Page 83 of Fool for You
“Please tell me you saw that?” I asked, my body still shaking.
“Saw it? Quinn, you didn’t hear me?” He arched his back slightly, raising one eyebrow as that stupid cocky smirk took over his face.
Hear him? Wait…
“What?” I giggled, putting the pieces together before he had to say anything.
“Hawkins let me announce your ride.” He tilted his head, biting his lower lip.
“Barrel racing’s princess?” I smacked his shoulder.
“I knew that would get you.” The cocky smile that appeared sent my pulse racing. This…man…
I grabbed hold of his neck, his arms steady on me, creating a small seat, and with one hand, I slapped his shoulder. He laughed, tossing his head back.
“You announced my ride, and the best thing you could say was that I’m your barrel racing princess.”
“As much as I want you to be my princess—you’re everyone’s princess, Quinn.”
If there were any time to kiss him, it would be this moment, right here. I could make it real. I could fall in love with him. I could—
“Come on.” He chuckled, setting me down on my feet. “Let’s get Charming settled and then watch the bulls. Yeah?”
I took a breath, a small ping of disappointment calming the emotions that just kept building. “Yeah.”
I reached for Charming’s reins, and the routine of taking off his saddle and getting him comfortable turned natural. We worked in tandem, stealing little glances at each other. I thought about what I could say to him, tell him that maybe I was wrong—maybe there was something more here, and I was just too afraid to admit it. Maybe, just maybe, we could be more. Maybe I could hear him out. The one thing that didn’t pass my mind was my mother and the way she lingered near the trailer. I could feel her there, sensing her eyes on me, but it didn’t matter. What really mattered was my smile when I talked to the reporter about my time, how even she was impressed, and how the world would be watching me. My cheeks flushed when I saw Wyatt’s reaction to that statement, and then when his hand slipped in mine as he pulled me to the stands where we watched the bulls,hewas the only thing that mattered.
“Dear God.” I leaned up against the trailer after the rodeo was over. We never really stayed this long after; we normally went to settle my horse after my event, but tonight we stayed. My legs were killing me, my eyes were heavy, and I still wanted to kiss Wyatt. “I have never been this tired after a rodeo.” I took my hat off, closed my eyes, and hit my head against the metal of the trailer, the thunk echoing. “Ow…” I grumbled.
“Never? Not even after that one weekend where you booked two rides in a row?”
“We won’t talk about that night.” I opened my eyes and looked at him. He had his hands shoved in his pockets, his stance wide, his stupid ball cap back on his head, and his blond hair sticking out in all directions. “But yes—even this night takes the cake. I can’t wait to get back to the hotel and watch a show and just…pass out.”
Aftertalking to you, of course.
“You’ll be back in the hotel in no time.”
“Hartwell! You coming?” Hawkins came running up to Wyatt’s side, knocking his ball cap off his head. “Need a ride?”
Wyatt laughed, twisting his torso to watch as his friend bounced on his heels, obviously still pumped with the same energy he used to announce the bull riders.
“Yeah, sure. Let me just make sure Quinn’s good. Whose truck?” Wyatt asked, bending to pick up his hat.
“Mine—the red Ford parked in E lot.”
Wyatt waved at him before turning back to me, taking a deep breath.
“You’re…” I stammered. “Going out tonight?”
“Yeah, Sam’s in town for the night.” He smiled, not even phased by the fact that I just turned into stone.
“But…” I swallowed, stopping myself before I could becomethatperson already. “Just…” I paused again, looking into his eyes. They were telling me something. There was definitely a message there. A silent request for permission, making sure I was alright before he took off? It wasn’t like hehadto watch a show with me. He wasn’t required to sleep next to me and listen to anything I wanted to say. We were friends. Friends didn’t make friends hang out with them.
I inhaled and gave him the best smile I could muster. “Don’t make any bets with any girls, okay?”
Dropping his chin, he shook his head, his laugh rumbling through his entire body. He took a step towards me and kissed my cheek. “That’s an easy promise. I may not be chasing anymore, but…” He heaved a sigh. “No bets. I’ll see you in the morning? We’re just going to Pure Country Canteen, you know, the authentic honky tonk.” He waggled his head, and I just smiled at him. “I won’t be out long.”
I nodded, biting the inside of my bottom lip before I begged him to stay. He took a step back, banged on the back of the trailer, then left.
