“And back for the first time in two months, Grayson Garrison!” the announcer booms. My grin breaks wide across my face, my hat waved in the air as the crowd goes wild. Every chant of my name only swells my heart. The hand gripping the rim of my cowboy hat resting right over it.
Stepping back into line, I spot River and Joy by the gates. My woman smiling like a fool as she whistles for me.
Thinking back to the moment I met River, I would have never expected this fun-loving woman lived inside her. I knew she’d be tough, and she is. That hasn’t changed, but she’s done well letting go of so many of those restraints she bound herself to.
We’re led to the back once the announcements are complete. The guys and me all bickering and laughing about nothing. I’ve missed this. But even someday when I retire, I’ll still be here at the place that made this all a reality for me.
The night progresses as they often do. The bull riders are always pulling up the rear. The danger and excitement associated with what we do keep the crowds in their seats until the end.
“Gray,” Tate calls my name as I’m making my way to the chutes.
“What’s up?”
He quirks a grin. There’s no contention in my tone or his face. A new normal we’re slowly finding. “You be safe out there.”
Pulling my brother into a hug, he’s slow to hold me back. We don’t share any other words, just a few seconds of an embrace before I climb up to the platform.
That nervous energy I’d had getting on a bull the first time after the incident doesn’t find me tonight. My limbs are relaxed. Head on straight. I’m ready for this. I was born for this.
Somehow, I’d pulled one of my old nemesis bulls. A bastard that has knocked me off twice throughout my career when I was only a few seconds from making the eight.
“You ready, son?”
I nod, tightening my rope. That same deep breath funnels into my lungs before I release it. My next nod coupled with a “Let’s go.”
The crack of the gate opening spikes my heart rate. The crowd instantly going wild.
We whip and turn before changing direction. The high kick shifting me forward and to the left before I correct myself, squeezing for dear life. This bull isn’t knocking me off tonight. Tonight, I come out on top. I walk out of this ring no matter what.
He makes another sharp change in direction, dipping low before jumping high. One final spin before the buzzer sounds, and I jump high in the air, log rolling off to the side.
The bull fighters round up my competition mate as I race for the gate, right where River is standing, clapping and cheering. Climbing it, I wave my hat in the air. The cheers in the arena only growing louder.
My heart is so full.
I’m quick to exit the ring, racing straight for River, and scooping her up into my arms, spinning her as she kisses me with tears in her eyes. “I’m okay, baby. Not even a scratch.”
“Dammit. Gray. You did so good!” She kisses me again before I set her down, only for a throat to clear behind me.
“Grayson Garrison?”
“That’s me,” I breathe heavily.
The guy sticks out his hand, short stubby fingers clasping around mine as we shake. “Will Mortimer. We’d like to talk to you about getting back on the pro circuit. Maybe even joining one of the teams.”
River presses into my side, and I can feel her eyes on me.
Looking down at her, there’s a whole future in her eyes. The crowd still roars around me, and I can’t help but take that in too. My home. The place that made my dreams come true, even if that wasn’t how I originally saw it.
“Thank you, Mr. Mortimer, but I’ve got everything I need right here.”
I pull River into my arms again, kissing her indecently before she grabs my hat and puts it on her head.
“Let’s go for a ride, cowboy.”
Epilogue
River
