Fuck. Fuck.
My head swims, and I’m sure it’s the nerves. Not the lingering concussion from merely seven days ago. Surely not.
I shake out my hands, hauling a long, much-needed breath into my lungs. Focus. I gotta focus, is all.
I’ve rode worse bulls and made the eight. A second chance should be a cake walk... Right?
I slide my rope from the rails and pull the Tiffany glove from my back pocket before wandering for chute three.
Knox stands to one side with Levi as I pull the glove on.
Levi frowns. “No helmet tonight?”
“Don’t want the obstruction,” I mutter. “Every detail matters.”
Levi sighs. “Your call.”
“Give him hell,” Knox grinds out.
I hold up a fist, and he stares at it before slamming his into mine.
“Was that so hard, Knox?” I scoff.
“Fuck you, Jonesy.”
“Not likely, bud, but you might be able to give your number to the new crew.” I nod to the old guy taking photos. We both hesitate, stares honed on the guy who almost needs a walking stick to hobble toward the chute.
“Christ.” Knox is shaking his head, and that’s when I realize the lens cap is still on.
I chuckle. “Don’t think even he can help.” I pull my gaze from the old geezer and glance the chute. “Up, up, and away.”
I climb the rails and move to swing my leg over when Knox grabs my chaps.
“Break a leg, Hadley.”
“You too, Kade.”
Without another second of hesitation, I drop down onto the two tons of mad rage that tried his best to remove me from this earth once before.
“Hello, old friend.” I slap his neck.
He shoves the chute with his hard skull before jumping in the chute.
So hedoesremember me.
The telltale buzz of adrenaline sparks to life in my veins.
The rope slides around the bull. Levi’s got it in position as I say, “Yes, sir.”
With a head shake and a groan, he pulls it tight. I slide my gloved hand into the hand piece and curl my fingers over beforehammering them down with my fist. My forearm in the cast aches with each harsh hit.
The microphone overhead crackles. “Hold your breath, folks. Here comes the duo that stopped the nation eighteen months ago.”
The announcer pauses for dramatic effect, and I slam my eyes shut. This one is for the girls.
Mom, Kales, Gem, Nini, and Sunshine.
I picture them all the last time we were together and happy.
