Page 1 of Love You Already

CHAPTER 1

MONOTONE IS DANGEROUS.

Rose

“How does it feel to have another win under your belt tonight, Ms. Wright?” The reporter points his microphone at me as I try to assess what to say.

Did the ride tonight go perfect? Yeah, it did. Do I feel like I could take the championships this year? Probably.

But do I want to? That's the million dollar question.

I smile as I answer with my customary, “Feels great. Nothing in the world like it.”

That part isn't a lie. I've loved this sport since the first day I watched my big brother compete for the first time. I was too young then to join, though that didn't stop me from pleading with my father to let me. He finally relented somewhere around my thirteenth birthday. I hadn't stopped since.

Another reporter moves to speak. His suit looks completely out of place in the sea of denim and leather. I almost curl my lip at the sight. Something about city men perturbs me to no end. Daddy always said it was a good thing I hadn't been born into any other family. I might not have survived if I'd grown up in any other lifestyle.

“Will we see any future little Wrights from you, Miss? I'm sure there's someone out there who has stolen your eye a time or two.”

Did he really just…? Oh yeah. He did.

Jutting my hip out, I tighten the fist I have wrapped around my rope. I'd love to strangle him with it.No. Bad Rose. No strangulation today. You wouldn't do well in prison.

“Do you ask everyone that question?”

The guy blinks slowly, then shakes his head. “No.”

“Then what the hell makes you think it's ok to ask me? Is it because I'm a woman? You think that somehow means I want to be a baby factory for some man?” My voice deepens as I straighten my spine. I look him square in his eye despite the voice in my head telling me to back down.

I'm sure this interview will be all over the internet later. People love to tear apart every little thing I do in the circuit. It's another reason today's decision is one of the easiest I've ever made.

Douchebag Reporter Guy opens his mouth to speak again, but I level him with a glare, which serves to shut him up.

“I'm not interested in babies anytime soon. And there's nothing else you need to know about my romantic life. I'm here to ride bulls. That's it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have people to speak with.” I stomp away before anyone can say another word.

My temper is something of legend these days. It's rare for me to make it through an entire post-ride interview without someone pissing me off.

Nate, my oldest brother, always claims I got the attitude from our mother. He tells me she was a spitfire in her day who raised hell with the best of them. I wouldn't know since she passed giving birth to me twenty-three years ago.

Bridgett pops up beside me as I'm making my way to our trailer. “Hey, you! You snarl at anybody yet?”

I chuckle, despite the truth of her words. “You know me, Bridge. I'm just a ray of sunshine.”

She gives a laugh thunderous enough that half the men backstage turn to watch. Though honestly, they were probably already taking a gander at her. My sister is a sight to behold. Curvy in all the right ways, a trait we share, and lovable as can be, she's every man's wet dream. If I'm the black cat of the family, she'd be the corgi, all wiggly butt and happy to see everybody.

“You sure you're ready to leave this all behind?” she whispers in my ear.

My nod is sharp. “Surer than sure. It's not the same without Nate. I thought I could keep going.”

“But without your hero on the sidelines with you, you've finally realized the stinky, dirty bull riding life isn't for you. Totally makes sense.” Her eyes sparkle as she teases me. It's one of the many reasons I love her as much as I do.

Regardless of the fact that there's six years between us, she's been supportive of this shift I've decided to make. And like any amazing sibling, she decided to commemorate my final season by coming out with me to take shots of all my races. Her camera has captured every bit of my routine and performance since the start of this year.

“It's going to be nice heading home. I've missed being stationary.”

She shakes her head as she waits for me to load up my gear. “You've never much liked being stationary, Rose. I can't see you being still at all. In fact, I'm pretty sure you're going to come home and immediately dive into another new project.”

I keep my poker face in place as I climb into the cab with her. She doesn't need to know how right she is. The second I decided I was going to cut my season short and give up riding, I focused my attention on the future and what it would be like to head back home.

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