Page 48 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“You…” She shook her head. “Don’t say another word.”

He laughed.

With that sinful thought in her head, she turned her attention to Lucas’s practice, trying not to let herself get carried away.

When it came to her and Seeley, she sucked at that, too.

They cheered on the other kids, and Seeley made comments about their form and how well they did. When it was Lucas’s turn, Seeley hollered, “Show that bull who’s boss!”

As always happened when her son climbed onto a bull, her heart raced and she prayed he wouldn’t get hurt. The bull charged out of the chute, and she tried to focus on Lucas and not the emotions stacking up inside her as Seeley cheered him on with pride in his eyes.

“Attaboy! He’s got a hell of a grip. Look at him.” Lucas was right-handed, and the bull was bucking left. “He’s fucking phenomenal.”

“Like you were—” The bull bucked Lucas off, and she gasped.

Seeley white-knuckled the metal rail in front of them like he was stopping himself from leaping over it, his jaw clenched tight, eyes locked on their boy. Lucas popped to his feet, and Seeley’s breath rushed from his lungs as Lucas ran out of the ring.

“Damn.” Seeley put his hand over his heart. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

“What?” She knew what she felt every time Lucas climbed on a bull, but since Seeley had ridden, too, she wondered what he was going to say.

“Stone-cold fear. He’s an excellent rider, but man.” He took off his cowboy hat and raked a hand through his hair, breathing deeply as he settled it back on his head. “Now I know why my mother used to say she lost a year of her life every time I climbed on a bull.”

“At least they wear helmets and face guards now. It’s hard to believe I could watch you out there when I was sixteen and not be scared for your life. I thought you were the coolest guy around.”

“Well, darlin’, you weren’t wrong.”

She laughed. “You definitely haven’t lost that cockiness.”

“Maybe you bring it out in me.” He leaned in like he was going to kiss her but stopped short. “Shit. Sorry.”

She couldn’t help but love that, too.

As they watched the rest of the practice, Seeley had the same white-knuckled reaction each time Lucas was thrown off. It made her feel a little better knowing she wasn’t alone in that fear. When practice ended, they made their way over to the group. Lucas was busy talking with the other kids.

Buck, a barrel-chested Black man and the best bull-riding coach around, headed their way, his gaze moving curiously between Juliette and Seeley. “Well, if this isn’t just like old times. Good to see you, Doc.” Buck shook Seeley’s hand.

“Nice to see you, too, Buck,” Seeley said.

Juliette saw Lucas walking their way, his smile replaced with a tight jaw. She hoped she hadn’t made the wrong decision by letting Seeley stay.

“They looked good out there,” Seeley said. “You’ve got a good group of riders on your hands.”

“They’re getting better every day,” Buck said.

Lucas joined them, eyeing Seeley. “What’re you doing here?”

“Lucas,” Juliette chided.

Buck arched a brow.

“I came to talk with your mother and decided to stay to watch you ride,” Seeley explained. “You’re a hell of a rider.”

Lucas didn’t respond.

“That’s a high compliment coming from this guy.” Buck clapped a hand on Seeley’s shoulder.

Lucas scoffed.