Everything was fine, until it wasn’t. As we rounded the turn, my saddle started to slide ever so slightly. I gritted my teeth, willing all my strength into staying upright.
This can’t be happening right now.
I engaged my core as we raced to the end of the arena past the time barrier without a hitch.
“Let’s give her fifteen-oh-three!”
I huffed out a breath of relief as Lucky slowed to a walk, and we exited the arena. As I hopped off his back, Keenan and Hayden approached us.
“Damn, Skippy, thought we were about to have a repeat of Bridgers!” Keenan tugged on my braid.
I whipped it away out of his grasp, jabbing a finger into his chest, though my tone was anything but aggressive. “Watch your mouth, Chase. We don’t speak of that day.”
“Hey, I gotta hand it to you, though. You managed to finish the run without falling. That takes one strong cowgirl to do that.”
Hayden nodded in agreement. “She’s always been the toughest one out of all of us.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
hayden
MAY, SOPHOMORE YEAR
Sierra started competing with us right from the beginning of the spring rodeo season in March. Over the past six weeks, we traveled around the state to compete in various rodeos, and I absolutely loved it. I could see this being a career I pursued in the future, despite my parents wanting me to go to school to get an education first, just in case.
It was a sunny day in the Gallatin Valley, just outside of Bozeman. This rodeo was duly named the Bridgers Rodeo and was one of my favorites. The area reminded me of Goldfinch, and the crisp mountain air always had a positive effect on my nerves.
“Have your parents come to any of these?” I asked while we sat around eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
She shook her head as she lifted a hand to her mouth, still chewing a big bite.
“Oh, that’s too bad.” Alyssa gave her a sympathetic glance.
I didn’t think Alyssa noticed, but I saw the flash of annoyance in Sierra’s eyes as she swallowed.
“It’s not that big a deal. I don’t need them to be here.”
“And you have my parents,” I added, hoping to reassure her. I didn’t exactly know why her parents didn’t come to watch her, but it frustrated me a little. Sierra was really good, and it was unfortunate that her family wasn’t here to witness it.
Her eyes flicked away before she stood, crumpling up the plastic bag her sandwich was in. “Yep.” She walked over to the trash can to throw it away and didn’t come back, disappearing around the corner instead.
“She’s interesting, isn’t she?” Alyssa stood up and placed her hands on her hips.
I shrugged. “I guess.”
The way she said “interesting” made it feel like an insult. Was Sierra shy? Sure. Guarded? Absolutely. But she wasn’t weird like Alyssa’s tone insinuated, at least not to me.
“I wonder what her deal is.” She was still staring, even though Sierra was long gone.
“What do you mean?”
She shrugged. “It’s odd that her parents wouldn’t be here, or at least come tooneof the rodeos she competes in. Especially with how good she is. And they have to know about them. They signed the paperwork.”
The urge to defend Sierra, even though the same thoughts had just rolled through my head, rose to the surface. “Maybe her parents work on the weekends. They could just be busy. I don’t think it’s that deep, Alyssa.”
She raised her brows as she exhaled through her nose in amusement. “You’re right, that’s my bad. I shouldn’t have made assumptions.” Folding up her sandwich bag, shestood. “Well, I’d better go get ready to compete. You should, too. Go find Keenan.”
I nodded, finishing the rest of my sandwich and handing her my garbage before standing and brushing the dust off my jeans.
