26. Juliette
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
juliette
As we head into the last event, the energy in the arena is contagious. It feels damn good to be back and winning. I felt confident heading into the finals, but beating my own records in two events? That was the cherry on top of a rodeo sundae.
I’m running my hands down Calamity’s hindlegs, checking to make sure she’s in top shape for the last event, when I hear Charlotte’s voice above the din of the crowd.
“Mama!”
My daughter’s in Kash’s arms as he walks up to me, both of them smiling. The brusque Alpha spider crawls his fingers up Charlotte’s legs, making her squeal with laughter.
“Hey, you two,” I murmur.
Kash’s eyes meet mine, and I could swear they briefly dip to my lips before darting back up again, but maybe I imagined it.
Take off the rose-colored glasses, Jules. He doesn’t like you like that.
“We just wanted to come down and wish you luck.”
“Awww, thanks, guys.” I walk up, placing a loud smacking kiss on my daughter’s cheek. “It means a lot to have my biggest fans here rootin’ for me.”
“You look gorgeous out there tonight,” Kash murmurs.
My eyes fly to his right as Charlotte says, “Mr. Kash, did you just call Mama?—”
The Alpha's eyes go comically wide, his cheeks turning pink. “Great. You look great out there tonight. You’ve got this thing won already.”
Sucking my lips between my teeth to stop my grin, I nod, amused. “Thank you.”
“C’mon, Daisy. We gotta let Mama get ready to win. You can make googly eyes at her later.”
My laugh bursts free, but Kash just rolls said eyes.
“You’re dangerous for my ego, jelly bean.”
“What’s an ego?” she asks innocently.
Saving him, I say, “As soon as I’m done, I’m heading into the press area. Will you all meet me there?”
Kash clears his throat. “Sure thing.”
“You’ve got this, Mama.” Charlotte holds out her fist, and I bump her knuckles with my own.
“I love you, sweet pea.”
“Love you too.”
They walk off, and the preening Omega inside me is doing a giddy little happy dance.
Kash Ford just called me gorgeous.
Shaking it off, I attempt to get my head back in the game, quickly mounting Calamity and walking her over to the box.
My rope is in my hand, poised and ready to go as the handlers work the calves down the chute.
My heartbeat is pounding a steady rhythm in my chest, adrenaline rushing through me as I try to keep my breathing steady to avoid spooking my horse.
I’ve already beaten my times in barrel racing and tie-down roping and met my previous time in team roping.
This last event, breakaway roping, is all that stands between me and that number-one spot I’ve worked so hard for.
The handler gives me the signal that they’re ready, and I take a deep breath and exhale before I nod back.
They open the gates, and the calf runs free.
For two seconds, I wait, then spur Calamity forward.
She surges past the cord that releases as we run through it.
The ten-five stiff rope is already spinning beside me—a throwback to my grandma’s days in the circuit—my wrist shooting forward and the loop at the end flying through the air.
It slides over the calf’s head and neck, tightening until it breaks off.
“One forty-one!” the announcer calls out, and the smile that breaks across my face is as wide as the Grand Canyon.
All of the time and energy, all of the sacrifices, have led me to this moment right here. I’ve made the comeback of a lifetime, not only in my professional life but my personal one too, and damn, if that isn’t something worth celebratin’.
I seek out my pack’s faces, finding the guys and Charlotte cheering me on from the stands. Waving, I slowly guide Calamity back to the staging area, handing her off to a member of my crew who will ensure she’s taken care of while I go face the press.
Something I have never done in all my years in rodeo.
The second I walk through the door, cameras are rolling and lights are flashing.
There’s a small podium set up in the center with a microphone, and I make my way over to it just as Beck walks in carrying Charlotte, with Wyatt beside them.
They come to a stop, standing a few feet away.
Kash stays off to the side of the door, watching us, with his hands in his pockets.
I’m not sure why my heart pangs so hard at the juxtaposition of the men in my life, but I don’t have time to think on it too long.
“JJ, you’re here today, looking different than we’re used to seeing you. Care to explain that?”
I don’t have to fake a smile because I’m pretty sure the one on my face has been plastered there since my last time was announced.
“I always wanted to keep my private life private . For years, I stuck by that. Now, having fought my way back to that number-one spot in women’s rodeo, I feel like it’s time you know who you’re cheerin’ for. This is the real me, and you can get used to seeing me around.”
The anvil on my chest has finally been lifted, and I can truly breathe for the first time since I was ten. No more hiding who I am. Jules Callahan has made her long-awaited debut, and I’ve never been happier in my entire life.
“JJ, we see the men standing beside you and the little girl with them. Is she your daughter? What is your relationship with them?”
My heart swells when I look over at the trio, and I have to swallow down my emotions. “That’s my adorable daughter, Charlotte. The man holdin’ her is her daddy, Beck McCoy, and that’s his brother Wyatt beside him. They’re my pack.”
“Is that official, or are they courting you?”
I smirk, meeting Beck’s heated stare. “I have a feeling we’ll be making that official real soon.”
After another few questions, I thank the press and head over to where my pack is waiting.
“You were absolutely amazin’ out there, hotshot,” Wyatt says, pulling me into his side. “I’m not kidding. I think I might actually want to take some lessons. You know, since my Omega is the not-so-mysterious JJ Wilde.”
I chuckle, propping my chin on his chest. “I’ve lost all of my mystery, huh?”
“I mean, not all .” He leans in, his lips caressing my ear. “I’ve never been so jealous of a horse. I want to know what it’s like when you ride me , hotshot.”
My perfume seeps out, but thankfully the arena is so full of different scents, with the ventilation system working overtime to manage it all, it goes mostly unnoticed.
“Him and me both, little mama,” Beck murmurs beside me.
Kash has taken Charlotte and is effectively distracting her, probably having recognized the looks glazing his packmates’ faces and wanting to spare our daughter.
They step closer. “Y’all want to grab some dinner at the hotel? We’ll have to make it an early night since our flight back home is at the crack of dawn tomorrow.”
Beck looks down at me. “What do you say?”
Smiling over at Kash, his hazel eyes follow the curve of my lips. “Dinner sounds good.”
When his eyes finally inch up toward mine, a flash of something unnameable zips between us.
“I want mac ‘n cheese,” Charlotte says, breaking through whatever spell my friend just cast on me.
Kash grins over at her. “You’re gonna turn into mac ‘n cheese.”
“Will not.”
“Will too.”
They bicker back and forth, and I follow after them, my entire heart in my throat.