Page 54 of Buck This
Buck lifted his chin higher into the air, eyes unblinking and trained on Cobalt. There was a camera right by his face, and ooooh, Torrey smiled. Anyone watching this would see the fire in his expression right now. She couldn’t be any prouder of anyone. It wasn’t possible. Atta boy.
“You’re number one, right?” Buck asked. “You got bucked off yesterday, but you’re number one.”
“I got a re-ride yesterday! I rode out! The buck on you doesn’t count because you got a penalty,” Cobalt barked out. “My score is the highest! I am number one. That’s not just some numbers I made up. The circuit announced it. That’s the place I earned.”
Buck shrugged. “Prove it. Take the call-out. Ride my bull for eight seconds. Be number one.”
“I choose to draw,” Cobalt announced sternly.
What a coward. The crowd booed as he drew a chip out of the hat. Torrey could tell even the riders thought it was weak by the looks they exchanged with each other.
“Cobalt Blue will be riding Iron Will,” the announcer said.
Buck huffed a laugh and shook his head, then tossed a look at Torrey over his shoulder before he dragged his glare to Cobalt again. “Ride him out,” Buck barked. “I’ll see you at finals.” The rage in his eyes was infinite.
Buck This turned and offered his hand to Torrey.
From beside her, Reece said, “Torrey—”
“Don’t even try,” Torrey gritted out. “I don’t respect you enough to listen. Not anymore. What you and Cobalt did was so messed up.” She held her gaze a second more, and then made her way to Buck, slipped her hand into his and followed him offstage.
“Don’t you want to see who draws you?” the announcer asked.
“Doesn’t matter,” Buck called. A cameraman was following them. “Whoever draws me is a steppingstone.”
Oh shit. The crowd was going wild, and there were a bunch of people hanging over the edge of the opening to exit the arena. They had to walk beside of line of lingering flames to get to them, and Buck fist bumped a few of them before he led Torrey through.
“Dude, that was awesome,” Dead said through a grin as they met them near the loading chutes. “I thought Cobalt was going to piss his pants,” he said gleefully.
“Your T-shirts are sold out completely,” Quickdraw said. “Just so you know. The crowd is behind you.”
“Because of her,” Buck said, twitching his head toward Torrey. “That interview she did changed everything.”
Quickdraw gripped him by the back of the neck, then pulled him in for a rough hug, then shoved him back. “She got you back in here, now it’s your turn. Let’s go Change before the others get back here. I can buy you a few minutes with the Changing area. Keep the assholes out, yeah?”
“I don’t think I’ll need it.”
Quickdraw frowned. “Are you sure?”
“I can see him,” Buck This whispered, his heart in his eyes.
Oooh, Torrey’s chest ached, and she blinked back an instant burning sensation that filled her eyes.
“You can see who?” Quickdraw asked low.
“Teague.”
“Where?”
Buck This twitched his head toward a set of panels leaning up against a wall.
Quickdraw’s eyes darted to the empty area, then back to Buck. “What’s he saying?”
“Buck strong.”
Quickdraw nodded, eyes locked on Buck’s. “You ready?”
“I’m ready.”
