Page 109 of Rough Ride

Johnny

I had intended to take a dive.

I’d intended tolose.

Eli’s performance proved the match was rigged. No matter how well we did, the judges weren’t going to let us get a score higher than Appleton’s. There was no reasonnotto take a dive and accept Salmon’s offer. At least that way, I would walk away with something to show for my troubles.

I knew all of that logically.

But when I looked up at Sophie in the crowd, I realized I couldn’t do it.

That wasn’t who I was.

If a man sacrificed his principles, then what was left?

I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. And if I couldn’t, then how could someone else?

How could Sophie?

As that beautiful, perfect woman stared down at me, I knew what kind of man I wanted to be. A zen-like trance came overme. A calmness that came from being absolutely certain about my path forward, having flawless clarity about my life.

I was one with the bull between my thighs, our motions as synchronized as two dancers who had years of practice.

I barely remembered the ride itself. It was the closest thing I’d ever come to an out-of-body experience.

And then I won.

The score surprised me. I was still expecting to have victory ripped away from me by the corrupt judges, given second or third place, or maybe even given a bogus disqualification.

But the score remained.

And the crowdcompletelylost its shit.

I stood in the center of all the chaos, breathing it in—the boots stomping, voices hollering, the sharp clang of the announcer’s microphone cutting through the roar to announce the final scores. The energy rolled over me like a wave, thick with sweat, dirt, and adrenaline, and for a few perfect seconds I soaked it up. My chest rose and fell, the burn in my muscles a sweet reminder that I’d given everything, and not only had it been the right thing to do—it was enough towin.

First place.

Champion.

I tipped my hat to the crowd, grinning as they screamed louder, but my eyes were searching for her. ForSophie. Because the win didn’t mean a damn thing without her to share it.

And when we came together, I felt all the stress of the world disappear. Winning and losing didn’t matter, so long as I had someone like her in my life.

No. Not someonelikeher.

I wantedher.

“You did it,” she kept whispering, tears running down her cheeks. “I can’t believe you did it!”

“Me neither,” I said, brushing a tear away with my thumb.

She sniffled, then looked over my shoulder. “They’re waving at you. I think you need to leave.”

“I have to go underneath to sign the score,” I said, “then they’ll call us all out for the award ceremony. Celebrate at Billy Bob’s later?”

She grinned. “I’ll go shot for shot with you. Withrealwhiskey this time.”

I brushed my lips against hers, then tore myself out of her embrace. The crowd cheered for me as I jogged across the arena, and I gave them a final wave of my hat before disappearing down underneath the arena.

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