25. Wyatt
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
wyatt
My girl is a badass.
This week has been eye opening on so many levels.
Jules has been training nonstop, so Beck and I have taken on Charlotte’s care while also spending time at the training center, and Kash has jumped right in and become her righthand man.
Watching our girl transform into JJ Wilde is a sight to behold.
It’s left me out here damn near walking around with a pole in my pants.
Having to hide that shit from an inquisitive three-year-old is not ideal, let me tell you.
While Jules and JJ are one in the same, a switch flips the second she enters the arena, and the persona she’s spent years perfecting is even more awe-inducing. The fact that she’s ours…
Mind blowing.
By the time she returns to the guest house each night and slides into our bed, she’s exhausted, but without thought or complaint, she opens herself up to us, letting us make love to her until she falls right into a deep sleep.
She says it’s her favorite bedtime ritual, and I can’t say I disagree.
Now, the moment she’s worked so hard for is finally here.
We’re in Houston for the Women’s Rodeo Finals, standing with her just beyond the box where the rider and horse wait their turn.
Silver chaps with beaded flowers and matching fringe outline her long, muscular legs, while her silver-jeweled button-down sparkles under the bright lights of the arena.
Her matching hat and boots are the final pieces to the JJ Wilde puzzle, and I can honestly say she’s so much hotter up close and personal.
Knowing I have the right to be here in that little bubble is like crack to an addict.
Of course, she’s gaining curious stares from the rest of the attendees for a couple of reasons.
One, the other contestants are dressed much more modestly, in simple jeans and button-downs.
No sparkles, no fringe, and definitely no glitter.
The second? Well… This is the first time people are seeing the true JJ Wilde, and without a wig or makeup, most of them aren’t even aware of who she really is.
“You sure about this, little mama?” my brother asks with Charlotte in his arms.
Our little girl is wearing an outfit to match her mama’s, all silver tulle and jewels, with matching silver cowgirl boots and hat—courtesy of some help from Grandma Mia.
Us guys are sporting black tees with Team Wilde on the front and a large number one on the back.
What better way to rep our girl and prove we’re hers?
“It’s time I stepped out of the shadows. This is me. I want everyone to know who I am as well as the pack I’ve got supporting me from the sidelines.”
His purr damn near rumbles the floor beneath our feet, but I don’t blame him. She’s publicly claiming us, and I’m so fucking proud I almost want to cry.
Her hand trails down the buttons on my shirt, drawing me back under her spell. “How do I look, pretty boy?”
Slowly sliding my eyes up and down her body, I bite my bottom lip. “Like my every fantasy come to life.”
“What’s a fantasy?” Charlotte asks, her little nose scrunched up.
Beck shoots me a dirty look but simply smiles at his daughter. “Kinda like a dream, but better.”
Jules snorts. “Just diggin’ yourself a grave there, Daddy.”
“You almost ready?” Kash asks as he walks up.
There’s tension in his shoulders that wasn’t there earlier and a tightness to his jaw that doesn’t make sense. I saw him no more than fifteen minutes ago, and dude was smiling. The second I get him alone, I need to figure out what’s got his britches in a twist.
But the second he’s close to Jules, all of that evaporates.
His eyes skim over her body in a way that is anything but platonic, and I wonder how long they can keep pretending they're not into each other. The sexual tension when they’re in the same room gives me a hard-on every single fucking time, and I’m a Beta.
Jules nods. “It’s now or never.”
“You’ve got this. Just tune out the noise, trust in Calamity, and you’ll break records.”
It’s been interesting, seeing this side of Kash.
In all the years we’ve been pack, I didn’t know the man knew more than a horse’s head from its ass.
Turns out, dude’s been holding back on us.
He’s been right by her side—sometimes on horseback with a rope in his hand—supporting Jules’ training efforts, and it’s easy to see the friendship they used to share and how close they once were.
“Thanks, Daisy. I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
He coughs, then releases an awkward chuckle. “Not that ol’ nickname.”
“Didn’t think I’d forgotten about it, did ya? Kinda impossible when you spent three days coated in calamine lotion all because you waded through a patch of poison ivy to pick daisies so you could make me a crown with them. Pretty sure Gran still has the picture somewhere.”
Beck and I burst out laughing.
“Shut the hell up, you two,” Kash grumbles.
“Sure thing, Daisy,” I choke out between breaths, my hands hitting my knees as I damn near lose it again. “Poison ivy?”
“A daisy crown?” Beck rasps.
Jules looks between the two of us with her brows furrowed. “What’s so funny?”
Taking a deep breath, I try to draw in oxygen.
“Gramps called him that when we first got into town, and Kash told us some story of how he was bucked off a horse named Daisy and fell into a pile of horse shit, so the nickname stuck. You know, like fresh as a daisy , made funnier with the horse’s name being Daisy. ”
“Turns out the reality is so much better.” Beck chuckles.
“But I like daisies,” Charlotte asserts, looking over at Kash seriously. “It’s okay, Mr. Kash. Maybe you can make me a daisy crown just like Mama’s?”
He boops her on the nose. “Anything for you, jelly bean.”
Jules’ eyes twinkle. “Aww, it would be so cute! We could recreate the picture. Just need to stop by the store and pick up a bottle of calamine.”
Kash plants his hands on his hips, his head dropping back with a groan. “I’m never going to live this down, am I?”
I slap him on the shoulder. “Definitely not, Daisy .”
“Alright, alright.” He shoos me away. “June bug needs to go to the box. She’s up next.”
Beck leans forward, kissing our girl’s forehead. “You’ve got this, little mama.”
As soon as my brother steps back, I grab her hand and pull her into me, pressing a searing kiss on her lips. I’m pleased to see a healthy flush spread across her cheeks when I pull away, and her scent takes on that sweetness that gets me every time. “Go kick some ass, hotshot.”
“Y’all are gonna be the death of me,” she mutters, shaking it off and straightening her shirt. Then she smiles, and I swear, my heart fucking stops. That will never get old. “See you when I beat my record.”
“Good luck, Mama!” Charlotte says, blowing Jules a kiss.
“Thanks, baby. Cheer for me extra loud, okay?”
Our little girl nods excitedly, then Jules turns and heads for the box. The effect is immediate. From Jules to JJ in a blink, she puts her game face on as we watch her get in position as the announcer calls out the next competitors on deck for the barrel racing competition.
“Up next, we’ve got an exciting treat for you all.
The infamous JJ Wilde from Darling, Arizona is here tonight.
She’ll be attempting to beat her own record in this event, setting herself up for a long-awaited comeback as she fights to earn back her spot at the top of women’s rodeo.
Her pack is also here supporting her, and if she’s successful, she’ll be holding interviews after the event. ”
From a distance, I see her mount Calamity, rubbing the horse’s neck and leaning in to say something that’s impossible to hear from here. Calamity prances a little as JJ holds her steady, like even she can feel the excitement in the air.
“Some of you might have noticed that JJ might look a little different. I’ve been told that what you see tonight is the real JJ Wilde, and she wants everyone to know it.”
Then, with incredible speed, they take off out of the box and head for the first barrel, JJ’s heels guiding the horse through the turn and sprinting toward the next.
Horse and rider seamlessly circle the second barrel, making it look easy as they round it and head for the third.
With Calamity’s reins in her hands, JJ spurs the horse into motion as they come out of the turn, heading back to the box.
The crowd waits for the time to splash across the screen, and I swear to Christ, I’m not breathing. If the announcer doesn’t say something soon, my brother might be lifting me right off the dirt floor.
“And she’s done it, ladies and gentlemen! JJ Wilde just broke her record with a time of twelve seven twenty-two.”
“Whoop!” I shout, jumping into the air with my hat in my hand.
Beck and Charlotte are cheering loudly while Kash claps and stares at the woman I know he’s in love with.
“She was fantastic out there,” I say, nudging him with my elbow.
“She always was, even when we were kids.” There’s a wistful note in his voice that doesn’t go unnoticed. What will it take to get these two to officially kiss and make up?
“Hey, what was wrong earlier?”
“What do you mean?” he asks.
“Just seemed like you ate somethin’ sour, is all.”
He glances back at Jules before tension straightens his shoulders. “Jack called. He knows we’re in Darling.”
Beck steps closer. “We knew he’d find out, and we’re prepared.”
“We weren’t prepared for her,” Kash murmurs.
Not ready to focus on what lies ahead of us, I look up at the big screen. Jules’ face is splashed up there, freckles free and smile wide. I swear my heart damn near beats its way out of my chest.
That girl right there? She’s mine, and soon everyone will know it, including Jack Ford.