Page 16 of Bull Riders Don't Swoon

He huffs a breath. “I notice you didn’t disagree with the stupidity part.”

Laughing, I shake my head. “Let’s call it poorly calculated risks instead.”

And just like that, we slip back into our usual roles, and everything is as it should be. Me pining for Jamieson and him remaining clueless.

six

Jamieson

Anew town, a new rodeo, and a sort-of new bar.

The honky tonk tunes have my fingers tapping against my jeans and the line dancers are on fire. Me, though? I’m drunk.

“So, where do you stay when you travel for a rodeo?”

Blinking to get my focus back on the cute blonde girl next to me, I bend closer. She’s super tiny. Or maybe I’m a giant. Either way, it’s a long way for words to travel, and I’m not sure how I even heard her question from way down there.

“My buddy and I usually have a camper and stay nearby. Sometimes we do hotels. Depends on our moods. He’s moody, but in a good way.” Some people don’t think that but I do. “Did you know he saved my life?”

Where is Griff, anyway?

“Wow, that’s incredible. I’m glad he saved you. How sad would it be if I didn’t meet you tonight?”

She bats her pretty eyelashes and rests her hand on my stomach. She does that a lot. I imagine it’s because she’s short. What else would she do with her hand?

“Right? I like to meet people, and I can’t do that if I’m dead.”

Unless I’m a ghost. But that might scare people to see a ghost. No, I definitely can’t meet people if I’m dead. I should ask Griff.

“Everything okay over here?”

“Griff!” Throwing my arm over his shoulder, I smile into his scowly face. He always looks constipated when we go out. I wonder if he eats enough fruit? “I was just telling,” motioning to the pretty girl whose name I don’t know, “this beautiful lady, that if I were a ghost, I couldn’t meet people.”

Griff’s gaze darts to the woman, and she smiles at him.

“Is that right?”

She nods, and her hand slips into my back pocket.

“Yeah. He’s full of all kinds of stories.” She sips her beer and stares up at me. “So, are you two at a hotel or your camper this time?”

What an odd thing to ask. We’re at a bar for fun. Our sleeping arrangements aren’t important.“Do you like sea shanties?”

“Uh, sure. Why?” The woman says, but I can tell she doesn’t know what I’m talking about. I need Griff.

“Griff!” I shout, but I already have my arm around him. “We need to sing, buddy!”

Griff’s scowl softens, and he shakes his head as he plucks the drink from my hand. He leans in close to my ear. “This girl clearly wants to hook up with you, Jamie. Do you want to?”

Griff’s breath is warm and tickly on my ear, and his hand rests on my forearm. He has nice hands. They’re thick and strong.

“Is it hot in here?” Where did all this sudden sweat come from? It’s like I’m wearing a wool sweater in the middle of July. Not that I’ve ever done that. If I did, I bet it feels like this.

“Are you feeling okay?” Griff’s hand tightens on my arm.

The pretty girl—what the hell is her name again?—squeezes my ass through my jeans pocket and blinks up at me. Right. Griff thinks she wants to hook up.

“Do you want to come home with me?” I blurt.

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