Page 70 of Rough Ride with the Grumpy Cowboy
Knowing I cannot delay this any longer, I nod to signal that I am ready, and the bucking chute is opened. Titan storms out into the arena and my countdown begins. I silence all the noise around me as I concentrate on staying seated while this two-thousand-pound animal tries to buck me off.
Eight
This is against nature itself, dangerous beyond words, but I have never felt more alive.
Seven
I was born for this. I can do this.
Six
For myself. My family and my girl.
Five
Five years of overcoming my fear, training till I bled.
Four
This is it! There is no coming back from this.
Three
Two
One
The bell goes off and... I did it! I can’t believe that I actually did it! The crowd goes wild as I jump off the bull. While the bullfighters handle Titan, I take off across the arena with one destination in mind.
She already has her arms open wide for me as I jump over the barrier and pull her into my arms like my life depends on it.
“I am so proud of you,” she whispers when we pull apart, tears swimming in her eyes.
“I love you,” I confess, taking off my hat and placing it on her.
“And I love you more,” she cries harder, launching herself at me.
I guess I have no choice but to buy that ring now.
27
AVA
My fingers flow seamlessly over the last chords of a song I’ve poured my heart and soul into writing. I play the final chord with flawless ease and look up to find my audience of one in tears.
“El, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” I ask, reaching for the box of tissues and handing it to her.
She snatches it away from me with a glare. “What do you think? That was beautiful.”
I chuckle as I reach out to swipe away her tears with my thumb. “Thank you. You could have just said that—no need to be so dramatic.”
She slaps my hand away. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
“You’re the one who asked to listen to one of my new songs,” I retort.
“Yes, but why pick that specific song?” she scolds.
“I’m sorry. Nobody had heard it yet, and I wanted honest feedback.”
