The place was packed, and my worries about standing out wearing my cowboy boots were for naught. There were so many more girls in far flashier outfits than my sage green sundress and white cowboy boots. Hux’s hand never left mine as I helped him navigate through the crowd, but honestly, it was more like he was leading me.
Walking through the rodeo grounds had been like walking through a portal or something to an alternate reality or the past.
Hux moved with purpose, confidence, holding his head high. If he was aware of the growing number of hushed whispers, he didn’t let on. Or maybe he just didn’t care anymore. Either way I was proud as hell of him.
We made our way through the throng, stopping for a few minutes as the National Anthem was sung and a red, white, and blue clad cowgirl galloped across the arena on a beautiful pearly white horse while an American flag billowed behind them. Not gonna lie, it was pretty epic to witness. As the song ended and they announced that bareback bronc riding would start in five minutes, we continued on to find Whit or some open seats, whatever we could find at this point.
“Well, shit. They just lettin’ any old rabble in here these days?” An older gentleman scoffed, stepping into our path. His voice was deep and raspy, reminding me of the sound of gravel. He was probably in his mid sixties or so, and handsome, if not a bit rough around the edges.
I rocked back at his harsh tone, but Hux’s lips pulled up into a wide grin as he held out a hand. “Shit. Bad Mooney! Man, it’s been a minute. How’re you, sir?”
The man gripped his hand and shook it hard. A solid handshake. “Doin’ good. Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Trust me, that makes two of us, sir.” Hux tugged on my hand gently, pulling me closer to his side. “I wanna introduce you to Quinn. She’s um…” He chewed his lip a moment and my heart thumped as I waited with bated breath for his next words. What did he think we were? “Well, she’s mine.”
Mine.
I bit back a gasp, a chord thrumming to life in my chest at his little admission.
I wondered if he’d even realized the significance of that four letter word. If it meant as much to him as it did to me. Did heremember when we were talking the other day and I told him it’s like my heart woke up and claimed him as mine?
I’m sure some people would see that as another red flag. Him claiming me as his own. But I didn’t see it that way. It felt fitting for us, to be honest.
I squeezed his hand in silent reassurance and smiled at the older cowboy across the way. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you, Mister Mooney, was it?”
He appraised me with a cool, hazel stare, a soft, appreciative grin finally coming to rest on his lips. “Pleasure’s mine, Miss Quinn.” Then he turned to Hux. “Now how’d your ugly mug wind up with someone as beautiful as this girl?”
From the light in his eyes and the smirk I knew he was joking, but his tone was so harsh, so unrelenting and brutal it was hard to remember that. I wondered how they knew each other.
Hux laughed, the sound rich and warm, warmer than I’d ever heard it. “I don’t know. Probably for a similar reason you landed yourself with a gem like Mrs. Mooney. Luck of the draw.”
The man laughed once more, a sudden, deep sound reminding me of the crack of a whip, or a clap of thunder. “Can’t argue with that. Have your parents met her yet?”
Something rippled across Hux’s face at the mention of his parents. It wasn’t as intense as anger or as wistful as sadness. I wanted to say maybe…guilt?
“Not yet,” he replied. “Haven’t had a chance to get back there.” Mr. Mooney nodded and before he could say a word, Hux asked, “Speakin’ of the missus, where is she? I don’t think I remember her ever missin’ one of Cash’s rodeos.”
“She’s back home helpin’ the girls with the kids. It’s a boys’ trip, accordin’ to Cash.”
“Cash settled down and had a kid?” Hux asked, surprise written plainly on his face.
Another bark of laughter fell from the old cowboy. “That’d be the fuckin’ day. Nah, Maverick and Ryder both have kids now. You remember them, right?”
Hux nodded. “Yeah, I remember ‘em. Good for them. Cash still his usual self?”
Mr. Mooney chuckled. “Well, he’s got himself a girl now, believe it or not, but it ain’t gonna last. He ain’t ready, and until he is, he’ll continue chasin’ tail.” He nodded at me. “If you’re smart you won’t let Cash meet her.”
I didn’t know who Cash was, but I gave Hux’s hand a reassuring squeeze once more and leaned in closer to him. I wasn’t going anywhere.
“Don’t let me meet wh—hot damn!” The sound of an unfamiliar voice drew my gaze and I took in the handsome, if not a bit gaudily-dressed cowboy who walked toward us. He was handsome, like, unfairly handsome with a chiseled jaw dusted in a five o' clock shadow beard, cropped, caramel-colored hair, and a physique that must’ve been sculpted by God himself, making the discussion about him earlier make much more sense.
No wonder he had no plans of settling down. He probably could get any girl in this place. Even in his obnoxiously bright pink outfit, complete with rhinestones and all.
His hazel gaze swirled with mischief and temptation as he flashed me a dazzling, lopsided grin. “Well, hello there, sweetheart. Aren’t you just as pretty as a damn present? The name’s Cash. But you can call me Big Daddy.”
I glanced at Hux who fidgeted at my side. Was he nervous? Worried I’d be affected by this guy’s charm? It was odd seeing him anything but the cool, confident cowboy I’d met.
“Thanks for keeping her company, bud,” Cash went on to Hux, his entire being rippling with confidence, “but it’s time for her to take a ride on a real cowboy.” He glanced at me, offering me a wink. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, I don’t buck…much.”
