Page 27 of Bull Riders Don't Swoon

Trusting Griff to feed me, I follow the signs to the washroom and take care of business. On my way out, I pause at a community bulletin board when a rainbow-coloured flyer catches my eye.

“No way.”

Snapping a photo, I hustle out to find Griff holding two bags of goods waiting by the door.

“I didn’t buy you ice cream, but the guy says the best place is a little shack as we drive out of town on the left. It’s called The Cream Queen.”

“It is not.” I laugh.

Griff snorts as we leave the gas station. “It sure is. It’s only five minutes away, so you can get your ice cream. I think I have you covered for snacks for a few hours, too.”

“So, look at this.” I pull up the screen on my phone and show it to Griff. “The town we’re going to is having their Pride Festival right now! It’ll be like old times. We can take in all the events and relive our youth.”

Griff reads the poster I saved in my photos, and it’s impossible to ignore the happiness that spreads across his face.

“Oh my god. They have so much stuff! I haven’t been to a Pride event in years.” He passes back my phone with a giant smile. “And we’re still young, you asshole. So stop with the ‘relive our youth’ shit.”

“Well, you’re the one wearing a fanny pack, old man.”

Griff gasps and clutches at his pack. “You take that back! This thing is amazing!”

“If you pull white socks up to your knees while wearing shorts, I’ll call for an intervention.”

I try to keep my face straight, but can’t, and we both burst out laughing as we pile back into the truck. Griff is the most relaxed I’ve seen him. Even with the broken arm and scare we had a few days ago, he’s not looked this carefree since we first met.

“I’m really happy you agreed to do this vacation with me, Griff. It means a lot. I’m so excited to just be a tourist in this little town and not worry about bulls or training for a few days.”

Griff rips open a package of Twizzlers and offers me two. “Or your diet? Because we’ve done nothing but eat since we left the hospital.”

“Fuck the diet. I’m sure we’ll be working off all my extra calories. Besides, my metabolism still hasn’t slowed down yet. My body thinks I’m still a fourteen-year-old boy.”

“That tracks. Most days, you still act like one.”

Griff chuckles and tries to squish up against the door as I stretch across and push his face into the window.

“Ow, ow! My arm!”

Immediately, I sit back and pull away with both hands on the wheel and look for a place to pull over.

“Shit. I’m so sorry, Griff. Are you okay? I didn’t mean to…I was just…”

Then the little shit laughs and I shoot him a glare.

“You faker. Don’t do that. I nearly shit because I thought I hurt you.”

Spotting the sign for the ice cream place, I put my signal light on and glare at Griff.

“Sorry, Jamie. I was just playing.”

After pulling into the parking lot, I shove the truck into park and release a breath.

“Sorry. I snapped because…because I just don’t want you to hurt. You’ve already done enough of that. Please don’t joke about it.”

Griff stares at me for a few beats before holding out his good hand. “Restart. I won’t do that again, and you won’t tease me about my fanny pack.”

“And you’re buying me ice cream.”

My hand grips his, and we shake on it. The balance of the world restored that easily.

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