Chapter 16
Fifteen
Quinn
When I raced off the dirt, Hook shaking with the thrill of the ride, the last person I expected to see was my mother.
I was hoping for Wyatt, even though I knew he was in the box, I had a feeling he would rush to find me—it had become our thing after all—but my mother derailed that the second she came into my view.
The word congratulations didn’t even pass her lips. The first thing she said was, “Your father told me you were going to be here today; I was hoping to see you before you got on the back of a horse.”
I pursed my lips together, thinking to myself that was the last time I told my dad my schedule.
“You could have found me before my event,” I said in response. “I didn’t know you were going to be here.” I looked around. “Where’s your queen?”
She folded her arms over her chest. “She’s carrying the flag.”
I nodded. “That’s great, Mom.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you’d be here? I had to go searching for you.
I found your trailer before you.” My mom lectured, her voice stern as she looked down at me, even though we were the same height.
I couldn’t figure out what was hidden in her eyes.
Disapproval, hatred, despair? Anger. How many emotions could two eyes hold, and why did she have to be so good at hiding them?
“Mom,” I sighed, tightening my grip on Hook’s reins. “You know I’m doing this, you know I’m traveling this year to make it to the NFR, and you know I’ve signed up for major PRCA Rodeos—which this happens to be—”
“I think you should at least share your schedule with me. That way, I know where you’re going to be. Your father knows. I shouldn’t have to hear it second-hand from him. We used to do this together, Quinn.”
“No, Mom, we did—”
“Quinn!” I heard Wyatt’s voice boom overhead, saving me from whatever I was about to say to my mother. “Quinn!”
And just like that, my mother turned into the most perfect person on the planet.
And I guarantee it had everything to do with the man at my side.
Wyatt shook her hand as he gave her his award-winning smile, no doubt taken by her. “Yes, Ma’am, Wyatt Hartwell.”
“Your name has quite the reputation in the sport; there’s been talk about why a Hartwell hasn’t been seen this season yet.”
“Yeah, well, my brother is taking some time off to be with his wife and newborn, and I…well—” Dropping his chin, his smile faded. He let out a sigh before looking back up at my mom. “I’m here for Quinn. I’m sure you caught your daughter’s ride, though. Fan-fucking-tastic if you ask me.”
My eyes shot at my mom the same time she blinked back at Wyatt’s language, but her smile grew, and her eyes turned back to me. “Yes, of course,” she said, her voice rising by at least two notches. Fake as can be. “I’m always so thrilled to see her in action.”
Thrilled? To see me in action? Ha…no, there were more things she was interested in than watching me ride. She was there for her queen and, at that moment, Wyatt.
“What was my time, Mom?” I asked, my voice completely toneless.
“Oh, Quinn. You know it’s not about the time.” She reached her hand out to me, gently placing her palm on my arm.
“Actually, Mom, it’s all about the time,” I grumbled, tempted to jerk my arm away.
“Fifteen point six,” Wyatt answered for her. “Last night was a seventeen point nine, and the night before that was sixteen flat. She’s been coming in first all weekend and damn.” His eyes turned to me, catching my gaze for a split second. “She’s amazing to watch.”
My mom sighed, turning her attention back to Wyatt. “I would love to see your brother back. Do you know if he’s riding at all this year?”
Wyatt blinked. “I’m not traveling with him this year, couldn’t tell you what his plans are.”
My mom hummed. “Shame. But you—” She leaned in slightly, her attention now completely focused on Wyatt. “I’m sure you’ll be back in the announcer box soon, right? Rodeo is missing your voice.”
Wyatt flashed her another sideways smile, taking one step forward to grab Hook’s reins. “Maybe someday, but…not anytime soon.”
“I know Kelly would love to see you again. She speaks highly of you.”
I blinked and felt my entire body freeze. Kelly…and Wyatt?
Wyatt inhaled sharply, and a grin I hadn’t seen before lightly spread across his lips. “Kelly Fugal?”
My mother gave him a prideful gleam. “Miss Rodeo Montana.”
“Miss Rodeo Montana,” he repeated matter-of-factly, like he didn’t need to be reminded who she was.
I inhaled. Neither did I. Kelly Fugal already had my mother’s attention; she didn’t need Wyatt’s as well. But then my mother said—
“She said you used to date?”
My head flipped to Wyatt, probably a lot faster than it should have. His gaze caught mine, a single eyebrow raising to his forehead. He cleared his throat.
“We went on a few dates,” Wyatt answered, rolling his shoulders as his body shifted back towards me. “It wasn’t meant to be, obviously. She’s sweet, though. Will you tell her I say hi?”
“Of course.” My mom smiled.
Wyatt gave her a nod. “Quinn, I’ll get Charming unsaddled and in the trailer for you.” Wyatt pulled the reins from me, and I reluctantly let him, his eyes meeting mine for the briefest moment.
If I could’ve screamed at him to stay, I would’ve, but all I did was close off, my arms folding across my chest as he took a few steps away from me.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Compton.” His attention turned to me. “See you at the trailer.”
I nodded back to him, not saying a word.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hartwell,” Mom called after Wyatt, who simply turned and gave her another smile.
Once he was out of earshot, she took a step closer to me. “A Hartwell,” she whispered. “Quinn, you didn’t tell me you were traveling with a Hartwell. I knew they lived in Alpine Crest—”
“Ridge, Mom. Alpine Ridge.” I corrected her. She didn’t even take notice.
“But I had no idea you were close with them. This could help you. And are you dating him? Honey, that’s—”
“The farthest thing from the truth.” I took a step back from her. “Wyatt is just…” I paused. What was Wyatt exactly? My horse’s assistant? A rodeo hand? I rolled my shoulders and picked the easiest answer. “He’s a friend.”
“Oh, honey.” She stood up straight. “The way he was eyeing you, you two are more than friends. Even mentioning Kelly didn’t turn his eyes away from you. That’s a good thing; he could help you—”
“Help me what, Mom?” I snapped, knowing exactly what she was going to say.
He’s a Hartwell. He’s well known in rodeo. Was he that well known to be able to have sway with the judges? Changing times wasn't common, but it did happen. She saw him only as a way to help me climb the ranks, just by being his girlfriend.
“I don’t need help. In any way. He came to take care of the horses so I could focus on riding,” I bit out. “I’m doing this on my own.”
Her lips pursed as she stepped away, the almost joyful expression on her face turning back into that unreadable emotion—that time mixed with dissatisfaction.
I won tonight. Scored the best I had all weekend, and the only thing she cared about was my social standing.
Who I was dating. How I was getting to the top of the leaderboards.
It didn’t even phase her that I did all of that, that I got myself there.
I trained. I worked. I pushed. I did whatever it took. And she didn’t care in the slightest.
I bit the inside of my lip to stop myself from saying anything more.
“Apparently,” she finally began, breaking the silence, “you can’t.
He’s here to help you, right? I’m assuming because you’re still healing from that injury last year?
You can’t do everything because you’re slower?
He’s unsaddling your horse, getting him in the trailer, and he’s probably going to go collect your check.
Can’t you see that you aren’t doing this on your own?
You’re keeping him from his career just because you are too stubborn to admit defeat and stop while you’re ahead. ”
I flinched. I? Was keeping…him…from his career?
“Mom, I…” I choked. “I have to go.”
“Oh, come now, Quinn…” She dropped her arms to her side, her bracelets jingling against her jeans.
But I didn’t stay. I blocked out her voice and walked away.
She shouted my name a few times, but I held my shoulders as high as I could and made my way through the crowd to my trailer.
I wanted out of there. I wanted to crawl under the covers again and forget this entire encounter had happened.
I won tonight. That’s all I needed to focus on.
But the only thing running through my head as I stepped closer and closer to my truck was the fact that she was more interested in the man by my side than my own accomplishments. The only way I would get anywhere was if Wyatt helped…no…not just Wyatt—a Hartwell.
Nothing I did was good enough, was it?
Not for her, at least…
I climbed into the driver’s seat of my truck and turned the engine over. I could feel Wyatt’s eyes on me from the passenger seat, the concern that flooded him basically palpable. I swallowed and met his gaze.
And as much as I hated to admit it, I saw Miss Rodeo Montana. Did he want to be with her right now?
“Tonight would be a good night to go out, huh? I bet you’re wishing April…or even Kelly…were here.” I said softly, holding back the tears that wanted to come out.
He heaved a sigh, lifting his hand to my hair, lightly tucking it behind my ear.
“I’m not going anywhere tonight, Quinn. Didn’t you hear? I’m here for you.”