Page 146 of Not Your Ordinary Shifter

Strangely, it helped him focus instead of the other way around.

He was going to do it. He was going to stay on Maddox for the full eight seconds, get the highest score, and he was going to do it becauseshewas watching.

Debbie

Seeing the young cowboy who rode right before Thor thrown made Debbie’s nerves skyrocket to unprecedented levels. Apparently, he’d been undefeated until now, which she’d learned thanks to the crowd around her. A lot of them seemed to think that was mostly because he wasn’t as experienced, and quite a bit of money changed hands when he was thrown. Some of them had expected that outcome, but it was still daunting.

It didn’t help that the crowd’s excitement amped up once the bull’s victory run around the arena ended, and he shook hands with the cowboy. The very air seemed to change, humming with new anticipation, everyone refocusing on the last chute with an intensity that hadn’t been present for any other ride. The wooden frame of the structure shook, quivering, and the crowd roared... except Debbie, who sucked in a breath, her anxiety spiking so hard, it hurt her stomach.

Attack? Kill?Her animal was confused, trying to figure out what the threat was.

Crap on toast, she needed to get a grip on herself before her honey badger freaked out the same way she was. That was the last thing she needed right now. Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself, so far, not a single shifter had been more than scratched. That helped a little. She didn’t have time to do much else, though, because the announcer was already talking.

“Now, for our main event, Thor versus the undefeated, Mad Maddoooooooox!” He held out the second syllable of the bullshifter’s name the way a soccer announcer announced a goal, and the crowd roared to life, surging to their feet and stomping as they cheered—something they hadn’t done for anyone else.

When the gate to the chute slammed open and the massive bull charged out—Thor looking strangely small on his back—the sound was deafening. Debbie and her cousins were caught up with everyone else, on their feet, screaming and jumping as the bull bucked... heaved... twisted...

She shrieked as Thor’s legs lifted off the bull’s back, but then he was back down again—ouchthat looked like it hurt.

In her head, her honey badger was shrieking as well, in its own kind of weird, violently inclined cheer.Apparently, her honey badger was now a fan of the rodeo. It wanted Thor to win as badly as she did, even though it would technically mean she’d lost the bet.

The buzzer sounded.

And Thor went flying through the air just a half-second after, turning the crowd’s shocked and jubilant roar that he’d managed to stay on the whole time to an anxious scream. Debbie’s hands flew to her mouth, her eyes wide as she watched him hit the ground, rolling several feet before he came to a stop.

Attack! Kill!

Her honey badger wanted at the bull so badly, Debbie felt her bones start to creak in anticipation of a shift.

Chill out!She snapped at it.

The animal only sulked for a moment before sighing with relief as Thor got to his feet, a broad grin on his face. Debbie hadn’t thought it was possible for the crowd togetany louder, but she’d been wrong. She screamed right along with them, so loud, her throat hurt.

Thor

When the buzzer sounded, and Thor realized he’d actually stayed on Maddox’s back the whole time, he whooped—and immediately lost his concentration and his balance, laughing as he flew through the air.

I won! I fucking won!

His buck snorted.Of course.

Cocky ass animal.

Hitting the ground, he rolled, still grinning, before leaping to his feet. The screams of the crowd, the bright lights shining down on him, was an adrenaline rush like no other. His stag preened inside his head, loving the adoration.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Maddox approaching, shifted back to human form, his shoulders slumped. The big bull shifter held out his hand, and sympathy surged. It couldn’t be easy, but Maddox was taking his first loss with good grace.

“Hell of a ride, man,” Thor said, clasping the other man’s forearm in a more intimate move than a mere handshake. He could hear the crowd cheering again, loving that both of their heroes were displaying sportsmanship. “You almost had me there.” He didn’t even have to lie. His balls still ached, despite the cup he wore, from the jolt Maddox had given him.

“I know.” A ghost of a smile crossed Maddox’s lips. “Next time.”

Thor laughed. Yeah, a rematch would be a hell of a thing. Especially now that Maddox had something to actually work toward.

They slapped each other on the back with their free hands in a kind of manly half-hug before Maddox turned Thor backtoward the stands while he walked off to find some clothes. Thor thrust his fists in the air, giving the crowd the celebratory acknowledgment they wanted.

Already he could see women lining up outside the fence, eyes shiny with interest… but there was only one woman he wanted to see right now.

Chapter

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