Her gaze flicks to my mouth, then back to my eyes like she’s fighting herself.
“The circuit is thinking about dropping this town,” I say. “That’s businesses losing money. People losing jobs. A place that actually cares getting left behind. I don’t want that. And I don’t want you feeling like you walked into a mess you can’t fix.”
“I didn’t say that,” she whispers.
“You didn’t have to.” My thumb brushes slowly over her knuckles. It’s a small gesture, but it’s deliberate. “I’m not doingthis because I want attention. I’m doing it because I want you to stay.”
Her face freezes on a surprised expression for half a second. Then she swallows.
“But the risk,” she says, voice unsteady.
“Every bull is a risk. That’s the point.” I hold her eyes while I say it, letting her see the truth. “The difference is people will pay to see this. Brutus coming out of retirement for one final ride. That’s headlines. Tickets. The kind of stunt that makes the whole state look at this town again.”
Seth has been listening, expression tight, and now he shakes his head once, slow. “Your heart’s in the right place, Kai. It always is. But you have a talent for throwing yourself into the fire.”
June’s fingers squeeze mine again, like she’s silently agreeing with him.
“I know my limits,” I say.
Carter scoffs. “Do you? Because from where I’m sitting, this looks like you volunteering to get launched into the bleachers.”
I don’t look away from June. “If I get thrown, I get thrown.”
Her lips part. “Kai.”
I dip my head a fraction closer, voice going low so it’s just for her. “I’m not reckless. I’m motivated.”
Her cheeks flush at that, like she hears the second meaning in it. Like she knows exactly who my motivation is.
I lean back and address the table again. “Pete’s already working on flyers and advertising. We raise ticket prices for the Brutus event, make it a special attraction. The revenue might be enough to convince your father that this town is worth keeping on the circuit.”
“And if you get hurt?” Seth asks, flat.
A beat.
June’s eyes stay on mine. Worried, yes. But there’s something else too. Something that looks a lot like she cares more than she wants to admit.
“The plan isn’t for me to do the whole eight seconds, but to show people Brutus, and in all honesty, I’m happy for Brutus to win here,” I say. “I’m not doing it for glory but for ticket sales.”
Carter drags a hand down his face. “This is my fault. I made that stupid joke about you riding Brutus, and now you’re doing a whole civic project with your skull.”
I grin at him. “You gave me the idea. So really, this is on you.”
“That’s not how any of this works.”
June lets out a small, shaky laugh, and my chest loosens. Like even scared, she’s still here. Still with us.
I lift her hand to my mouth and press a quick kiss to her knuckles. “Pretty sure it is,” I say, eyes on hers. “Trust me. I’m not an idiot.”
“Debatable,” Carter mutters.
I ignore him. “I only do what I know I can handle. I wouldn’t have agreed to this unless I was confident I could pull it off. And I’m one mean bull rider. I’ve been doing this for years. Brutus is a challenge, yeah, but he’s not impossible.”
Her gaze drops to the ink peeking from under my sleeve, then back to my face. Like she’s trying to read the parts I keep locked down. “You always sound like you’re fighting something,” she says softly.
I huff a breath, half laugh, half truth. “Old habit.”
Carter tilts his head at my arm. “Tell her, Kai.”
