Page 68 of Toxic

He shifts in his seat and takes a swig of his whiskey then taps his fingers on the glass for several moments. He finally turns back toward me. "When are you going to get over the past, Bridge? I was an idiot in high school."

My chest tightens at the mention of years ago. A clawing in my gut starts, but it's not about Dante. It's about the life I used to have where I was happy and carefree. It's about the security I felt being an O'Conner then O'Malley, which was false. It's about the unquenchable love I had with Sean that I don't think can happen to a person twice in one lifetime. And if it did, how would I ever survive losing it again?

I ignore Dante's hurt expression and finish the remainder of my drink. I elbow him. "Let's go."

He sighs. "So now you want to leave?"

I finally meet his eyes. "No. We made a bet, remember?"

His lips curve, and the cocky competitor in him surfaces. It's an expression I've always loved, but it also makes me want to beat him.

He slides out of the booth then pulls me up. "When I win, we're going straight to my house."

I smirk. "If you think you're going to win, why'd you check into the Ritz?"

"Either way, I win." He winks. Before I can say anything, he leads me across the bar.

A man flies off the bull and lands on the mat. The crowd cheers, and Dante tugs me closer to him.

I glance up. "That's going to be you."

His hand drops to my ass. "Don't get cocky. I'm very athletic."

I point at the bull. "Well, don't make me wait any longer. Show me your athleticism."

Dante guides me closer and hands cash to a man in a cowboy hat and boots. He eyes us over and asks, "I'm Gus. Want the easy or real version?"

"Real," I blurt out then pat Dante's back. "Give him all you got so he can show us his skills."

"She's going after me. Same speed."

"No mercy," I state, but excitement courses through me, taking me by surprise. I'm not a twenty-year-old anymore. The carefree woman I used to be no longer exists. Yet, something about being with Dante makes me want to be reckless. Even more shocking is it feels good to feel wild again, even if it's just due to a shiny bull in a crowded country bar.

Gus hands clipboards to us. "Sign the waiver, and we'll get going."

Dante and I fill out the forms then hand them back to Gus.

"Have you done this before?" Gus asks.

Dante shakes his head. "Nope."

Gus pats the bull. "Sit as high as you can, near the head. Are you right or left-handed?"

"Left," Dante says, focusing on the bull. It reminds me of when he used to box and would size up his opponent before a match. I bite on my smile from the nostalgia.

Gus grips the rope. "Hold on to this using your dominant hand, and keep your right arm out away from you to maintain your balance. Grip the sides of the bull with your inner thighs as tight as you can. Any questions?"

"Nope."

"Okay, hop on," Gus instructs.

"Let's see what you got," I taunt.

"Watch and learn, Bridge." Dante pats my ass and jumps on the bull.

"Ma'am, step back behind that line," Gus orders.

I obey. When I spin, Gus turns on the bull. It slowly begins to move up, down, then rotates.

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