18
Wyatt
Before my mind can spiral into another round of what-if scenarios, Willow's phone buzzes. She glances at it, her expression unreadable, but the second she answers, I hear Jax's voice on the other end.
He booms, "Got good news. Just landed Wyatt a slot for Whispering Junction's Boots, Bucks & Mistletoe Rodeo."
My adrenaline level spikes.
Did I hear that right?
Willow's voice pitches high, sharp with disbelief. "That's not possible. The entry deadline has passed."
This is my chance!
I lock my gaze on her, my chest tightening, and I order, "Put it on speaker."
She rolls her eyes but obeys.
"Full rider slot. Promoter owed me a favor," Jax explains.
Willow rubs her temples. Her shoulders tense, and hesitation creeps behind her eyes. She's calculating every angle, and it makes my nerves stand on edge. She says, "Jax. He can't ride in the show."
"What are you talking about?" I blurt out.
Jax adds, "Don't be ridiculous. I've got a few days to sharpen him up."
"No. This isn't happening," Willow snaps, harder than a bull's horn to the ribs.
The words hit me like a fist. I jerk back, caught off guard, not just by the tone but by the finality in her eyes.
Jax's voice crackles from the phone. "Willow, don't start."
She fires back, "I'm not starting. I'm ending it. Wyatt isn't riding. He's not ready. Not mentally. Not physically. He hasn't competed in months."
I stare at her, trying not to explode. "I can handle it," I insist.
"No, you can't," she fires back.
"He'll be fine," Jax interjects.
Willow points at me. "You're not just out of practice, you're reckless. You got into a bar fight two nights ago. You're nursing a swollen face and a bruised ego. That doesn't exactly scream rodeo-ready."
"You think I can't ride anymore?" I grind my teeth.
She doesn't even flinch. "I think you're too much of a wild card. You want to prove something? Fine. But not at Whispering Junction. Not when we have major sponsors considering you."
I huff. "Which is why I need to ride. You heard them. Until they see me ride again, they won't make any offers."
"You aren't ready," she repeats.
It takes everything in me not to raise my voice. I wonder where the girl is who used to believe in me wholeheartedly.
"I'm not asking for your blessing, Willow. I'm going to ride."
She looks at me like I'm already the failure she predicted. "Then find another agent. I won't let you put my career at risk."
"She's serious," Jax mutters through the speaker, mostly to me, but Willow hears him too.
