Rodeos (Black Gulch Ranch #7)

Chapter 1

Bored as hell

Sophia

I don’t remember it hurting this way when my mom died.

Maybe because I was ten when it happened? A car accident that I didn’t witness.

This?

Being in the house while it went up in flames.

Trying to find their door until the smoke got so thick I couldn’t breathe.

Dad, dragging me out even though I fought to stay.

I just needed a few more seconds.

They would have woken up.

Escaped.

Then Grandma and Grandpa would still be alive.

Fuck.

Over and over I replay that moment.

Screaming. Crying. Clawing at Dad to let me go.

Tugging the pillow over my head, I can’t turn off the memories.

It’s been a week since Christmas, how long will it replay so many times I’m caught in the loop?

I need a distraction.

Where in the hell is my e-reader?

My phone will work.

It’s even easier to fall into fiction now. Sometimes it’s the only way I can finally turn off my brain.

Uncle Dixon was nice enough to let us sleep in his house, but it’s getting more difficult.

I really don’t like that my room butts up against my dad’s. The last thing I want to hear is the undertones of what goes on in there.

Scrolling through the endless choices, I can’t decide what to read next.

So I flip over to the group chat for the book club.

RacingQueen: I need a recommendation for something that will grab me fast!

Tara: I just finished a werewolf one that was wild…

RacingQueen: Nah, I read one last week. Maybe contemporary and sweet?

I’m done with werewolves for a little while. That book was so unrealistic I couldn’t get into it.

Or maybe it was because I was struggling to read it Christmas night and now the fire has soured me on any creatures?

TheBigO: I’m in the middle of a secret agent one…

Oh look, the new guy. I don’t even think he reads romance?

RacingQueen: Does it have smut?

His icon pops up as if he’s writing, but it drops again before his single word reply shows.

TheBigO: No.

I have zero patience for anything without spice.

RacingQueen: Boring.

TheBigO: I dunno. It’s fast paced. You might like it if you try it?

My lips purse as I stare up at the ceiling. I seriously wonder why he’s even in this chat? Almost everything we talk about in here has steamy or spicy scenes.

Tara: You should know better, he never reads it.

RacingQueen: He doesn’t know what he’s missing!

TheBigO: I don’t believe in it.

Wait, what?

RacingQueen: In romance? Or smut?

TheBigO: Romance.

Wow. He sounds like a peach.

That makes me snort.

RacingQueen: You should try it. I bet your significant other would appreciate it.

TheBigO: I’m single.

It wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that part out.

I don’t know anything about him, except that he joined quietly a couple of months ago, yet won’t go to any of the in person meetings.

He’s pretty quiet most of the time, but occasionally has a sarcastic comment or two to add.

Hell, I don’t even know how old he is. He might be like eighty and want to read old World War Two novels?

Tara: What about hockey?

RacingQueen: Not tonight. Too many moving sticks.

TheBigO: I still vote for this spy novel.

Knowing he doesn’t like romances, I almost want to fuck with him now.

I need someone new to pick on. Ever since Sawyer moved in with Val, it’s boring around here.

I miss hanging out with my brother.

If nothing else, I can keep myself entertained trying to sway this new guy to the dark side.

RacingQueen: I’ll make you a deal. I’ll read your pick if you try one of mine?

His icon flashes a few times, then disappears.

Did I push too far?

TheBigO: Okay. But I’m gonna test you to make sure you really read it.

I’m no liar.

Yet his little kernel of doubt sets my teeth on edge. I’ll ace every question.

Just to prove it to him.

RacingQueen: You know that’s gonna work both ways now, right?

TheBigO: I figured.

I need to find the raunchiest book to send to him.

Shit, I’ll probably be giving some old man a heart attack.

RacingQueen: Bring it on. Send me the title.

When the private message from him pops up with the direct link for an espionage series, I roll my eyes.

I’m determined to absorb every detail of this new story.

So I guess the plan worked? It doesn’t take long before I’m sucked into the world of spies and intrigue.

And for at least tonight, I forget where I am.