Page 159 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
It’s hard to tell anymore. He used to be a miserable, smug prick.
For years.
I understood that side of my brother. It’s a crapshoot now—smugness or sincerity, and I’m never sure which I’m dealing with.
That’s likely a me problem, considering my talent seems to be finding the worst in people.
Either way, it rubs me the wrong way. He rubs me the wrong way, and I know it has everything to do with the stark realization that Jade kept the portable CD player. All these years, into her adulthood. And she’d listened to it. My heart breaks for her, and the stark reality that I did that to her reminds me why I don’t deserve her, why I shouldn’t take her sister’s advice and talk to her. So, I don’t. I stay silent, but it’s so bloody painful.
“It’s alright, big guy.” Bronx’s heavy hand drops on my shoulder.
His fingers press into my skin—too firm to be accidental.
I stiffen.
If my eyes could speak, they’d spit venom at him.
“I’ll ride double for both of us.” He’s standing now, chest out, like this is a contest, and he’s hell-bent on coming out on top.
Or on top of Jade.
Or under her.
Why the fuck did she choose him?
I take another swig of my beer, hoping the alcohol will numb the throbbing in my crotch and my brain.
It doesn’t.
“Sit down.” Josie tosses a handful of peanuts at him. “No one wants to see you break your old man bones.”
Bronx cracks his knuckles like a loaded gun, eyes locked on the bull.
“Don’t worry about me, kid. I’ve been around long enough to handle myself.”
“I’m not worried.” She crosses her legs on the stool and sips her drink slowly with a straw.
“I can ride out a rough patch and come out on top.” He rolls his shoulders, loosening up like a rodeo pro about to compete.
“Gross.”
I agree with Josie.
It doesn’t stop Bronx from mounting that machine and making a complete ass of himself. And by ass, I mean he’s a damn pro on that bull.
He grips the saddle with one hand and throws his other arm high into the air, saluting. “Hope y’all brought your cameras. This ride’s worth savin’.”
“Sure, ‘cause folks’ll wanna remember what not to do.” Josie roasts him like she’s on my team.
I’ve never appreciated her more.
The bull jerks sideways, and he leans with it, laughing.
He lets out a loud “Yee-haw!” just as the bull bucks hard enough to jolt most people off.
“I’ve danced with tornadoes calmer than this.”
“I’d love to see you tango with a tornado.” Josie sets her almost full glass on the table. “Bet it’d end in a pile of rubble.”
