I hate that she sees that about me; I hate that she’s right. I can’t ever watch one of the guys take a bull without feeling tension tighten through me. I wasn’t always like that—it’s come with age and experience.
‘He doesn’t know what he’s doing.’
She pulls a face. ‘Isn’t that kind of the point?’
I clamp my lips together. ‘Has no business being on there.’
‘It’s just a bit of fun,’ she says, banging her knee to mine.
‘Yeah.’ I force a smile. ‘It is.’
I can tell she doesn’t quite believe me. Something sparks in her eyes though, a silent challenge. ‘You know, maybe I should give it a try.’
I stare at her like she’s lost her goddamn mind. ‘I don’t think so.’ My voice comes out sharper than I intend, and just the kind of tone designed to piss her right off. Bailey James is not someone to be told what to do—she hates it, obviously.
‘What’s the matter? Don’t think I can?’
Buck slams his hand on the stop button and the bull comes to a halt, right as the student tips sideways. He looks like he’s about to be sick. I breathe out, reminding myself this is a ride, a game, that people do it half-hammered, and no one’s ever broken a bone, at least not as far as I know.
‘Be my guest.’ I step back from the challenge, hoping that takes away her need to prove something to me. ‘Don’t blame me if you puke your burger though.’
In the end, Bailey had gone with Beth’s recommendation for a chili burger rather than thepozole. Damn if just watching her eat it wasn’t the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. Warning light number three thousand explodes into my mind; I ignore it, just like I have the others.
‘Deal.’ She smiles sweetly. ‘What do you think?’ she asks Austin, across the table. ‘Reckon I can handle that bull thing?’
Austin cocks a glance over his shoulder, turns back to Bailey. I dig my nails into my thigh, hoping my jackass of a brother says the right thing here. ‘Can’t see why not. Rita Flanagan rode it for her seventieth birthday, so you should have it covered.’
Bailey bursts out laughing and jabs her elbow into my ribs. ‘And here’s Beau Donovan trying to talk me out of it.’
‘ThisBeau Donovan?’ Mackenzie squeaks, jerking her thumb toward me, her face a study in disbelief. ‘What’s the matter? You getting all sensible and shit in your old age?’
The table cracks up laughing, with no idea how much my age has been playing on my mind lately.
‘Don’t worry, cowboy, I’ll be fine,’ Bailey says, winking at me as she stands.
‘Wait, wait,’ Austin calls after her, and for a second I think he’s gonna undo the damage he’s caused. ‘Can’t ride without a hat.’ He holds his out to Bailey. My jaw clenches as she reaches for it then pops it on her head. I can hardly look at her for how much it suits her, for howrightit is on her.There’s that word again, thatword I’ve got no business thinking. I want her inmyhat though, and my bed. And I think my jackass of a brother probably knows it. Knows what it does to me to see Bailey pull on his Stetson instead of mine.
‘Better,’ Cole says, and Beth gives an approving wink. No help there.
‘Fine,’ I mutter. ‘Let’s do this.’
Bailey’s eyes are smiling when they lock to mine and then she’s moving through the crowded bar. I flag down Randy and hand over some money.
Randy grins at Bailey, signals to Buck to stay where he is in the control booth.
‘Okay, any tips?’ she asks, as we move toward the roped-off area with the bull. The college students are standing around, looking at their phones, showing photos and video to the guy who was gutsy enough to ride.
‘Holy shit, you’re Beau Donovan,’ one of them says as I approach.
I plaster a smile on my face, impatience humming through me. ‘Yeah.’
‘Are you gonna ride that thing?’ the brunette asks.
‘Nah, not tonight.’
‘Oh, please, can you?’ one of the guys says.
I eye the bull then glance at Bailey, ignoring the college kids. ‘You’re sure about this?’
