There was no one there, but the feeling that I was being watched lingered.
“Michaela?” I threw out her name, hoping it was just her lurking in the shadows. I could handle her, as annoying as she could be.
I inhaled a sharp breath through my nose, and the faint scent of cigarette smoke hit my nostrils.
I faced forward again and started walking a bit faster than I had been before, hands shaking from the adrenaline pumping through my veins.
The arena was eerily quiet, and behind me, lights started to flicker off from the lack of motion.
Not paying attention to where I was walking, I smackeddirectly into a hard plane in front of me, letting out a squeak. Strong arms wrapped around me, steadying me.
“Oh, good, there you are. We were all looking for you. Are you ready to go home?”
Hayden. Thank God.
“Sorry. I got distracted, but I’m ready. Let’s go.” I swiveled my head one more time, making sure there wasn’t anyone around.
The smell of smoke had dissipated, and I couldn’t detect anyone other than me and Hayden. We were truly alone.
“Are you okay? Did something happen?”
I shook my head. “No, sorry. It’s just kinda spooky in here when there are no people. Let’s go.”
I was probably just being paranoid, but I walked to the trailer a little bit faster than I normally would.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
sierra
Deep breaths, Sierra.” I gave myself a pep talk. I’d find out today if I made it in the top fifteen in the world standings. If I made it to the NFR and achieved my life-long dream. “If you don’t make it, there’s always next year.” I splashed some cold water on my face and looked at my reflection. Water trickled down my skin and my eyes looked tired, dark splotches forming half-moons under them, but I was still alive.
“You ready?” Hayden asked when I finally came out of the bathroom.
I took a seat next to him on the couch, folding my legs underneath myself. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Externally, I looked cool, calm, and collected. The image of confidence. Internally, my heart was threatening to burst out of my chest. Not to mention, my palms grew sweatier by the minute.
“Do you want me to look first?” Hayden asked, squeezing my shoulder in an attempt to ground me. He already knew that he and Keenan weren’t going to make itthis year. They were too far down in the standings that making it in the top fifteen wasn’t realistic.
I shook my head. “No, I just want to get it over with.”
“I’ve got you, Skip.” He kept his hand on my shoulder as I typed in the world standings list. “I’m right here no matter what happens.”
Closing my eyes, I tapped the link. From beside me, Hayden drew in a breath, and my heart dropped.
Is that a good breath or a bad one?
I opened my eyes, expecting the worst.
14. Sierra Bayley, Goldfinch, MT, $159,234.89
I dropped my face into my hands, tears stinging the back of my eyes. “Oh my God. I did it.”
Hayden alternated between rubbing circles on my back and squeezing my waist, pulling me close to his side. “You did it, Skip. You made it.”
I picked up my head, jutting my bottom lip out slightly. Hayden’s eyes were misty, and I could feel the tears trickling down my cheeks, but he pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. Although it wasn’t stifling or constrictive. Instead it was full of pride.
“I’m going to Las Vegas!” I exclaimed once the reality of it all really set in. “I’m going to be competing at the NFR! Oh my God, I couldkissyou right now!” My eyes widened at the realization of what I just said. “I-I didn’t mean?—”
