Page 62 of Stick Around,
Kellan had already accepted a stick horse from one of the kids, and he pranced in place, earning squeals of delight.
“I can’t believe this is happening.” Enzo trudged forward like a man walking to his execution.
I put Walter down and followed, smirking as Quinn handed Enzo a stick horse that had purple ribbons and feathers all over it. His expression was a priceless mixture of resignation and disbelief.
She handed me a horse, her eyes bright with amusement. “Ready to see what these cowboys can do?”
The kids formed a semicircle around us, their eyes wide with anticipation. Enzo closed his eyes briefly, as if saying a silent prayer for death to take him quickly.
“Mr. Reid goes first!” A little boy pointed at me with the enthusiasm only a five-year-old could muster.
Five pairs of expectant eyes stared up at me. Behind them, Quinn’s eyes sparkled with mischief. I’d faced down angry bulls with less trepidation than I felt in this moment.
I started a slow trot around the arena, rising and lowering with each step to mimic a real rider’s rhythm. The kids immediately erupted in giggles.
“Faster!” one of the little girls yelled.
I picked up my pace, adding a bit more bounce. Walter followed, clearly thinking this was some new game invented just for him.
“That’s it!” Quinn clapped in rhythm to the music that had started to play over the speaker. “Giddy up, cowboy!”
I shot her a look that promised payback, then broke into an exaggerated trot, rising and lowering with each step like some deranged rodeo ballerina. The kids went wild.
As I came to a stop in front of my new fan club, a little girl with a unicorn shirt tugged on Enzo’s arm. “Your turn, Mr. Purple Horse!”
Enzo looked like he might spontaneously combust from embarrassment. He took a deep breath, visibly steeled himself, and began the stiffest trot I’d ever witnessed. His face remained completely expressionless as he moved around the arena, the horse bobbing mechanically between his legs.
Kellan doubled over laughing. “Man, you look like you’ve got a stick up your—” My sharp elbow to his ribs cut him off mid-sentence.
Quinn covered her mouth, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. “Mr. Enzo, can you show us your gallop?”
The look Enzo shot her could have curdled milk. Nevertheless, he transitioned into what might generously be called a gallop, though it looked more like he was being electrocuted mid-hop. For a man who was good at dancing, he was not skilled with a stick.
“My turn!” Kellan twirled past Enzo on his horse in an elaborate flourish and launched into a full performance like he’d rehearsed this a dozen times already. His complete lack ofself-consciousness was almost admirable. The kids followed his every move.
“Now for the grand finale,” Quinn announced. “Cowboys, line up for a jumping competition!”
Enzo’s head snapped up. “A what now?”
The children screamed their approval, jumping up and down as Quinn moved a small hurdle into the center.
Kellan immediately stepped forward. “I’ll go first!”
He backed up several paces, giving himself a runway. With dramatic flair, he charged the jump, leaped over it with impressive height, and landed with a victorious whoop.
Enzo muttered something that I was glad the children couldn’t hear as he lined up with the jump, took a deep breath, and executed a perfectly commendable hop over the obstacle.
The kids applauded politely, and I got the distinct impression they were underwhelmed.
I squared my shoulders. If I was going to be humiliated, I might as well commit fully. Taking several steps back, I charged the jump. At the last second, Walter darted directly into my path. I swerved to avoid trampling him and caught the edge of the hurdle with my foot.
I flailed and stumbled forward, miraculously staying on my feet. I raised my horse in triumph as the kids cheered.
Parents began arriving shortly after, collecting their glitter-covered offspring who chattered excitedly about the cowboy show. Each child left with their hobby horse, proud creations that would undoubtedly spread glitter to every corner of their homes.
As the last family departed, Quinn turned to us, her smile wide and unapologetic. “That was amazing! The kids had so much fun!”
Enzo brushed glitter from his shirt, a futile effort. “I hope you enjoyed yourself.”
