Chapter 35 Reese
Her eyes blink open, slow enough I can see the subtle change in her pupil. She nods, but that won’t do. “I need to hear you say it, Lucy. Please.”
I’ll beg, get down on my knees right here and grovel if I have to. Taking a step back, her boots hit the ground as I run a hand through my hair. My hat’s long been on the ground, since she sprang on me and we kissed like teenagers.
Bending down I swipe my hat off the dirt, dust it off, and place it back on my head as my heart constricts in my chest. If she doesn’t trust me yet, we can work on it, sure, but it might hurt a little to hear.
She giggles, her hand comes up, smacking her mouth as if she didn’t mean to laugh. “It’s not–” another giggle bursts out of her and she turns the cutest shade of pink. “I haven’t been physical in a long time, and I uh… I almost moaned.”
Laughter rolls out of me, and I wrap my arms around her when she buries her face in my chest.
“I’m so embarrassed,” she mumbles, shaking her head and letting her hair fall over her face. Gently, I push the strands out of her face, tucking them behind her ears so I can see her.
“Don’t be,” I whisper and she leans into my hands.
Familiar raised voices carry through the hall, and my gut tells me it’s serious.
Sure enough Kayce emerges from the hall and Lucy steps away as I move forward.
He’s steaming, about to explode actually, when Jarrett comes around the corner and reaches for him, but jerks his hand back, when he sees me and I look between the two.
“Everythin’ alright?”
Neither of them say anything, but it’s obvious something's going on. I won’t press, if either of them have an issue, they can come to me or Mason when they’re ready.
Kayce looks at Jarrett whose eyes are on the dirt, then he huffs and turns on his heel, walking away from the three of us.
“Uh, hey Lucy,” Jarrett says, though it sounds forced. At least he’s trying.
“Hi,” she says, peeking around my shoulder.
He doesn’t say anything else, only turns and walks back down the hall. Either he forgot about whatever was going on with Kayce or he decided against going after him.
Lucy looks at the spot he just moved from and then toward where Kayce disappeared to. Her lips twist to one side of her mouth, and she shakes her head. Looking back at me, she smiles and runs her hand down my forearm to link her fingers in mine.
Pulling me toward her, she smiles up at me. “Anytime you want to touch me, Old Man, consider this consent. I trust you.”
Lifting up on her toes she places a gentle kiss against my lips, and I want like hell to grab her and kiss her like before. This feels right, so fucking utterly perfect.
“If I’m touchin’ you, Goldie,” I tell her, looking down at her with as much conviction as I can. “I need you to know, I’m not in this to share. You’re it for me and I need to know I’m the only one for you while we’re doin’,” I gesture between us, “Whatever this is.”
She smiles, a little smile that makes me wonder what’s going on inside her brain.
“I’m not the sharing type, Old Man. I’m all yours.”
Kissing her cheek, we walk back into the arena and I can tell by the look on Mason’s face that something’s not okay. He’s pacing the floor, in front of the animals not being used yet for events, yelling something into his phone.
When he sees me he hangs up, and walks our way. “I’m not gonna ask,” he holds up a hand as if I was going to say something and continues, “Jarrett and Colt got into it in the pen, now one’a the barrel racers horses is runnin’ around the rodeo.”
“What?” I demand. “How the hell did that happen?”
“I didn’t know Lin told Jarrett to grab the horse so I sent Colt. They were yellin’, causing a whole scene. No idea why, but Kayce was pissed somethin’ fierce at Jare, and they ran off. Then Eddie came runnin’ when the horse passed him.”
“Eddie with the Powell team? Previously the Macabe team?” I ask, looking around the pens. Spotting him near ours, he throws up a hand to acknowledge me and I return the gesture.
Turning to Lucy, I close my eyes and squeeze her hand, “I’ve got to handle this.”
“Go,” she smiles, “save the day, Old Man.” She heads back toward her family. I watch her the whole way, just to make sure. Then get to work figuring out what the hell’s happening. I’m not touching the comment about Jare and Kayce until I have more information.
Eddie claps my hand when Mason and I walk over to where he’s got the horse in question by the bridle. She throws her head when we approach, and Mason takes her and heads back towards the arena. I only hope they aren’t too late for the event.
“Thank you Eddie, I owe you one,” I tell him. He’s younger than me, probably closer to Spencer’s age.
“No big deal,” he chuckles, pulling a bandana from his back pocket and swipes his forehead. “I couldn’t do what you do man, those kids would catch a beatin’.”
“Oh come on now, I’m sure you could,” I elbow him, “Without any need for a beatin’.” I look back to where I know Lucy and her family are and Eddie follows my line of sight.
“Heath’s here? Hell yeah.” He asks, looking back my way before splitting off to visit with Heath. His rider’s part of the bull qualifiers so he’s got time.
I need to figure out what the hell’s going on with my team.
Most importantly, I need to figure out what the hell that was earlier between Kayce and Jarrett.