Chapter 17
Maggie
The overwhelming urge to kiss Hadley Jones has taken over my mind and refuses to budge. I retrain my gaze on my laptop, specifically the email I sent Knox for his interview questions that have me regretting ever taking this job. But I will make it work and I will show everyone on this ridiculous circuit I don’t trade favors.
Knox’s article is going to be a stellar one. I only have to ignore the searing annoyance I carry for the man.
I can do that.
I check emails, edit a bunch of photos, and upload them to the PBR site before snapping the laptop shut and heading out to find the villain of the story himself. Kade Knox.
And find him, I do. Rutting some blonde against the back of the bar building.
“I’ll wait.” I feign a chipper tone like I’ve stumbled upon someone checking their mailbox, not fucking like animals in broad daylight. I turn away, fighting off the heat in my face. I’m not a prude, but I did not expectthat.
Knox continues, and I roll my eyes and move into the shade of a tree, dipping my attention to my phone. I have two messages from Mom, checking in. I tap out a reply and check the weatherapp for later today. I’m excited to go to the lake. It’s been ages since I went swimming in fresh water.
A zip whines before footsteps close in.
I spin around. “Geez, lucky girl.”
He grunts a sardonic sound before adjusting the black hat on his head. “Didn’t hear no complaints.”
“Okay, well. Now that you are done with your extracurricular, can we make a start?”
“After you, Mags.”
I sigh. I don’t mind the nickname. Just whenheuses it.
He waves a hand, indicating we move inside to the bar area. I lead the way, dropping onto a stool in the center as I take out my laptop and tiny handheld recording machine.
Knox sinks onto the stool two down from me and plucks his hat from his head, dropping it to the bar.
I click the record button. “Interview commenced, Saturday, May tenth, twelve forty-five p.m. at Cold Lake rodeo grounds with Kade Knox of the Alberta Bravos.”
“Sounds legit, Gallagher.”
I raise a brow before diving into the questions. “So where did you grow up, and what was your family like?”
“Pass.”
I dip my chin. “You pass on the very first question?”
“What’s that got to do with my bull riding?”
“People want to know the bull riders, Kade. Not just watch them. It’s a community-building exercise. You know, good publicity.”
“Fine. Grew up in Saskatchewan and moved to BC when I graduated from high school.”
“How about your family? What was your childhood like?”
His face turns to stone. “Nope.”
I sigh. I seem to do it a lot around this guy. “Fine, did you always want to be a bull rider?”
“Not exactly.”
“Knox, you’re going to have to give me more than one and two-word answers. People, apparently, want to get to know you.”
