AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Maize: Food is delivered, and we cleaned up. Judges are eating, and now I’m pacing. UGH.
Gavin: Awesome! So, you’re ready to hang out?
Maize: Yes! Please! I need to keep my mind busy.
A smile touches my lips, and I think of a few ways to do just that.
Gavin: Wanna meet me at the mutton busting area?
Wanting to be alone with Maize, I stand and politely excuse myself. Sarah’s face contorts, but she quickly smiles and tells me goodbye.
Maize: I’ll be there in 10 minutes.
Once I’m out of the arena, I hear a crowd yell, followed by an eruption of applause. Parents and spectators are way more excited watching the toddlers ride sheep than the stadium is watching teenagers race barrels. It’s adorable, and it’s where I first realized I wanted to ride bulls when I was older.
I lean against the metal railing and see a sheep loaded in the shoot. A boy, barely five, sits on top of the fuzzy animal with a helmet and full gear. He holds on for dear life with his arms and legs. They open the gate, and the sheep zooms into a full sprint, trying to get the kid off his back. Five seconds later, the little boy is on the ground throwing a fit with elephant-sized tears. I chuckle, and so does everyone else.
As I turn, I see Maize walking toward me wearing a sexy smile.
“There’s my champ,” I say when she’s closer and wrap my arm around her. For a second, I think she’s going to pull away, but she doesn’t. Instead, she leans in, giving me an awkward side hug, then creating space. Just like the curious horses.
“I haven’t won yet,” she reminds me, just as the next sheep bursts out with a little girl on its back. She holds on tight and ends up staying on until the announcer tells her to let go. There’s a time limit to stay on just like in bull riding. She gracefully slides off, gets up, and dusts the dirt from her jeans, then gives a thumbs-up to the audience.
“Yes!” Maize hoots and hollers, then throws a fist pump in the air.
I chuckle.
“I love seeing girls break barriers like that.”
“Around the states, mutton bustin’ is gender-neutral. But she totally kicked ass.”
When she walks past us, Maize claps loud and compliments her. I love her enthusiasm. A few more kids ride, and we decide to sit in the stands. We’re so close the softness of her skin brushes against mine.
“If you’re this excited about mutton bustin’, you’re gonna have a hell of a time in an hour.”
She licks her lips. “I’m sure I will. Honestly, I’ve never watched the bull riders.”
I tilt my head. “Why not?”
“Wasn’t interested in the big egos.” She shoots me a wink.
I clap my hands together and laugh. “Some of the assholes who ride love being in the spotlight, but most of the people who hung out with my circle kept to themselves. It was more about winning than being a celebrity. Super competitive.”
She lightly elbows me. “I was just kidding. With my schedule, it just never interested me to take a day off and come out here. Plus, most of the girls my age flocked to the men who were in town just passing through. It’s not my vibe, if you know what I mean.”
I tuck hair that’s blowing in her face behind her ear. “I understand.”
“You were an exception,” she says. “The only exception.”
Placing my hand on my chest over my heart, I grin. “Means a lot. I’m honored. Shouldn’t I get a trophy or something, though?”
She snorts. “Sometimes you’re an ass.”
“I’m not trying to be. Scout’s honor.”
My phone buzzes, and I realize it’s the alarm I set to wake Cooper. He has an hour to get ready before he has to check in.
“Wanna walk with me to get Cooper?” I ask.
She nods, and we walk down the bleachers. I place my hand on the small of her back as we move through the crowd. There are more people here now than there were earlier, and that old excitement I’d feel before competing comes back. This time, it’s a little different. While I’m not riding, I still have skin in the game because of Cooper. If he places, he’ll get the qualification he needs to go to the regional championship, which is a big deal. Though it won’t be easy, if he continues to rank, he could follow in my footsteps and make it to the world championship.
We walk past rows of trucks and horse trailers, and I can hear the generators buzzing from the campers. Most of them are luxury fifth wheels or buses, all bought by rodeo winnings and sponsors, I’m sure. These guys travel across the state to try to rank, and each time they win a title, they get paid too.
