Page 41 of The Story We Wrote

I nodded in agreement; I didn’t want to get held up and miss it. “I agree!” I chimed. “Let’s get good seats.”

Boone and I lead the pack to the bleacher style seats in the main event space. I liked to sit higher up, so I could get a bird’s eye view of everything. We climbed step after step to get to a middle-high point before sitting down. Boone was at the end, then me followed by Penny. I was grateful to be wedged between those two.

I felt a hand touch my waist, and my body was slightly pulled away from Penny. My head turned towards the culprit. Boone was smiling while staring off in the distance like he hadn’t just pulled my body closer to his. I didn’t question it. Instead, Ishimmed up and made myself comfortable against him. Neither of us said a word but had a common understanding.

“I heard Buck was doing steer wrestling,” Rhodes said, leaning over to look at Boone.

“Fuck that guy,” Boone replied, his jaw clenched and I felt his body tense up. I placed my hand on his thigh, letting him know I was there and it was okay. He finally looked down at me; our faces were closer than I thought. If I moved an inch, I would’ve felt his breath tickle my lips.Thank you,he mouthed at me. Nodding my head, I looked away and directed my attention to the arena.

The announcer came on the loudspeaker informing everyone the event was starting and to take a seat. First up was a local named Henry, who participated in this event every year. He was a crowd favorite because of his stage presence. He always wore the silliest outfits and made an absolute fool of himself. Today, he wore a banana costume with his face painted yellow. Henry was in his early forties, but he had the heart of a teenager.

The crowd went wild as Henry rode into the arena on the back of his horse. He flapped his arms up and down to get the crowd to shout louder before making his way to the chute. I placed my hands on either side of my mouth and chanted his name with the rest of the spectators. My voice was going to be gone by the end of the night.

The chute doors opened with a bang, releasing Henry and the steer. He rode faster to catch up to the steer before leaning over and grasping the animal’s horns. When he made contact, the crowd hollered. Boone whistled next to me, the sound piercing the space. Henry held on for dear life, bringing the angry steer down on his back successfully.

“Hell yeah!” Penny shouted, standing up and clapping her hands.

I wasn’t the one trying to wrangle the steer, but just watching someone else do it made my adrenaline spike.

“Next up, we have, Buck! Everybody make some noise!” The announcer said over the speakers. The six of us stayed silent, not wanting to show that jackass any support. I knew seeing Buck tonight upset Boone. The fact this guy gets to live his life like nothing happened and Boone’s sister felt she had to leave a town she called home was beyond messed up. I wasn’t a violent person, but I hoped he fell flat on his face in front of all these people.

Buck came through the arena riding his stunning all-white horse. He waved and clapped for himself as he made a circle in the dirt before heading to the chute for his turn. I focused my mind, trying to curse him. I knew nothing about witchcraft; maybe this was when I discovered my abilities. “I’m hexing him in my mind right now,” I leaned over and whispered in Boone’s ear.

“Are you a witch? Will it work?” Boone whispered back.

“Maybe if I think hard enough.” I shrugged my shoulders.

The chute opened, the steer and Buck were let loose flanked by the guide horse. Buck rode to catch the steer, and when he leaned, he slipped right off the back of the horse, and his face hit the dirt.

“Shut up!” I screamed, standing to my feet and pointing at Buck on the ground.

Buck stood up and looked down at himself. “He fell right in shit.” I bent over, laughing hysterically. I couldn’t get myself under control. Boone stood too; he was laughing so hard tears were forming in his eyes.

“You are a witch,” he said between laughs. I held up my hand for him to high five, and he did, bringing me in for a hug afterwards.

When we separated, I looked back and saw four pairs of eyes staring at me. “What?” I asked.

Mac and Rhodes threw their hands up in surrender. Penny and Theo shared a look with each other before shaking their heads at me.

Most of the riders couldn’t get the steer onto its back. Buck didn’t come out at the end to bow with the rest of the participants, what a sore loser.

We exited with the crowd, making our way to the food trucks to find something to eat. In order to get there, we had to pass the games and activity section of the rodeo. There was a huge blow-up ring where a mechanical bull sat.

“Boone, you should go show that bull whose boss,” Mac said from behind, pointing towards the ring.

“No fucking way.” Boone shook his head, spinning to walk backward and talk to Mac.

“You should do it,” I said, egging him on. “I mean, unless you’re scared.” I held up my hands and wiggled my fingers.

Boone scoffed, stopping in place to look at the bull. “I’m not scared. I’m just not dressed for it.”

“Oh boohoo!” Penny said, “Just take the hat off and unbutton the shirt. You’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, Cowboy. Live up to your nickname,” I teased, winking at him.

Boone rolled his neck and grabbed my arm. “If I’m doing this, you gotta be front and center, so I have motivation.”

We left the rest of the group behind as Boone dragged me toward the mechanical bull. “Motivation?” I questioned.

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