Chapter 8 #2
Jax shakes his head. "You're about to learn a lesson about cockiness, son."
"Noted," I state, then swing my leg over the bull's back. I grip the braided rope and brace myself.
Bucky spits chewing tobacco on the ground, taunting, "Good luck, Wyatt. It's been nice knowing you."
I ignore him.
"Three, two, one," Jax roars. Then he releases the lever, and the gate disappears.
The bull explodes into the ring, jerks hard to the left, and I'm airborne. I slam into the dirt near the fence, tailbone first, and the pain lights up my spine like a damn firework. I'm pretty sure I just cracked my ass in half.
Dust suffocates me as Snarlhide kicks, trying to fight off Bucky's and Matrix's lassoes. Cornered between the bull and the fence, I cover my head, dazed, aching, and flat-out stunned by the sting.
"Get up, Wyatt!" Jax booms, pulling me out of my trance.
Even though it's painful, I somehow make it to my feet and to the other side of the fence.
I get into the safety zone and lean against the rail, my ass throbbing like nothing I've ever felt before.
The adrenaline pumping through me slows as I curse myself, staring at the bull who still isn't contained.
Jax steps next to me, chuckling. "Guess I should have put some money on that two-second bet."
I don't look at him. I can't.
Don't be a pussy, I tell myself.
As hurt as I am, I steel my resolve and lock my gaze on him. "I'm ready to go again."
He arches his eyebrow and moves his toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other. "Son, there's no way you're getting back on that bull today."
"I can do it," I tell him, so disappointed that I didn't even last two seconds.
"No. Go home and ice up. Luke is at the hospital since his wife is in labor, so he can’t look at you. Have Macklin take some X-rays and send the report to me."
"Give me another shot. I'll do it," I argue, not wanting to meet with the PT and lose my shot at trying again.
"Not today," he sternly says, then points to my Bronco.
I clench my jaw as I glance at the bull one more time.
How did I let that happen?
"Get that cockiness out of you, and I’ll see you back here on Friday."
I look at him in surprise. "Friday?"
"You're done for a couple of days. You're going to be pretty bruised and sore after that toss, so get into the ice tub. Now, go," he says sternly.
With disappointment searing through me, I obey. I spend the drive to the Cartwright ranch, grimacing over every pothole I can't avoid.
I pull up, and Ava rings the bell for dinner. I go inside with the others, sit down, and try to hide my pain.
"What's wrong, Wyatt?" Ruby asks.
Everyone's attention turns to me.
"Nothing," I lie, shaking my head.
She studies me. "You're wincing. Did you get hurt at practice today?"
Embarrassment washes over me. I avoid looking at Willow.
"Well, she asked you a question," Jacob interjects.
I clear my throat and lock my eyes with Ruby's. "Sorry, ma'am. I fell off the bull pretty hard. I'm okay, though."
She turns to Jagger. "You're doing barn duty for Wyatt tonight. You can trade with him one of your days."
"No, that's not necessary," I say, not meeting Willow's eye, hating that I'm not going to be alone with her tonight.
Jacob interjects once more. "I'm assuming that Jax told you to ice yourself tonight."
I turn toward him with a sigh. "Yes, sir, he did."
"Okay, then it's decided. Jagger, you're on barn duty. Wyatt, you're icing."
Like the rest of the Cartwrights, I don't dare say no to Jacob.
He orders, "Eat up, and we'll go to the therapy room after dinner."
"Yes, sir," I reply, still avoiding Willow's stare. I shove my mashed potatoes in my mouth, barely tasting them.
When I finally meet Willow's gaze, I'm hit with a wave of frustration and dejection.
I concentrate on my food, not engaging in conversation. I'm unable to get comfortable in the wooden chair because of the consistent throbbing of my ass.
After dessert, Jacob rises. "Let's get you in the ice bath, Wyatt."
"Have fun," Mason quips.
I ignore him as I stand, trying not to wince, and then follow Jacob through the house. We step outside into the warm early summer air.
He asks, "How many seconds did you last?"
Shame fills me as I admit, "Maybe one."
He chuckles.
"No offense, but I don't find it amusing," I grouse.
"Jax said you were getting cocky. Guess it was meant to happen."
"Sorry, but what does he want me to do? Go on the bull and be scared of him?"
Jacob stops. He pins his steely gaze on me.
I cross my arms and don't flinch, preparing myself for a lecture.
He asks, "When you came to me and wanted to ride, what's the first rule I told you?"
I grind my molars, cringing inside.
One of his brows curves upward, amused yet unimpressed.
I shift on my feet, and a sharp pain runs down the back of my leg. I clench my jaw to get through the sting, and admit, "Always respect the bull."
"Arrogance overshadows respect." He lets his lecture linger in the air for a moment and then makes his way into the therapy room.
I follow him, holding in my wince as I climb the porch steps and go inside. The wood creaks under my boots, and the ranch hands' voices echo around the room, bouncing off the metal tubs.
"Boss," Kit, a newer horse jockey with blond hair and freckles, booms, standing to attention.
"Kit. How's your ankle?" Jacob inquires.
"Should be healed up in another week," Macklin, the ranch physical therapist, interjects.
"Great. That tub free?" Jacob points to a tub in the corner.
"Yep. Something happen?" Macklin asks, looking at me.
I shake my head. "Nothing much. Just got tossed and need to ice."
Jacob grunts and exchanges an amused expression with Macklin.
"Well, get in," Macklin orders.
I carefully strip out of my jeans, clenching my teeth so hard at the pain, I think I might crack one.
When I finally get them off, I step into the tub and dunk my body as soon as possible, knowing it's best to shock my nerves quickly and all at once.
I lean back against the metal and close my eyes as my body turns cold and numb.
As I lie here, my thoughts circle back to what Jacob said.
Is he right about me being too cocky?
No. I always respect the bull.
Maybe I didn't as much as I should have?
The debate continues until the alarm rings. I open my eyes, push myself to my feet, and grab the towel off the hook. I step out and wrap it around my body.
"Let's get a quick X-ray," Macklin suggests.
"I'm fine," I state, wanting to get out of here and head over to the barn to catch Willow before she leaves.
"Do what he says," Jacob orders.
I sigh, then walk toward the X-ray room.
Macklin comes behind me, shuts the door, and directs me on how to stand, then says, "Don't move."
There's a click.
He makes me turn twice, then states, "Yep. You're going to have a big bruise for a while."
I grunt.
"Okay, all good on my part," he announces.
I return to the main room, and Jacob holds out a pair of sweatpants. "These will feel better than jeans right now."
I don't argue, and carefully slide into the sweats.
Macklin booms, "Your ass is intact. No fractures. You're just going to be sore for a while. I'd tell Jax to give you a week off."
"I'll be fine," I declare, still upset Jax told me to skip a day. The only way I'll make it on the main circuit is to practice and get through the levels. I pull my T-shirt over my head and then ask Jacob, "Am I excused now?"
"Yes. But you should listen to Macklin," he asserts.
"I'll take it under advisement. Thank you," I say to Macklin, then slide into my boots. Before anyone can say anything else, I move as quickly as possible and head out the door.
I make my way across the yard toward the barn.
Jagger steps past the wooden door, stating, "Just in time. How are you feeling?"
I groan, still embarrassed I got tossed so quickly and the entire family knows. "Still numb from the ice bath, but no biggie. Hey, I'm sorry you had to cover tonight. I'll take one of your days to pay you back."
Jagger shrugs. "No worries. What are you doing out here anyway? You're not moving too fast."
"I forgot my pocket knife in the barn. I'll be back in the house soon," I lie.
"All right. I have to start homework. I really can't wait until school's over," he says.
"Me too, bro," I agree.
He takes off, and I step into the barn, praying that Willow's inside. I walk down the row of stalls until I come to the one that's open, freezing at the sight before me.
She's brushing Vandal. He's wild and unruly. Everyone on the ranch thought he was impossible to break, but it took her coming to the barn and talking to him every day for him to eventually calm down enough to ride him.
Thinking back, that was the moment I knew Willow was special, but I still saw her as Jagger's little sister. Now, no matter how hard I try to return to that place, I can't.
I lean against a post. She doesn't see me watching, but I can't look away. Hay dusts her jeans. Several locks of hair have escaped her loose ponytail. The more I stare, the more I'm convinced she's not just taming her horse. She's taming every part of me I swore was untouchable.
My heart races the same way it does before I get on a bull.
She brushes him like she's got all the time in the world.
I watch her like an idiot. Flames dance across my previously chilled skin. And I realize I'm ruined. I've never wanted anything more than to be the one she touches so carefully, with so much certainty. Like I'm hers.
And God help me, I think I already am.
She slowly turns. Her breath hitches and her blues widen when she catches sight of me. Her voice barely rises above a whisper when she says, "I thought you weren't coming."