Page 12 of Bull Riders Don't Swoon

He still hasn’t packed for our first rodeo trip of the year. Since there’s still time before we absolutely have to leave, I might as well eat while I wait. Opening the cupboards, I find a box of Ritz Crackers instead and tear into them.

Griff exits his bedroom and drops an oversized duffle bag on the floor with a sigh.

“Are you ever not hungry?”

That’s a valid question. “I’m gonna say no.”

He grins with a shake of his head. The bruising on his face is now yellowish and doesn’t look quite so painful. It’s amazing the difference a week makes.

“I think I’m almost ready. Just let me change and have a look in the bathroom again.”

“Griff, I swear, you’re just as bad as Kara sometimes. If you forget something, we’ll buy it. And it’s only for four days.”

His voice carries down the hall in his small apartment. “I know. But you know how I am.”

I sure do. I know he’s going through every single drawer and cabinet in his bathroom right now, ‘just in case.’ I’ve mentioned before that we can just buy what we forget, but he always brushes it off.

He finally returns and shoves a hairbrush into his already over-stuffed duffle.

“A brush?”

He shrugs and passes a hand over his short hair. “I might need it.”

Setting the crackers beside me, I stand and open my arms. “C’mere.”

Griff wraps his arms around my waist and squeezes me back. I wasn’t always such a touchy person. But after Griff put himself in front of a bull for me at university, I couldn’t help it. It’s like an urge to always let him know I appreciate him, because what if next time we aren’t so lucky? Thankfully, Griff doesn’t mind me always hugging and touching him.

He rests his head against my chest, and I breathe in his lemon-soap scent. I wonder if we could find lemon meringue pie on the drive?

“Sorry. I’m just all over the place, and I need to get it together.”

“You will, Griff. You’re human.”

He pushes away from me and clears his throat. He opens his mouth but then closes it before huffing a breath and turning down the hall. “Right. Let me get changed, and we can finally get going.”

My best friend disappears into his room again and closes the door while I collapse on the sofa with the box of crackers.

The cushions crinkle, and I stand up to move the pile of papers I fell on. A familiar university logo sits on top, and before I can stop myself, I’m reading.

“We are pleased to offer you a position in the masters program beginning August 15th. Please return your answer by May 23rd with a deposit.”

What the hell? He’s doing his masters and didn’t tell me?

Pushing aside the questions I want to ask, I flip the paper over and shove it back before sitting back down with my crackers.

Today is May 23rd, but we’re heading out to begin our rodeo circuit together.

“I think I’m ready, Jamie,” Griff calls as he walks back into his living room. “Let’s get this started, eh?”

He’s my Griff. Happy and surly all rolled into one, and he’s never kept secrets from me. At least I think he hasn’t. He told me about the date, who was a bit too physical, and that he was going to break up with him. Which was a relief because he sounded like a Class-A asshole. I still think he should have pressed charges.

But this? He might leave, and he’s staying quiet?

“Everything, okay?”

Griff’s hand touches my shoulder, and I jump up.

“Sorry, I zoned out.” He smiles again and motions to the cracker box. “Bring those along and we’ll stop for a burger at the truck stop you like.”

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