30. ZANE
ZANE
I did it—I bought the ring. Now all that’s left is to pop the question. I’m running out of time, which is why I’m planning to do it today, after the competition.
Unlike last time, today I’m aiming for the gold. There is no literal gold—it’s just a regional competition—but I want first place. Then I’ll have something to be proud of as I go down on one knee and ask Ava to marry me.
More than ever, I want to do it today because of how on edge she’s been.
Ever since all the atrocities her family has done to her came to light, she’s been slowly slipping back to the old version of herself.
She’s barely eating, has been having trouble sleeping, and is saying less and less each day.
I know a proposal is not going to fix all this—I just want to give her something to look forward to while I handle her family for her. I know law enforcement is already after the brother, but I want all of them since in my books they’re all responsible in one way or another.
Ava thinks that they’re the ones who messed with my mechanical bull, causing it to blow up. I’m lucky I escaped with my life and only a minor injury. As for her family, I don’t think they’re that brazen to try a direct attack on me, but there’s also no way to really know for sure.
The gym is supposed to be private and all mine—there are no cameras, so it’s hard to know if someone went in there and tampered with my equipment.
I hope it was just an accident, but if it’s really them and I find out, then their days are truly numbered. I’m going to erase their existence from the world for hurting my girl and attempting to kill me.
“Are you sure you’re up for this? You don’t look so good,” Beck, who is helping me prep for the final round, asks.
I turn to him with a glare. “I’m fine. You’re more nagging than my wife.”
It’s too late to take back my words.
“Wife, huh?” he teases with a cheeky grin.
“Slip of the tongue, but she will be soon,” I decree, realizing there’s no need to deny it.
She hasn’t said yes yet—I haven’t even asked—and there’s a chance she might say no.
Her life is in LA after all, but I’m banking on the fact that she’s in love with me and has found healing with us at Iron Stallion.
She will say yes, we’ll tie the knot, and I will be her safe place for eternity, and her mine.
“Does this mean what I think it means?” Beck inquires.
“Yes, I’m going to ask Ava to marry me.”
His grin only gets wider from my confirmation. “Wow, I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you. I hope she says yes.”
“Are you kidding? She’s smitten with you—she’ll definitely say yes,” he assures me.
“She better.”
Having the best timing, I see Ava walking toward us from the corner of my eye.
“There’s my champion,” she greets cheerfully.
“Aww, how did you know?” Beck interjects before I get the chance to respond.
“I ran into a couple of your fans outside,” she answers, humoring him.
His eyes widen in excitement. “Wait, really?”
“Yes, I think one of them wants you to sign something that’s not a piece of paper.”
He shoves the rope into my chest and runs off. “Best of luck, big bro. See you later.”
Ava bursts out laughing, her whole face lighting up joyfully. It’s surprising to see her in such a good mood, especially with everything going on, so I will take the win.
“I’m not even lying—just how famous is Beck?” she inquires.
“He’s beloved in the rodeo, not to mention he has the Morgan charm and good looks.”
“Must have skipped you then,” she teases.
“They did, huh?” I growl as I pull her closer. “How did I win you over then?”
“With brute strength and lots of bullying.”
“As long as it worked,” I relent as my lips lower onto hers, kissing her deeply.
This woman has no idea, but she has me wrapped around her fingers.
I am so in love with her it’s crazy I’m not walking around with a giant heart hanging over my head.
She clings onto my shirt, her soft moans making parts of me that shouldn’t be in the game right now awaken.
Before it gets too heated, I gently pull back.
“I’m about to face a four-legged beast. Wish me luck?”
“Good luck, my love. You are going to be amazing out there.”
My love... I like the sound of that.
“Thank you.”
We share one more kiss before I reluctantly let her go.
Having conquered Titan last time, the universe decides to reward me with an even tougher bull—Brutus, one with fifty consecutive buck-offs.
Even his name is meant to instill fear. But I intend to win today, so I don’t care how many riders he’s conquered—today I’m walking out of that arena, having triumphed over him.
And I do—all eight seconds and earn enough points with my skills to earn me first place.
This is exactly what I wanted, and while the cameras are still on me, I check my pocket to ensure I still have the ring as I take off across the arena with one destination in mind.
Just like last time, I see Ava open her arms wide for me, with the biggest smile on her face. It’s about to get even wider.
Then in a fraction of a second, it all changes to one of fear and panic. She shouts something, but it’s too loud for me to hear her.
She points behind me, and I turn around in confusion to find Brutus charging toward me with the bullfighters racing after him. He was already back in the bucking chute, so I have no idea how he got out. All I know is that I need to get away from him.
I sprint faster, still headed for Ava, and just when I think I am a good distance away, the worst happens.
The only thing I can describe it as is sheer strength.
It knocks into me from the back, and I find myself flying through the air and landing against the metal bars surrounding the arena.
Pain fills my entire body from the impact as my vision turns blurry.
I taste blood in my mouth as the world starts to fade around me.
A scream hurtles through the air, the same one I heard five years ago—Ava, my Ava. She is the last thought in my mind before it all turns to nothing.
When I come to, I’m in the hospital, surrounded by my whole family and a team of doctors. They all look worried—Ella is crying in Beck’s arms, and Ava is nowhere to be seen. Where is she?
I check my body for injuries, and besides a cast on my leg, nothing else seems to be broken. I’m in pain, but it’s mild, probably due to the drugs they’re pumping into me through the IV in my arm.
“How long have I been out?” I ask as I try to sit up.
My father jumps into action and helps me, putting a few pillows behind my back to support me.
“Eight hours,” one of the doctors replies. “You’re lucky to be alive, Mr. Morgan,” he adds.
“How bad is it?” I inquire, afraid of the answer.
“To put it simply, your riding days are over.”
“That’s what they said last time,” I grin back.
“And you should have listened. If you dare mount a bull again, you won’t be so lucky next time. You’ll lose all ability to walk, or worse, die,” the doctor asserts, scolding me like he’s my father, who is yet to say a word.
“Thank you, doctor. We will take it from here,” Jace says dismissively, and they all leave the room, revealing Ava, who was hiding behind them.
She’s not crying, but the haunted look on her face and the red eyes let me know she has been. I want to reach out to her, but I hold back when my father interrupts me.
“Zane, this is the only time I’m going to say this, so you better listen. Take your two wins—you did it, we are all proud of you—but no more bull riding,” he asserts.
“Dad—“
“I mean it, Zane. You’re done,” he booms loud enough for it to be heard across the whole hospital floor.
This time, I know he means it, and there’s no point arguing with him. “Yes, sir.”
“We’ll leave you two alone to talk,” Jace says as they all excuse themselves, leaving me in the room with Ava.
I hold my arms out, and she hesitates for a moment before she bridges the gap between us and hugs me. The dam breaks and she falls apart in my arms, so I hold her while she lets it all out.
“I told you. Why didn’t you listen to me?” she scolds, hitting my arm.
“I’m sorry,” I apologize, kissing her hair as I rub her back.
“No more bull riding,” she demands, pulling back to look at my face.
“No more, I promise.”
“Thank you,” she nods, then kisses me, her lips soft and wet from all the crying.
I knew there was a chance I would not make it to the Pbr world finals, and although it sucks to be out of the competition this early, I have no regrets. I did it—I conquered—and now I’m throwing in the towel because I’ve chosen to, not because of that stupid accident.
Now I just need to focus on my future, which begins with the woman in my arms. Which reminds me—the ring. I cannot propose without it, and I have no idea where my clothes are, so it seems that will have to wait. For now, I hold my girl and console her, assuring her that I am okay.