“I’m sorry, you’re right.” I scrubbed my hand through my hair. “I didn’t mean to micromanage you. I’m just worried, is all. I know there haven’t been any issues since Billings, but…” My voice trailed off. I felt like I’d been waiting on edge for something to happen the last couple weeks. Instead of relief that nothing had happened, it was almost like dread was weighing down on me for the next time somethingdidhappen.
“What makes you so sure something’s going to happen?”
I could tell she was trying to keep her tone neutral, but frustration peeked through in her question.
“I guess nothing. But if somethingdoes?—”
Sierra cut me off. “Nothing’s going to happen, Hayes. And if, God forbid, something does, I assure you that I can handle it myself. I’m a big girl.” She let out a heavy sigh. “I appreciate your concern, but it’s going to be fine. Weird coincidences happen all the time. It doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. I’m going to warm up Lucky now, okay?”
“Okay, Skip.” My shoulders drooped a little, because even though I knew she was right and she could handle herself, I couldn’t get rid of the lingering fear of someone hurting her.
My eyes couldn’t help but glue themselves to her as she rode away, her ponytail swaying behind her.
From behind me, I recognized Keenan’s laugh and footfall as he approached me.
“Don’t start,” I dismissed him before he could open his mouth.
“Ah, come on, Hazey. Let me give you a little shit.”
Shaking my head, I started to walk in the opposite direction. “I don’t care what you have to say. How much did you hear?”
“Enough.” He chuckled as he followed me. “You have to admit you sound a little bit like our dads. Sierra can handle herself. She doesn’t need you hovering over her.”
“I’m well aware of that, thank you very much. Sierra made sure to inform me of that like two minutes ago.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Am I wrong for being a little concerned?”
He shrugged. “No, but there are different ways you can show your concern. Ways that won’t push her away from you because you’re being an overbearing worrywart.”
Having Sierra call me out sucked because I was only trying to help, but having Keenan point out my behavior was worse.
I sighed, letting my shoulders drop. “I know, I know.”
“Try to relax. She’ll be fine, dude. I know you”—he paused—“care about her very deeply, but it’s been almost ten years since we graduated high school. Times have changed, and that girl out there is strong as fuck. Not even that, she’s even scarier than she was in high school.” He laughed. “I’m just saying, I wouldn’t want to cross her. She’ll be fine. And if she’s not, then she has you, and I have no doubt she’ll come to you.”
I sighed, knowing he was right but not wanting to admit it.
Keenan’s shoulders shook as he visibly suppressed his amusement. “The best part about all of this is that you know I’m right. You just don’t want to admit it.” He patted me on the back and then turned back toward the arena. “Come on, she’s going to run soon.”
“She’s number thirteen in the world right now, folks, and she’s had some great runs the last few days. Sierra Bayley racing with her horse, Ace’s Lucky Charm! Let’s do it!” The announcer’s voice should have prompted me to focus on the arena where Sierra was about to race, but a flash of movement in the direction of our horse trailer caught my attention instead.
“Where are you going? She’s racing right now!” Keenan called after me, but I waved him off, my eyes stuck on the figure headed toward the trailer.
Keeping enough of a distance that the person—a blonde woman—wouldn’t be able to see me, I tailed her. She didn’t have a number on her back, so either she wasn’t acontestant or she’d taken it off momentarily. I didn’t recognize her from the back of her head either; she had no distinguishable features or clothing.
I thought I was far enough behind, but right before she reached the trailer and all of our equipment, she looked over her shoulder, a shocked expression flashing across her face. Instead of continuing toward the trailer, she ran off in the other direction.
“Hey!” I yelled, running after her. “Stop!”
She kept going, weaving through pickup trucks and horse trailers, until eventually she lost me.
“Fuck,” I muttered just as the announcer called out, “Fourteen-point-seven-nine!”
By the time I trudged back to the rodeo arena, Sierra had already dismounted Lucky and was walking him back to the trailer to untack.
“Hayden?” Confusion laced in her voice. “What were you doing?”
I sucked my tongue behind my teeth before biting out a low, “Someone was trying to mess with the trailer.”
“What?” I couldn’t blame her for her disbelief.
