Page 4 of Destry

The practice arena already had movement and by the time I got there, a couple of the guys were already warming up. The air was thick with dust and the sound of hooves hitting hard-packed dirt.

“About time you decided to get to work,” Jace called from the fence with his arms draped over the top rail. “She shut you down, didn’t she?”

I ignored him, climbed up the chute, and carefully swung up onto the practice bull he had waiting, adjusting my grip on the rope. “You taking bets muthafucker?”

“Always.” He grinned. “You gonna last the full eight?”

I grunted. “Isn’t that the gotdamn point?”

Jace released a high pitched whistle that signaled the chute to open. The second the gate swung wide, the bull exploded forward, twisting and kicking like it had something to prove.

I leaned into the motion, gripping tightly, keeping my balance as the beast beneath me bucked and spun. The power in its muscles surged with every move while he tried to throw me off, but I stayed locked in and focused. This damn bull was not trying to take it easy on me.

Four seconds.

The dirt blurred as the bull twisted hard and jerked me sideways. I adjusted fast and shifted my weight forcing my legs to grip tighter.

Six seconds.

I felt the strain in my arms and pull in my core, but I held steady. The crowd, small as it was, cheered, but I barely heard them.

Eight seconds.

I released my grip and threw myself off just as the buzzer sounded. My boots hit the ground, knees bending to absorb the impact. The bull kicked once more before the wranglers moved in, directing it toward the holding pen.

I pulled off my glove and flexed my fingers, trying to steady my breath. Good ride. Could’ve been better.

Jace punched me in the shoulder as I walked toward the fence. “That was shit. Keep riding like that and you won’t fucking qualify.”

I grabbed my water bottle and took a long drink before replying. “You don’t need to worry about me qualifying. You need to worry about getting me a bull in the chute that can challenge me.”

“Don’t get cocky muthafucker.”

I shrugged. “Not cocky, just making a point?”

Jace laughed, shaking his head. “You gonna break her in?”

“Who?”

He gave me a look. “You know who.”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I wiped the sweat from my forehead and glanced toward the stables. I wanted to do more than just break her in and that was a first. The problem was she had no interest in entertaining me or my bullshit.

CHAPTER

THREE

Savvy.

I waited until the last trailer rolled out, the arena lights dimmed, and the voices faded into the distance. The night air was cooler now with the heat of the day finally giving way to a slight breeze. Most folks had gone home, including the ones who might ask questions if they caught me out here.

I moved quickly and remained quiet as I slipped into the stables. The horses stirred at my presence, but I was careful, making sure to soothe them with soft words and gentle hands. I already knew which one I was taking, Mirage. A black quarter horse with strong legs and natural instincts. He wasn’t a barrel racer by trade, but he was fast, and for now, that was enough.

I unlatched the stall and led him out. My pulse was steady as I moved through the shadows. The rodeo staff would lose their damn minds if they caught me but I wasn’t hurting the horse. In fact, he had been in the stables all day and could use a good ride.We both needed this but more than he did, I needed to feel what it was like to be out there.

I guided Mirage toward the small practice arena with my heart pounding as I adjusted the reins. The barrels were still set up from earlier. Three steel drums in a cloverleaf pattern were waiting.

I swung onto the saddle, settled in, and gripped the reins tightly. Mirage shifted beneath me, sensing my energy, and waited for the cue. I nudged him forward.

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