Page 2 of Titus

When he walks toward the store, I check the polo wraps on Phoenix’s legs. Traveling isn’t the best for horses so I do everything to keep her straight: leg wraps for swelling, hay in the trailer for digestion, and water and apples at each stop. As I check her legs, I shake my head at myself, thinking about my life now. If anyone would have told me when I was on lock that I would be a cowboy, tending to a horse, and traveling the season, earning serious money by running down cattle and tying it up, I would have cursed that nigga out. But look at me, I’m a gotdamn cowboy and I love this shit.

CHAPTER

TWO

Quinn Jaxson

For the next two weeks, I’m in Jaxson Boots mode. Rodeo season is a big aspect of my family’s business. We sell quality boots, belts, and cowboy hats and for more than thirty-five years, Jaxson Boots has proudly supported the Black Western way of life. Whether it’s sponsoring local ranch rodeos or big-time events like this Millers Pointe Livestock & Rodeo, we’re committed to furthering Black cowboy values and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

My father founded Team Jaxson Boots ten years ago to help grow rodeo by directly supporting the new talent pool of athletes. Every year, athletes are carefully selected to represent Jaxson Boots on and off the dirt. Selection is a tedious process. Their rodeo accolades aren’t the only consideration, but also their leadership skills, character, and community involvement.Not only are we sponsoring them but they are representing us and our brand.

As the new Director of Branding, I’m responsible for the recruiting and oversight for all things Team Jaxson Boots. Our goal is to have twenty-five athletes and I’ve already acquired eleven for the team. I’m hoping to leave this rodeo with another five. The competitions are the biggest part of my recruitment, but the barbecue kickoff tonight will be my first impression of many of them. That’s why my car is loaded with sponsorship packets and Jaxson Boots merch and I’m flying down I-90 to the Phoxes Den in Millers Pointe. It’s about an hour and a half from my home in Crescent Falls and I need to check in and get ready for tonight.

Thankfully, I’m not alone. My homegirl, Taarini, is going to spend the first week with me. She’s a second grade teacher on spring break and she jumped at the chance to join me because she loves rodeo season. Her favorite event is tie-down roping. I need her too because she knows more about the rodeo than me.

Admittedly, I don’t follow the competitions like I should and this is my first time immersing myself in rodeo season. Because we are one of the biggest sellers of cowboy boots and sponsor many event competitors, I’ve attended a few over the years, but my main contribution to the business has primarily been in the office. My father has been the face at the events, until now. The torch has been passed and it’s my time to keep Jaxson Boots in the minds and hearts of the cowboys and cowgirls.

“Lana Mitchell?” Rini asks, continuing to quiz me on potential team members.

“Barrel Racing? Ranked twenty-five?” I ask, a little uncertain.

“Yes, but ranked twenty-four. The rankings matter. They take pride in their standings.”

She lifts the eight by eleven picture of Lana and I quickly glance over at it. I’m trying to put faces with the names. These athletes like it when people know and recognize them. I want my first interactions with them to go over well, knowing their faces and rankings will definitely help.

“Bobby Brighton?

“Bull rider. Ranked thirteen. From Odessa, Texas,” I say with certainty. I’m good with most of the bull riding candidates. She raises his picture and I glance at it just for sight recognition.

“Okay!” she says, impressed. “What about Destry Callahan?”

“Easy. Bull rider. Number five in the nation. Predicted to take the national champion title this year. Millers Pointe’s golden boy.”

“Damn, friend. You nailed him. Do you need the picture?”

“Girl no. I know who he is. He’s the one recruit my dad insisted on. The rest are my call but he wants Destry. The Callahans practically own Millers Pointe. I’m running to him first tonight at the barbecue.”

“You’ll get him. Who doesn’t want Jaxson Boots’ logo on their shirt,” she says. As usual, she’s my hype woman and I love her crazy ass for that. She flips through the stack of folders then says with her extra flare, “Titus Cole!”

“Tie-down roping. Ranked nineteen?”

“Yes, but eighteen. But listen, I need you to really look atthispicture,” she stresses.

When I turn to see the picture, my damn mouth practically drools. Titus Cole is fine as hell. Chocolate goodness wrapped in jeans and a dark blue competition shirt. The tilt of his indigo cowboy hat on his head somehow angles his handsome face for the perfect view of his captivating eyes. He’s staring down at the roped calf in the picture. Sexy barely describes this man. While admiring him for probably too damn long, something happensand I hear a loud ass pop sound. I briefly lose control of my car and it skids to the left.

“Shit!” we both exclaim.

I grip the steering wheel and maneuver us to the right lane. “What was that!” I yell but my answer becomes loud and clear. My tire monitoring light comes on, followed by a low-pressure warning for my back passenger tire. Seconds later, my car slows and a loud thumping sound can be heard. “This can’t be happening.”

Rini lets her window down then looks out. “Your tire definitely blew out, sis. It’s bad. You have to pull over.”

“I am,” I admit.

After I press the button for my hazards, I ease over to the edge of the right lane then coast to the exit. I pray all the way to the gas station right off the exit. We just got on the road fifteen minutes ago. This is definitely not supposed to be happening.

“You got Triple A, right?”

“No. BMW has its own roadside assistance but I don’t need it. I can change a flat. As long as the rim isn’t bent or damaged, I can handle that.”

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