Page 37 of Buck ’Em Cowgirl

Harleigh stood next to me, her hand resting lightly on the door, holding it open enough for a stream of warm, stale air to escape. She didn’t say anything, just waited, her blue eyes watching me carefully.

Deep breaths, I reminded myself. It’s not dirty. You’re not going to get sick. And even if you do, Harleigh will help you. You’re not alone.

My chest tightened as the thought of Mike wormed its way into my head. He would’ve already gone inside, leaving me to deal with this by myself. Harleigh was still here, still holding the door, her quiet presence grounding me in a way I desperately needed.

I clenched my fists, then slowly released them, shaking out my hands as if I could shake away the anxiety too. I took another deep breath and nodded at her.

“One step forward,” I whispered to myself as I stepped toward the door. Harleigh smiled, her silent encouragement enough to get me to cross the threshold.

12

Beau

“Beaudreau Banks,” Gatlin hollered from across the bar.

He strode over, his signature grin already in place. Gatlin was a bull rider who worked the rodeo circuit, which was a whole different world from the professional world Dalton and I were in.

“What the hell are you doing here, man?” I asked, shaking his hand firmly.

Dalton had already wandered off toward the bar, muttering under his breath about how I’d roped him into buying the first round. He’d been in a foul mood since Idaho, where he didn’t place and ended up going home empty-handed. The lack of a paycheck had him grumbling about money every chance he got, but he’d still come back with the beers.

“Got injured so I’m taking the week to rest,” Gatlin said casually, but I pulled back, narrowing my eyes at him.

“Get fucked, man. I am actually injured.” He burst into laughter before I could even open my mouth.

I shook my head, chuckling. “Didn’t say a word.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He waved me off. “Decided to come check out your little town for a bit. Your dad’s been helping me out with a few things, and he mentioned you were out here tonight.”

“No shit,” I said with a laugh, shaking my head. Gatlin always had a way of showing up unannounced, but somehow, it was never unwelcome.

Like Dalton, he was about ten years younger than me, but Gatlin’s life on the road with the rodeo gave him a certain kind of grit. While he dealt with the unpredictable chaos of the rodeo circuit, we worked on the bull riding tour, where the stakes were different, but the bulls were a little more unforgiving. The stakes might’ve been different, but at the end of the day, we were both chasing the same thing. Even if we gave each other shit about which side was better, it was always good to see him. It reminded me that, no matter the circuit, we were all cut from the same cloth.

“Big crowd here tonight,” Gatlin said, gesturing around the bar with a nod.

Dalton returned and handed me a beer. “Pool?”

I nodded, and the three of us made our way toward the pool table.

“I’m horny as fuck. There better be some new pussy tonight. I need to get laid,” Dalton announced, completely unbothered by his lack of subtlety.

“Sure don’t change, do you, Dalt?” Gatlin said, shaking his head and laughing as he grabbed a pool stick.

Gatlin racked up the balls while Dalton chalked his cue, still grinning like he hadn’t announced his personal business to the whole bar. I took a sip of my beer, leaning against the edge of the table as Gatlin broke, the crack of the balls echoing through the room.

“So, what’s next for you guys after this?” Gatlin asked, watching as a solid rolled neatly into a corner pocket.

“Oklahoma,” I said.

“World Championship’s creeping up fast,” Gatlin said, lining up his next shot. “You feeling ready?”

“Not like I have a choice,” I muttered.

“He’s third in the standing,” Dalton said, taking his turn and missing his shot entirely. He cursed under his breath. “Don’t let him tell you shit.”

Gatlin chuckled, sinking another ball with practiced precision. “Not bad.”

“Yeah, heard you’re doing well down South,” I said, eyeing him as I took a sip of my beer.