Page 107 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“Is our boy ready and focused?” Tiny asked.

“He is,” Seeley said. “And he’s thrilled that y’all are here.”

“We’re thrilled to be here,” Dare said.

“This brings back memories,” Wynnie said. “I’m already nervous.”

“You and me both,” Seeley said as they sat down in front of his parents between Dare and Cowboy. He took Juliette’s hand. “It’s a whole different rodeo from this side of the gate.”

Tiny patted his shoulder and said, “Better get used to gritting your teeth, son. Watching your boy on a bull never gets easy.”

The announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers. Seeley took Juliette’s hand as the din of the crowd quieted and the event began. Juliette filled with a mix of exhilaration and trepidation as they watched kids compete in barrel racing, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, and bareback. The horses were beautifully strong and the riders, focused and athletic. The sounds of hooves pounding dirt, the snapping of ropes, and the cheers of the crowd heightened the excitement. But nothing topped the sounds of Seeley’s family and their friends cheering on Lucas like he was king of the rodeo.

He took first place in barrel racing and second in bareback. As he climbed onto a bull in the chute, Juliette could hardly hear her own thoughts for the whoops, cheers, and whistles ringing out for Rodeo. Even Gus was cheering his heart out. She squeezed Seeley’s hand.

“He’s got grit, darlin’. He’s got this,” Seeley said reassuringly, and lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles.

“I know” came out as nervous and hopeful as she felt.

The bull exploded out of the gate, bucking and twisting, and Juliette held her breath. Come on, baby. Stay on. That’s it. As the seconds ticked by, Lucas clung to the rope, holding one hand in the air, his body jerking and flailing with the bull’s powerful and unpredictable bucks, rears, kicks, and spins as it tried to throw him off.

Juliette’s heart pounded as the tenths of seconds flashed on the clock and Lucas fought to stay on the massive animal. The eight-second buzzer sounded, and they all shot to their feet, shouting and cheering. Seeley hugged Juliette as Lucas leaned into his hand and kicked his leg over the bull to dismount. The bull reared and twisted, sending Lucas flying head over feet. The crowd gasped as he landed on his back like a rag doll.

“Getupgetupgetup,” Juliette begged, but Lucas lay as still as steel. Panic flared in her chest and she reached for Seeley, but he was already gone. She saw him leaping over the railing, tearing across the dirt toward Lucas as medics appeared and other men wrangled the bull.

She ran down the stands with Cowboy and Dare flanking her and realized Tiny was ahead of them, blazing a path through the crowd. As they rushed around the ring, she couldn’t see Lucas. The medics and Seeley were leaning over him. Ohgod. Please! Please let him be okay!

Seeley and a medic helped Lucas to his feet, and Lucas’s arms shot up, and he turned toward the crowd triumphantly. The air rushed from Juliette’s lungs, relief flooding her as the crowd erupted into applause, cheers, and whistles.

By the time they made it to Lucas, the medics had finished their evaluation, and they were talking with Seeley. Juliette ran straight to Lucas, looking him up and down. “Baby, are you okay?” Behind her, the guys were asking the same thing.

“I’m fine. Did you see me ride? I’m in the lead!” he exclaimed.

“We all saw it,” she said. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart, but are you sure you’re not hurt? What happened out there?”

“I got the wind knocked out of me. It’s not a big deal,” Lucas said, as the rest of Seeley’s family caught up to them.

“You didn’t get the wind knocked out of you,” Seeley said sternly, and turned to Juliette and the others. “He got knocked out. The medics cleared him, but we’re going for a CAT scan, just to be on the safe side.”

“Aw, come on!” Lucas complained. “I’m not even dizzy.”

“You were knocked out?” Juliette asked with renewed panic. “Why did you say you got the wind knocked out of you?”

“Because I knew you’d freak out,” Lucas said.

“That’s my job, Lucas. I’m your mother.”

“Lucas, honey,” Wynnie said. “It’s always better to be safe than sorry.”

“Tiny, tell them I’m fine,” Lucas pleaded.

“Son, your parents are both doctors. They know what’s best,” Tiny said firmly.

Lucas rolled his eyes. “They’re animal doctors.”

“Hey, you were out long enough that I want to be sure you’re okay. We’re going,” Seeley said, leaving no room for negotiation.

“Dude, you don’t mess with head injuries,” Dare said. “Trust me on that, Lucas. Billie still has gaps in her memory from a head injury she got over a year ago.”