Page 7 of Buck ’Em Cowgirl

I turned on the water, lathered my hands, and went through my routine—methodical and grounding. Once I finished, I stepped into my bedroom and grabbed my white bag. Inside, I double-checked everything: anti-diarrheal, anti-nausea meds, headache pills, hand sanitizer, soap cloths that only needed water—because soap was always better than sanitizer. Everything was there. Everything I needed to feel a little more in control.

“Ready?” Harleigh called from the living room, stretching out on the couch. She grimaced, shifting uncomfortably. “Also, this couch sucks.”

I laughed, the sound bubbling up and spilling out before I could stop it. “It sucks so bad.”

She grinned at me, but her eyes were steady, like she could see more than I was letting on.

I wasn’t ready. I didn’t think I ever would be, but I was going to try.

Harleigh jingled her keys as we stepped out of the apartment, our boots clicking against the pavement as we made our way to her truck. I climbed into the passenger seat and clutched my bag, making sure it didn’t touch the ground. The cab smelled faintly of leather and her favorite vanilla air freshener.

“Got everything?” she asked, glancing over at me as she buckled her seat belt.

“Yeah.”

“Yeehaw,” she said with a grin, starting the engine.

The truck rumbled to life, and we pulled out onto the road, the city lights blurring by as we headed toward the arena.

The closer we got, the more the familiar nervous energy built in my chest.

Harleigh must’ve noticed, because she reached over and gave my knee a quick squeeze. “You’re good, Fable. We’ve got this.”

“This is everything I worked for over the last year, everything we worked for.”

“I know, and this is a celebration of all the fruits of our labor. We have Jessica running point at the arena already. John is going to be there after we arrive, and my dad is there making sure the banners for Bucking Energy are hanging in their positions.”

I sighed. “Thanks. I actually have no idea where I’d be without you.”

She turned and beamed at me. “Love you always, babe.”

We arrived early, the parking lot already filled with trucks and trailers, country music playing faintly from speakers somewhere in the distance. Our backstage passes made the whole process seamless—we were ushered through the private suite entrance by a staff member, bypassing the crowds and noise of the main entry.

Inside, we’d been in the space a hundred times to make sure everything was exactly where we needed. Our influencers were already there and taking content. I waved to them, promising to come back. We stood near the announcer’s setup, where a BBQ buffet had been laid out, complete with all the fixings. It looked great, but there was no way I was touching it. Still, the effort was appreciated.

Harleigh nudged me as we glanced around. “Not bad, huh?”

I managed a small smile. “Yeah. Not bad.”

Mike was in a private room somewhere in the back, getting ready. He’d left in a hurry this morning, mumbling something about soundchecks and set lists. I wasn’t sure I’d see him before he went onstage, but that was fine by me.

We were chatting about nothing in particular when a booming voice cut through the buzz of the room.

“Well, I’ll be damned. If it ain’t my girl Harleigh and her friend,” the man said, striding over.

I turned to see a large, stocky man wearing a cowboy hat big enough to shadow his entire face. He had a broad smile, a round belly, and the kind of presence that demanded attention.

“Dad.” Harleigh lit up, throwing her arms around him.

He patted her back, his laugh hearty and warm. “Good to see you, sweetheart.”

She pulled back, gesturing toward me. “Dad, this is Fable. She’s my boss, but also my best friend. Fable, this is my dad, Roger.”

Roger tipped his hat to me, his eyes crinkling with a kind smile. “Harleigh’s been talking about you nonstop. Said you’ve got a head for this kind of stuff.”

I smiled politely, shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Harris, but it’s Harls who has been the one doing most of the legwork here.”

“Roger.” He corrected me. “None of that mister nonsense. I’m here to support my girl and her boss. Harleigh needed a plus-one, so I figured I’d tag along.”