Page 18 of Rodeo Rivals
Turning toward him, she rolled her eyes at the sight of Seth Allen.
Wearing a plaid button-down tucked into his jeans, he looked generic. That was until her gaze found the far too big belt buckle—even for rodeo. What was he overcompensating for?
She glared in response.
He rocked his hips and bopped his head to the beat when he took a sip of his beer.
Why was he standing there ruining her good time? They didn’t get along. Clearly, he disliked her. So, why go out of his way to talk to her?
Lowering his plastic cup, he sighed. “You’re pretty impressive.”
She cocked her head to the side and braced herself for the “but” she knew was coming.
“Never thought I’d see the day where a woman could hold her own in the arena.”
“I’m not the first,” she retorted.
He shrugged.
What was he even doing?
“Why’d you do it?” he asked.
“Do what?” she balked.
He waved his free hand. “Rough stock. What was wrong with barrel racing, breakaway roping, or team roping?” He glanced around. “I mean, not to be insulting, but I understand why you aren’t going for Rodeo Queen.”
“Excuse me?”
He held up a hand, palm toward her, in a defensive pose. “I’m just saying. You’re not all girly with the fake lashes and makeup—”
“Are your parents related?” She popped out her hip and planted her hand squarely on it. This idiot didnotjust insinuate she was ugly.
Stunned, he stepped back. “What?”
“Well, I’m assuming what you were getting at was that I’m notgirlyenough to be Rodeo Queen.” Her gaze swept him up and down. “If I’m so masculine, why are you trying to take me home?”
He snorted. “You think way too highly of yourself. I was just talking.”
“Yeah, well, if only you’d spoken less, we could have avoided all of this.”
“What crawled up your ass? I’m being friendly.”
Now it was her turn to chortle. There was nothingfriendlyin what he said. “I’m having a hard time imagining people who want to be around you.”
“You’re a real bitch. You know that?” he sneered.
She grinned. “Calm down, pumpkin. Me declining your advances is no reason to have a mantrum.”
“If brains were leather, you wouldn’t be able to saddle a horsefly,” he muttered as he turned away from her.
“It was unpleasant talking to you, Seth,” she called out loud enough for the people around to hear as she lifted on her toes and waved exaggeratedly at his fleeing back.
Of course, he didn’t acknowledge her, but she knew he heard her. There’d been a break between songs. He’d have to have been deaf not to.
“Prick,” she muttered to herself as she got back on flat feet.
“I thought you were impressive in the arena, but now I have a whole new respect for you,” Wyatt said, appearing out of nowhere.
