“Well, shit, I’m so sorry. If you need anything, let us know, okay? I’m sure Hayden’s got you all taken care of, but any friend of Hayden’s is a friend of ours. Anyway, sorry, I got a little sidetracked there.” She grabbed the armbelonging to a man who had on a navy-blue pullover and a straw cowboy hat. “This is Colter, my husband.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Sierra.” He took off his hat to shake my hand.
The cowboy who originally greeted Hayden introduced himself next. “I’m Reid Lawson.”
Hayden introduced the final two. “The short one’s Mikey Tucker, and the blond one is Jake Flynn.”
“It’s nice to meet you all.” I offered a pathetic attempt at a smile. I recognized Colter, Reid, and Mikey’s names. They were big-name athletes in the rodeo world, although Mikey had more of a reputation with women than for winning buckles up until recently.
“You’re doing pretty well for yourself in the barrel racing this year, aren’t you?” Colter asked.
My cheeks flushed, and I ran my fingers through my hair. “Yeah, I’m currently sitting fourteenth in the world standings. It would be my first NFR if I made it.”
The NFR, the pinnacle of rodeo events, had always been my dream. I never went to college, so I didn’t get to experience a CNFR, and I wasn’t quite good enough in high school to make it to the NHSFR, despite how much Hayden hyped me up.
“The NFR has always been her dream,” Hayden whispered, so quiet I didn’t think anyone else heard him besides me.
“That’s impressive. You were at the Houston Rodeo earlier this year, weren’t you? I think I remember hearing your name,” Colter continued, either not hearing or ignoring Hayden’s statement.
I nodded. “I was.”
“Well, are you any good at playing pool? We can do teams of three?” Reid suggested, handing me a pool stick.
Shrugging, I laughed. “Sure, why not? But what about you?” I pointed to Mikey.
“They don’t want me to play pool because ofone time,” he grumbled, but there was a glint of humor in his eyes.
“First of all, it was more than one time. Secondly, how many times do we need to tell you this? Let’s see, there was that time a couple of years ago, and then…” Reid teased, pretending to count on his fingers.
Mikey groaned. “All right, all right, I get it! I’m going to get a drink.”
“Okay, now that that’s settled, let’s make this fair,” Jake piped up. “Colter, Reid, and Ellison, one of you has to split up. Ellison, why don’t you play on my team?”
“What? Why?” Colter protested.
Jake rolled his eyes. “Have youseenyour wife play pool? She’s better than all of us.”
Colter shrugged. “Well, I can’t exactly argue with that, but why doyouget her on your team?”
I watched their exchange, unable to help the small grin pulling at my lips.
“We’re always on a team together. Let’s mix it up.” Ellison playfully nudged Colter. “How about me, Jake, and Sierra on a team? Then you, Reid, and Hayden?” She turned toward me. “Unless you want to play with Hayden.”
“Me?” I pointed at myself with my thumb before shaking my head. “I’m fine with whatever.”
“Losers buy the next round?” Jake looked around the group for approval.
“You’re on.” Reid nodded. He turned his head toward me after racking the balls. “Do the honors?”
Lining up a shot, I squinted one eye and hit the cue ball, aiming for the ball at the top of the triangle. The shothad just enough force for the balls in the second row to ricochet toward the pockets in the middle of the table. A solid-colored ball rolled directly into the pocket on the left side, and Ellison pumped her fist next to me.
“Atta girl!”
My next hit wasn’t so lucky, setting up Hayden for an easy shot.
The game went back and forth for a while. After Colter missed a shot, I stepped up to the table. Our last ball was right next to the eight-ball, making for a risky shot.
I popped my knuckles before bending down and hinging my hips back so I was eye level with the table. At the last second, though, my eyes flicked to Hayden, who was staring at me with an intensity I’d only seen once in my life.
