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I let out a surprised yelp as I’m lifted clean off my feet and spun around before being placed back down and pulled into Chace’s strong arms. He holds me tight against him and plants a kiss on my lips, adrenaline still pumping through him.

“You’re in so much fucking trouble later, Sunshine.”

I laugh, shoving at his chest with absolutely no intention of going anywhere. “What? Scared I was going to show off the goods?”

“My goods,” he corrects before kissing me again, and my entire insides melt at the declaration.

When he pulls away, he looks at me for a long moment, like there’s something else sitting right there on the tip of his tongue. Then he clears his throat and looks away, changing course before whatever it was can come out. “So that’s it. I collect this check, and I’ve got enough for at least the next year of Nana’s expenses. Plenty of time to figure out something else.”

Finally, this whole shady deal with Cole can be put to rest. If I never have to see that man again, it’ll be too soon. “We’ll figure it out. You’ve been putting in a lot of time with the stock contractors. Maybe something will come from that. Did you tell Cole you’re done after tonight?” I ask as he pulls out his phone.

“No, not yet. I will tomorrow. We still gotta load up these bulls and get out of here before the crowd gets too rowdy.” He grabs my hand and pulls me toward the pens.

For the last two weeks, I’ve been with Chace every time he comes to one of these undergrounds to ride. I’ve helped with strength exercises for his shoulder during the day, worked through his stretches with him, taped him up before rides, and bandaged him when he’s done. I have never been so glad to see something end in my life. In return, Chace has found me multiple jackpots to compete in, and I’ve placed well in every one.

When we’re not prepping for our own rides, tending to Dusty, or taking care of basic needs, we’ve been finding things to do together outside of the rodeo. Last week, we went on another spectacular hike around the most gorgeous lake. Two days ago, we spent the afternoon at a local carnival with Wyatt and a few others from the circuit. Being with Chace comes with a level of socializing I’m not normally prone to, but somehow, I’ve been having a great time despite myself.

We’re in Anyton this week for the last leg before the finals, and I’m starting the weekend in twentieth. If I do well, I’ll make the finals, and we can head off to Billings after the party.

By the time we pull into the parking lot a few miles outside the fairgrounds for the bull drop-off, it’s already well after one a.m. But instead of the burly guy who normally meets us here, Cole himself steps out of the truck waiting for us. Great. I guess I spoke too soon about never wanting to see him again, because clearly the universe had other plans for us tonight. I wonder what the fuck he wants.

Chace clearly thinks the same thing, because he gives me a look before sighing and reaching for the door handle.

“I can come with you,” I offer.

“No. It’s late. Just sit tight. I can handle Cole; I have been most of my life. I won’t be long.” With that, he opens the door and circles around the front of the truck to greet Cole, who’s waiting for him.

I can’t make out what they’re saying from in here, but there doesn’t seem to be any hostility between them. Still, when Chace reaches up and rubs the back of his neck — that nervous tick he has when he’s unsure about something — I immediately wish I hadn’t agreed to stay in the truck. Cole’s body language seems off too. Not angry. Almost… nervous? What the hell could they possibly be talking about that would make Cole Maddox, of all people, seem uneasy?

Before long, they’re shaking hands, and Chace is making his way back to the truck. “That was odd,” he says as he slams the door and looks over at me.

“What did he say? You’re not going to keep doing this, are you?” I mean, he can do whatever he wants, but I’d rather it wasn’t on the back of a bull with his bad shoulder.

“No, no. Nothing like that.” He pauses. “He actually seemed to expect that. But he did offer me something else.” He looks over at me, gauging my reaction.

“Okay. And?” This can’t be good.

“He said his stock contractor just resigned, and he’s looking for a new one. Said he’s seen how good I am with the bulls. Wondered if maybe I’d consider coming to work for him. Legitimately. As an employee.”

“Why would he do that?” I mean, I know Chace is good with the livestock, and I’ll admit I’ve even thought he’d do great in that kind of position someday, but Chace has no real experience doing it professionally. Normally, cowboys work their way up to a position like this. Something about Cole offering it to him out of nowhere feels off.

“Yeah. I don’t know. It seems on the up and up,” Chace answers. “Or he could be up to something; I don’t know. I didn’t accept. I told him I’d think about it, and he said he’d send over a contract for me to review.”

He looks at me like he’s expecting me to decide for him. Like I’m supposed to tell him no. “I won’t lie, Chace. I don’t trust him. But it can’t hurt to look the contract over, right?”

“Yeah, maybe you’re right, but he and Eli have bad blood. Not so sure he’d see it the same way,” he admits, instantly dismissing the idea the second he starts worrying about what my brother might think.

For some reason, that pisses me off. “Who cares what my brother thinks, Chace? This is your life. He doesn’t get a say in your future.”

The words hang between us, and suddenly we’re not talking about Cole anymore, and we both know it.

We just look at each other for a long moment, the truck idling beneath us, neither of us willing to say the thing we’ve been avoiding for weeks.

When he finally speaks, he looks me dead in the eyes. “I care what my best friend thinks about me working for a guy who’s made his life difficult for years. Yes, I care what he thinks about that, Addie.” He moves closer, tipping my chin until I’m looking directly at him. “But if you think I give two shits what he has to say about this...” His thumb brushes slowly over my cheek, the softness of the touch completely at odds with the look in his eyes. “Then I haven’t been clear enough with you.”

Without hesitation, he swoops in and kisses me— hard. “Because you?” His forehead rests against mine when he pulls back. “You’re mine, and I don’t give a fuck what anyone has to say about it.”

Tears well behind my eyes before I can stop them as the weight of what he just said settles through me.