As if tonight couldn’t get any better, Knox bucks off, only making three seconds. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. But I snapped some great shots of him strapping down and a few of Spencer and Brady stretching and joking around.
The atmosphere behind the chutes is pumping, cowboys going through their routines. The camaraderie is so amazing to see. They’re not competing against one another—despite the fact they kind of are—they’re simply encouraging each other, talking shop, wishing each other luck...
“Maggie, Logan can take you out now.” Levi nods to the bullfighter standing at his side.
Out.
Into the arena.
To the danger zone. Under the spotlight, where the entire crowd can see me.
“Oh sure.” I give Levi a tight smile.
He nods. “Logan’s got you. You’ll be safe. Worst case, climb the rails, okay?”
“Okay.” Two very shaky syllables spill from my lips. Logan crooks an arm as he slides to a stop beside me.
“Ma’am.” The painted-on grin widens.
“Logan, I?—”
He leans in and winks at me. “I got you, boo.”
Good lord.I huff a strangled laugh.
We walk through the intake gate and make our way to the right of the chutes, and my heart rate spikes. Electricity ignites through my veins.
I’m nowhere near a bull and my heart is trying its best to escape through my ribs. My hands shake as I fumble with my camera, staying on the spot where Logan has planted me. He claims it’s the safest patch of dirt in this arena.
“Alrighty, ladies and gents...” the announcer drawls. “The bull that brought you all here tonight, with one of our most seasoned riders. This is a beast of an animal. And with a strike rate that’s never been broken, put your hands up for TER-MIN-A-TOR!”
“Oh shit,” I rasp.
A stone lodges in my throat as I squat in the dirt, wanting to find the best angle for Hadley. I can see him through the rails, strapping down. Rubbing his grip up and down the rope. He looks good. I repeat the words over and over.
Two men hover by the return gate. One has a phone held up, no doubt about to record the ride. The other holds a tablet, which I’m guessing contains names, scores, and such on it.
The rock music puncturing the night air ramps up as the gate pulls.
An enormous grey bull bursts from the chute. Hadley is seated, arm high, as he spurs the bull round to the right.
Good.
Right side.
This is good.
The clock ticks over the chutes to the right above the two scouts.
The animal snorts, diving as his back legs fly into the air.
Shit. Photos!
I suck in a breath, my aching lungs stretching for the first time in the last few seconds that felt more like a lifetime. Terminator dives and drives his hind legs aloft again. Hadley leans back, jawline set, arm high, the flex in his forearms and biceps strained to perfection.
Click.
I wait until he spurs him sideways and... click.
