’t make his head any bigger than it already is.”
I grinned, reveling in the feel of Hux. I’d never thought of myself as a touchy person, especially because of my time with Devin, but turns out I loved it. Craved it. Needed it. Or maybe it was just Hux I needed. He talked about me having magic, but I think he had a magic all his own.
“And who is this pretty little lady?” Cash’s voice dragged me from my reverie.
Oh my God, I’d completely forgotten about her. Which sounded horrible, I know, but she was being so quiet compared to her normal self, and well, I’d been distracted with Hux.
Gaze flicking between him and my best friend, I said quickly, “This is Whit, my bestie. Whit, this is Cash Mooney.”
Cash’s smile turned even brighter—if that was even possible—as he took Whit in. He stepped forward and reached out to grab her hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it. “Whit, huh? Thank God, cuz my wits abandoned me the minute I saw your beautiful face.”
Chaos ensued then.
Ryder and Hux both burst into fits of laughter. Even the tall cowboy cracked a smile, his shoulders rising and falling in silent mirth. Mr. Mooney appeared to have choked on his own spit and dissolved into a fit of coughing.
I couldn’t help but smile even as I rolled my eyes. God, that was the most cheesy, corny, yet clever thing I’d ever heard.
