“Well, she doesn’t have me yet.” The smile slips off her face, and for a second, I think she might say something about not wanting to leave, but when the silence stretches, I fill it.
“What day do you need to be back?” I shift into business mode. “We can head down to Vegas on Sunday night after the Stampede, get the annulment first thing Monday morning, and get you back to Toronto in time to conquer the world.”
I’m sure to keep a confident, sure smile on my face while I explain the plan that will break us apart forever. The very plan that, more than anything, I don’t want to execute.
But for her, for my sweet little filly. I’ll do anything.
Including letting her go.
Chapter Eleven
Travis
The Calgary Stampede is one of the biggest rodeos in North America. More importantly, it’s the biggest rodeo close to home, which means there are huge bragging rights for the winner.
And I plan on being that winner in the finals today.
I just need to get my head in the game.
“Hey, buddy. You ready for this?” Rex slaps my back, joining me in the barns where I’m trying—and failing—to focus. None of my usual techniques are working.
I’ve spent years developing a routine that puts me in the zone, blocks out any outside noise, and allows me to focus completely on the bronc I’m about to mount.
It always works.
Except for today.
“Fuck!” I kick a bucket, spilling water all over the barn floor with a clang. “No,” I tell him. “I’m not fucking ready for this. I’m not fucking ready for tomorrow. I’m not fucking ready for her toleave.” I stare at him, surprised the truth had just slipped out. “I’m not fucking ready for any of it,” I confess, softer now.
My buddy stares at me for a beat before he shakes his head and whistles low under his breath.
“What?”
“You’ve got it bad, man.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I growl. “I don’t have anything bad. I’m just distracted.”
He cocks a brow. Before he can tell me exactly how distracted I am—and I don’t need any reminders, thank you very much—I continue. “And what I need to do is get rid of the distraction.” The lie is bitter on my tongue. “Tomorrow,” I tell him. “After I win this final, I’m taking Maisey back to Vegas. We can get the annulment, collect our prize money, and go our separate ways.”
He tilts his head and chuckles.
My hands clench into fists, itching to wipe that cocky grin off his face.
“Right,” he says, drawing out the word. “Because that’s what you want to do? Go your separate ways?”
“I do.” I can’t look him in the eye when I lie. But I also can’t admit the truth, because wanting her to stay doesn’t mean I get to keep her.
“Bullshit.”
“It’s—”
“Save it, Trav,” he stops me with a shake of his head. “I know you too well. And you’re a shitty liar. What I can’t figure out is why the hell you’re working so hard to convince yourself that saying goodbye to her is what you want.”
From beyond the barn, we can hear the roar of the crowd as the announcers call out the next event. The broncs are next. I’ve got to pull it together and quick if I don’t plan on getting my ass kicked out there in front of twenty thousand people.
“I can’t tell her,” I say simply. “She’s ready to go back to the city and her life.” I shake my head, remembering how excited she was about the job interview. Her whole face lit up. “I won’t be the reason she gives it all up.”
“Isn’t that a decision for her to make?”
