Page 93 of From the Ashes
“You sure you’re over it? If I agree to keep my company on Walker’s vest, it means we’re gonna face one helluva media shitstorm. I need to know I’m not putting myself, my employees, and my company on the line for something that’s going to either fizzle out or start a fire of revenge in your belly so big it takes us all out.”
“I understand, sir,” I reply. I also understand that Mack isn’t demanding an explanation, just confirmation that we’ve thought this through. It’s because heisn’tpushing—and because I respect him—I choose to offer an explanation anyway. “At first, I blamed Walker for my career being over, but I’ve come to learn my anger was less about the end of my career and more about the end of a relationship we never got to start in the first place.”
The realization slams into me like a runaway eighteen-wheeler that never tapped the brakes. Walker’s words replay instantly in my mind.But waking up every day, winning some new title or championship, doing a sport I love, would mean nothing if it means losing you again.
I’ll be fucking damned.
I knew eight years ago I’d never find what he and I shared on that barn floor ever again. It wasn’t just that my feelings were hurt from his indifference, it was that I knew I’d just suffered the greatest loss of my life.Walker, not my career, was my biggest loss.
As my epiphany takes hold, I realize Mack is still staring at me, presumably, waiting for me to finish, so I do.
“As two active bronc riders, and the circuit’s biggest rivals, we never would have worked back then, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t want to try. I spent years trying to hate Walker, but it took less than a week of being back in his presence to realize love and hate are actually two sides of the same coin.” Turning to face Walker, I add, “Turns out sometimes the only thing thatcan put us back together is the thing that broke us in the first place.It wasn’t Walker, himself, that broke me and cost me that ride. It was the threat of his absence in my life. Now that he’s back, I’m whole again.”
Walker squeezes my hand once more and we both turn to face Mack. The rest of Walker’s sponsors will most likely take their cues from this CEO. If he walks, so will everyone else.
Mack blows out a breath. “Well said, Harding. We’ll need to get out in front of this then. You’ll both meet with the company’s PR team—thankfully they’re here taking pictures and doing interviews for our social media platforms. You can choose how much to share, but you let them tell you how to word it, got that?”
“So, you don’t care that I’m dating a man?” Walker asks in disbelief.
“I care more that you’re dating yourcoach, but this sport doesn’t have any rules against it. Besides, I doubt my daughter or her wife would be too pleased if I used that personal matter against you. Between you and me, most days, I like my daughter-in-law more so I’m in no rush to get on her bad side. And for the sake of brutal honesty, Phoenix will draw a decent crowd himself, so you two pairing up is about to make me a lot of money.”
Mack laughs a good-natured laugh, and I feel Walker relax beside me.
“A toast!” Mack says, holding up the last sip of his whiskey. Once Walker and I have our cans held in the air, Mack says, “To finding love and fuckin’ who you want.”
I choke on my spit as Walker slaps me on the back and yells, “Here, here!”
Chapter 39
Walker
Ihate PR events, but it’s part of the business. Phoenix always kicked ass at these things. Hell, all he had to do was smile and everyone went fucking ape shit. Before the God-awful meet and greet, LXR wants me to do an Instagram live segment. Kenna, LXR’s head of PR, preps me as best she can in ten minutes.
I asked if Phoenix could do the dumb thing with me, but my request was declined.
This is to give your fans the access to you they’ve been missing since your injury. We don’t want the focus on Phoenix right now,I’d been told.
“I’m here live at the Cheyenne rodeo and look who I found! Walker, the rodeo community has been worried about you since you took that fall in Raleigh. Can you tell us how your recovery is going?”
“It’s moving along. I’m getting back in the saddle and building the strength I need to pick up where I left off come next season’s opener.” I avoid eye contact with the camera and flit my gaze between my interviewer and Phoenix. Picking upthat I’m getting through this by basically only talking to him, he moves to stand directly behind the shoulder of the cameraman.
Slick bastard. But hey, at least it’ll look like I’m talking to those watching.
“What’s your plan for next season? Will you be making any modifications during the off-season?” Kenna asks.
This part we’d talked about. She’s giving me easy opportunities to work Phoenix into the interview. I’m both ready for this and terrified at the same time. The good thing is that most of my competition is competing as we speak, so they won’t have a chance to see this interview until after we’ve left town…and that’s only if they follow LXR.
“Well, to start, I’ve gotten a new coach. I’m excited to announce I’ll be training under Phoenix Harding.”
“ThePhoenix Harding?” I feel Kenna’s eyes boring into my head. She reaches forward and gives my hand a squeeze because only our shoulders and heads are in the frame. I’m sure she’d say something encouraging if she could, but we both have mics attached to the collars of our shirts and since we’re live, there’s no editing.
“One and the same.” I force a tight smile.
“He’s been pretty elusive since his injury. How were you able to convince him to come back to the rodeo scene as your coach? If I remember correctly, you two were pretty big rivals back in the day.”
My heart is galloping in my chest. Hell, my microphone is probably picking the sound up and broadcasting my nerves to whoever is watching. Over the camera guy’s shoulder, I see Phoenix mouthI love you,and it’s exactly what I need to push ahead.
“Well, uh, actually, we ran into each other after the rodeo in Raleigh and reconnected. The past has a funny way of catching back up to you. He needed help on his farm, and well,I needed something to do for three months. We’ve gotten to know each other pretty well and I was in the market for a coach. He remains the best rider I’ve ever seen, and I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask.” I know we’re getting closer tothequestion, and my cheeks heat.
