Page 106 of Ace of Spades
“Weston,” I scoff.
His lips meet mine once more in a tender kiss.
“Of course I love you. You’re my Ace of Spades.”
EPILOGUE
WESTON
THREE MONTHS LATER
“I’m standing here with Weston Langford from Cedar Creek, Montana, celebrating his now third championship win—Weston, how does it feel to remain defending bronc riding champion?”
I turn to the camera, flashing a bright smile as I speak into the rodeo reporter’s mic.
“It feels amazing, Leslie. There’s nothing that compares to the rush.”
“And you had a tough draw—Devil’s Ticket, son of Widowmaker—how did you feel when you drew the bronc?”
I look past Leslie to the group forming around us, my eyes roaming until I spot a set of amber ones. Haileysmiles at me, her eyes gleaming with pride, her pale yellow button-down tucked into her jeans, with her new trophy buckle catching the arena lights.
“I’m not gonna lie to you, Leslie—I was just a tad bit nervous. Sure, I knew he was bound to get me a decent score if I managed to hang on, but I also wanted to make sure I walked out of here in one piece.”
“I gotta say,” the blonde reporter asks, her perfectly tailored blouse and felt hat free of dirt. “I remember interviewing you for your last two wins, and I don’t recall ever hearing you admit to being nervous. Why now?”
“Well, I got someone waiting for me at home now.”
I find Hailey with my eyes, offering her a wink that causes a bright flush to bloom across her cheeks. The reporter follows my gaze, a knowing smile pulling at her painted lips.
“Well, Weston—congratulations again on your three-peat. It was a wild ride, one that I’m sure not many bronc riders would have been able to stick. How do you plan to celebrate?”
A smirk pulls at my lips as I walk over to my friends, my chaps brushing through the dirt. The camera follows me as I stride right up to Hailey and scoop her up in my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist as she throws her arms around my shoulders. The group cheers as I plant a kiss on her lips, one of my arms roaming up to grab her by the nape, deepening the kiss for the world to see.
“I see,” Leslie laughs into the mic as I break the kiss.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” I tell the camera. “Hailey Sorrels—Rookie of the year, women’s all-around champion, and the best damn cowgirl to step foot in this arena.”
“Congratulations to you both,” Leslie smiles, panning back to the camera. “Now that’s one talented couple right there.”
She continues reporting as I turn my attention back to my girlfriend, re-adjusting her cowboy hat as I meet her eyes.
“You won, baby,” she tells me, her voice cracking as her eyes water.
“I sure did,” I tell her, bringing my lips back to hers. “In more ways than one.”
“I love you,” she whispers as our friends rush us, Leslie moving on to interview some more competitors.
“I love you too, Sorrels.”
More than you know.
Watching Hailey win earlier tonight had been amazing. The highlight of my night, though? Watching the pure joy in her eyes as she realized just how many people she had in her corner. Everyone had come to watch—with the exception of Mike and Rhonda, who had stayed back at the ranch to handle operations. Even though they hadn’t been able to make it, they had insisted on Dakota video-calling them during Hailey’s run, and then had equally celebrated and chastised my sister for how much she had yelled and jumped up and down as Hailey competed.
Her mom had cried. I doubted she’d ever say it out loud, too put together to admit her emotions. But I had seen it with my own eyes—Lenora Sorrels had not only shown up for her daughter, but she had shed tears of joy as Hailey had broken the arena record in barrels.
We’d all been there for her—her mom, Dakota, Chance, Rafe, Beau, Chelsea, Debbie, and my mother. Every single one of us had cheered at the top of our lungs, swarming her and Casino as soon as we were able to get to them. The tears in her eyes had saidit all—she had finally accepted the love. She was happy, I was proud, and I wouldn’t have traded any of it for the world.
“My big brother is a three-time world champion!” Dakota practically screams, turning heads around us as she slams her small body into mine, her arms wrapping around my waist.
