Page 38 of The Wildest Ride

Looking at his feet, she mumbled, “Saw DeRoy messing around over here earlier. Thought I’d let you know.”

AJ laughed, startling them both. “Don’t worry about him. Hank’s always up to something. He’s been up to something for eighteen years. It’s always harmless and always within the rules.”

She gave a curt nod and then turned and left without another word, and AJ found he was a little disappointed to realize that, despite the blush, there’d been no pretense or ulterior motive to her visit. She’d said her piece and left.

Without so much as a goodbye.

He shook his head, clicking his tongue at her back. Some people just didn’t prioritize manners.

And AJ had always heard how friendly people from Oklahoma were—just went to show you couldn’t believe everything you heard.

Alone again, he unwrapped the towel and slid on a pair of boxer briefs. Over those, a pair of dark wash blue jeans and a fitted bright red Western-style button up. He wore fancy shirts for promos and photoshoots but stuck to solid colors for events. He was the flash. His clothes merely accentuated it.

His belt was dark brown, as were his boots because his mama taught him right. His hat was plain brown leather and also simple. Again, he saved the artistry for the performance.

Finally, he chapped up and grabbed his rope.

It was time to go make some money for CityBoyz.

The RVs were parked in the employee parking lot of the arena, a key card–accessible section at the farthest edge of the farthest corner of the lot. They were also assigned a security guard. It was a funny thing to have an out-of-shape guy with a badge guarding fifty honed and grown men, but AJ figured that was the whole reality TV thing.

All the contestants were scheduled for a media day tomorrow, and the following day, the first skills challenge of the competition would take place. Each of the skills challenges was broadcast live as well as recorded for the internet audience, but otherwise performed in front of skeleton crews of media, site stage, greenies, and contestants. The goal of the skills challenges was to show that the Closed Circuit cowboys, unlike other rodeos, were made of more than just showing off in the arena. Closed Circuit challenges were meant to prove that the winning cowboy had the try: in the arena and out on the range, too.

The first set of challenges each took place in a rural town located somewhere along the tour route. When they were down to the final three, the Closed Circuit would announce the final surprise challenges, each based on the final three cowboys that were going through to the finale.

For this first challenge, though, they’d be roping wild mustangs in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

But that was for another day. Before that, and before tomorrow’s media day, was the wrestling and roping he was headed to.

The volume of the noise grew as AJ neared the arena. So did the size of the crowd.

There were more buckle bunnies around tonight than there had been in Houston, which was a surprise. Only the most serious buckle bunnies actually followed the rodeo. Most just made sure to be in attendance wearing their best when the rodeo came to town—a fact that AJ had greatly appreciated, coming of age as a rising rodeo star.

He’d appreciated it traveling around the world, too.

The Old Man had always been clear about how he felt about things, though, so he wouldn’t be sampling while he rode for CityBoyz. It was a commitment he would have made without The Old Man even having to ask, but because he had, AJ was doubly honor bound.

AJ pulled his hat lower as he made his way through the crowd. It was easier to navigate when his face wasn’t so obvious. Face obscured, men noticed him only enough to get out of the way. Women still noticed him for more than that, but they didn’t recognize him, and that made all the difference.

Near the gates, Lil Sorrow had somehow found three feet of space outside the box within which to pace, nerves written all over her. She wore another beaded ribbon vest. This one dark brown with three different shades of brown ribbon. Rather than an abstract pattern, the beading of this one created a picture of a buffalo standing against a sunset silhouette.

Once again, the thousands of beads caught the light—yellows, oranges, and reds making up the sun while different shades of brown and gold brought the buffalo to almost three-dimensional life. Every time Lil Sorrow turned in her pacing, the beads caught the light and flashed, possibly accounting for some of the space around her. If being the only woman on deck wasn’t enough, her vests set her apart.

Outside of her bubble, cowboys, VIPs, coaches, and fans pressed to be as close to the action as they could.

AJ stepped into her space.

She stopped midpace and looked up, her thick eyebrows drawn straight over her eyes.

“Scared?” he asked.

Her frown deepened, but there was a kick in her low voice when she spoke. “Just scared I might embarrass you. My folks taught me to respect my elders, and I just don’t know what to do when I beat you.”

AJ grinned lazily. “Nice comeback, but you’ve got to look less serious about it all.”

The corner of her lips lifted, just a little, and AJ was satisfied.

“Stop showing your feelings on your face, though,” AJ added, unable to help himself from giving advice. “They’ll use it against you.”

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