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"Change of plans." She pulls back, beaming. "Dr. Callahan added another stop to the rotation, and Sheridan is one of them. I’m earning legitimate clinical hours, Addie. Large animals. Real rodeo vet work." She gestures at her polo like it's a championship belt. "I am basically a professional."

"You're the biggest dork I know," I laugh. "I'm really glad you're here."

We fall into step together, wandering back toward the horse stalls.

"Seriously, seeing you just made my day," I say. "It's nice having someone familiar out here."

"Yeah?" Shae glances over at me. "So... how's the rodeo life? Living the dream?"

"It's good. Everything I’ve been dreaming about, and more. I feel ready for tomorrow."

"That's not what I asked."

I don't tell her about the argument with Chace. I don't tell her what he said to me the other day, or that every time he stands too close, a shiver races up my spine and warmth blooms beneath my skin. I don't even like admitting those things to myself, let alone saying them out loud to Shae. It's not that I don't trust her. I do. It's just... once those thoughts leave my mouth, they become real. And I'm not ready to examine what they might mean.

So instead, I sigh. "I've survived one week with Chace without committing a felony. Honestly, that feels like an accomplishment."

She laughs so loud a horse two stalls down startles. "Just one week and you're already looking for a place to bury a body, I see."

"I'm not just looking; I'm actively jotting down locations. There's a difference."

"Uh huh." She loops her arm through mine. "Come out with me Saturday after your run. There's a bar about ten minutes from the grounds; a couple of the vet team people are going. It'll be fun."

"Yeah, okay. That sounds really good actually."

We walk back toward my campsite together, talking about her rotation schedule and Saturday's run. When we reach camp, it's as quiet as it was when I left a couple of hours ago.

Except this time, I notice something I somehow missed before. A paper plate sits on the table, covered in foil, with Addie scrawled across the top in black Sharpie. I walk over and lift one corner of the foil. Eggs and bacon, which appear to still be warm, with two pieces of toast tucked along the side. I stare at it for a second, the foil still pinched between my fingers.

"Well." Shae appears at my shoulder, looking down at the plate. "That's pretty sweet."

"He probably just didn't want the food to go to waste." I turn the foil back down. "Or he didn't want to listen to me complain about missing breakfast. It's a self-preservation thing."

"Mmm." She presses her lips together, eyes bright. "Sure."

"Shae."

"I didn't say anything.” She picks up her bag and gives me a one-armed squeeze. "I'll text you about Saturday. Eat your breakfast." She heads off down the row, and I watch her go.

I look back down at the plate. Addie. Written neat and deliberate in Sharpie, like he wanted to make sure there was no confusion about who it was for. I'm hungry, and I don't want it to go to waste after all. Chace is still the most aggravating person I know. That much is a fact. But the small act of saving me breakfast has me smiling down at my eggs like a complete fool.

Chapter ten

Chace

Even though it's July, the early morning air has a bit of a chill to it. I throw on a hoodie, pull my worn baseball cap over my head, and climb out of the tent. The air mattress I've been sleeping on keeps deflating overnight, so my back is a little sore. I stretch as I take in the campsite around me, my gaze drifting to the coffee pot on the table beneath the canopy. The red light is on, which means Addie's already made coffee, but she's nowhere in sight, and her camper is quiet.

Today's purse is just over five grand for first prize. She needs to walk away with at least three thousand to hold her current spot in the standings. The rodeo's a math game as much as anything else, and Addie's numbers are tight. I ran them myself. She needs to add another twenty grand in earnings over the summer if she's going to climb high enough to make the finals.

Today is important. Hell, every weekend is. I'd figured we might have to hit a few jackpot events along the way, just in case, but she's not going to want to hear that this morning. So instead, I decide just to be good and, for once, stay off her bad side.

Which means I’ve got some ground to make up. Twice I've snuck out to the underground events, and guilt runs through me at the thought. I haven't been around much, so I finish my coffee and head towards the stables to make myself useful.

As I walk along, my mind can’t help but wander to the possibility of me getting back on a bull. The purses for these unsanctioned rides are huge. Life-changing huge. The bulls are mean, and the men climbing on them are even meaner. Getting in isn't cheap either. The buy-in alone is more money than I make in two weeks working for Eli.

It's not like I can ask someone to front the money. Who would I even ask without blowing up everything I've worked so hard to keep quiet? Besides, my friends, including Addie, would murder me if they found out I was climbing back on a bull. I damn near killed myself the last time I got hurt. None of them would be too pleased if I started riding again, let alone at an underground event.

When I enter the horse stables, I spot Addie with Dusty. She's already in her riding gear, her thick dark hair pulled into a neat braid down her back. She's rubbing Dusty's mane and whispering something in his ear that I can't make out. They go well together. They're both stubborn as hell on the outside, but soft where it counts.