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“Bryce. Let’s go what the fuck are you…” Cole walked around the corner shaking his head.
I had tucked myself away where I could still hear and see everything before my ride.
“Should have known. Let’s go, they're waiting for you.”
“Oh, shut up like you haven’t been distracted by Nicole before.”I snarled back at him.
“That’s because she knows dirty pictures before I ride helps me focus.”
Walking in step with him I nodded. The crowd was pretty loud tonight. Hearing the gates open and close, the handlers yelling, the general commotion had me pumped. Just not enough without talking to her.
“First off, don't need to be reminded that’s your little ritual. Second, I’m focused. Trust me. I got this.”
Lowering my body onto the bull I cleared my mind of anything but holding on. Running my hand over the rope and checking that my grip was tight I nodded that I was ready to go. The gate in front of me released and time slowed down. My hand firmly wrapped in place my body whipped back and forth. Trying to anticipate which way it would flip my body next, this bull was predictable. Bucking in the same pattern over and over. Trying its hardest to get me off.
Hearing the crowd cheering I knew I had hit the eight seconds and most likely gotten the score I needed. Time slows down when you’re holding on and trying not to get thrown. The only indicator I ever had was the crowd's cheers.
“And he does it! Bryce Gregory is back! Another qualifying ride. With 90 points ladies and gentlemen.”
My head spun as I walked back unscathed. The adrenaline rush after a ride was more than anything I experienced in any other thing I did in my life. Smiling from ear to ear as I grabbed my hat off the ground behind the gates, a familiar voice barreled into my ears. Turning to see where it came from, my heart beat just a little faster.
“Nice ride cowboy.”
Standing less than five feet away, she was wearing an official PBR polo, jeans that hugged her body and showed off her ass, and cowboy boots I didn’t know she even owned. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun and around her neck hung the credentials she needed to even be back in this area.
“How? You were… but… what are you doing here?”
She walked up to me wrapping her arms around my neck.“That was amazing, I knew you had it in you.”
Completely dumbfounded, I still couldn’t wrap my head around her standing here. Placing a quick peck on my cheek she was beaming with pride.
“Cole suggested I see you ride in person again. Since it’s been so long.”
“He knew you were here?”
“Well, I would hope so since he’s the one who gave me this badge and told me where to go so you wouldn’t see me before you went out.”
Placing a single kiss on my lips this time, she pulled back, studying my face.“Is this not a good surprise? I thought you would be excited, you seem… pissed.”Her shoulders slumped as her arms fell to her sides.
“I should have asked. Not just shown up like this. I knew it was a bad idea. I’ll just go. I’m sorry. I’m such an idiot.”Turning away she choked on the last bit of her words. Reaching out I grabbed out toward her arm, missing the mark.
“Wait. Hannah. Please don’t go.”
“It’s okay Bryce. I get it. I shouldn’t have just shown up.”
She didn’t turn but at least paused, giving me a second to get in front of her. With tears fighting to the surface she looked away. Her body was stiff. God, I hated I did this to her.
“No, you don’t. I didn’t expect you to be here. I’m happy. God believe me I’m so fucking happy you are here. That you saw me riding. I was all prepared to have to video chat you later.”
“So you’re not mad?”
“Not in the least, Darlin. Unless you don’t plan to make good on that text you sent me.”
Her cheeks slowly reddened as I pulled her closer. Her body easily melting into mine like no time had passed since I held her close.
“I’m so damn happy you’re here Hannah. Might have to kill Cole for not telling me.”
Her neck craned back to look at me as she spoke. The smile stretching further across her face. I was so damn lucky that smile was all for me. “He thought it might distract you if you knew.”
