Chapter 38
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
sierra
PRESENT DAY
We were back in Billings for our final rodeo before the season ended.
The final world standings, and the list of athletes who would make it to the NFR, would be announced in mid-October.
I could practically feel the energy crackling in the arena, and my own body buzzed with emotions.
Whether it was nervous energy or excitement, I wasn’t sure.
The last time I checked, I was sitting fourteenth in the world standings.
This weekend could make or break my chances at making the NFR, so I didn’t think anyone would blame me for being nervous.
However, under the surface, I also knew my nerves stemmed from something else. After finding the nail in my tire, I told Hayden it was just an accident, that I must have driven over something, but I could tell he didn’t believe me.
Despite my denial, I told myself that I wouldn’t let my guard down anymore. I wouldn’t let fear stop me from performing my best, but I’d also be watching my back.
A hand pressed down on my shoulder, and I flinched, my heart jumping out of my chest.
“Whoa there, Skippy. You good?”
I released a sharp breath as Keenan squeezed my shoulder. “Yeah, sorry. Just a little on edge today.”
“Nervous?”
I shrugged. “I guess. There’s a lot at stake here.”
He nodded. “Makes sense. I don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about, though. You’re one of the best barrel racers I know.”
“Thanks.” After gazing around the area behind the chutes, I asked, “Where’s Hayden?”
Keenan tapped his lips as his head swiveled around. “Not sure. I thought he was behind me, but he must have gotten hung up talking to someone. I know his buddies, Colter and Reid, were close by.”
“Ah.”
“So, how are you two doing?”
My brows knitted together. “What do you mean?”
“I dunno. You two are living together, working together, and traveling together. Seems like ideal conditions for a lot of feelings to come up.”
“We’re just friends,” I said flatly.
“Keep telling yourself that, Skippy.” He patted me on the head like a puppy, and my lips drooped into a frown as I smacked his hand away. “You two were never meant to be just friends. That was evident from the start.”
“What are you guys doing?” Hayden crossed his arms over his chest as he approached us, an amused expression plastered on his face.
“He’s being annoying.” I rolled my eyes as Keenan threw his arm around my shoulder. “Don’t touch my hair again. My head is not for patting.”
His hand hovered over the top of my head, but he lowered it at my warning.
“Come on, Skippy, you’re no fun.” Keenan leaned in, whispering, “Don’t forget what I said. You guys? End game,” before he stretched out his arms and yawned. “Let’s get this show on the road, shall we? When’s this rodeo gonna start?”
Hayden and I both rolled our eyes and shook our heads, but we still followed Keenan just as the rodeo announcer started speaking.
The jumbotron displayed a zoomed-in image of Hayden and Keenan as they set themselves up in the roping boxes. The steer was already in the chute, and eighties rock music played in the background.
“Let these cowboys hear you, folks. They hail from our great state of Montana, from two little towns called Goldfinch and Silver Creek if you’ve heard of them.” The announcer rattled off some stats and then cried out, “And there they go, folks!”
Hayden and Peanut shot out of the roping box like a bolt of lightning. He swung his rope over his head, his gaze trained on the steer in front of him. In perfect timing, he threw the rope, the loop landing over the steer’s horns.
Pulling the slack out of the rope, Hayden dallied as Peanut turned the corner. Keenan followed closely behind, his own rope flying through the air to catch the steer’s hind legs.
“Give ’em five-point-four seconds! Things are starting to heat up here in Billings, and we’re not done yet!”
I watched as Hayden led the steer out of the arena then met up with Keenan on the fenceline to ride their way out as the next roping pair got ready to rope.
“Nice run, boys.” I congratulated them as they passed by on horseback.
“Don’t let us down, Skippy. Bring us home some hardware tonight.” Keenan winked.
“Plan on it.” I grinned, offering him a mock salute.
The next few events flew by in a blur, and before I knew it barrel racing was on deck.
“Sierra,” a high-pitched voice muttered my name behind me.
Spinning around, I came face-to-face with Michaela.
“Michaela.” I looked her up and down.
“Good luck tonight,” she said, but I knew it wasn’t sincere because of the jeering tone to her words coupled with the mocking grin on her face.
“I don’t need it, but thanks,” I retorted, pushing past her to get to Lucky. We were near the end of the lineup for barrel racing, so I had a little bit of time to catch my bearings. I wasn’t going to let her intimidate me or throw me off. I had a race to win.
“For all of you rodeo fans watching tonight, we’ve got a real treat in this next cowgirl.
She’s been making waves all season long.
Racing on her horse, Ace’s Lucky Charm, we’ve got Sierra Bayley!
” The announcer called out my name as I led Lucky into the alleyway, keeping him as calm as possible.
I’d taken several deep breaths to slow my heart rate, and I was locked in.
Hooves pounded the dirt as Lucky raced down the alleyway toward the first barrel.
I gritted my teeth as we cut around it, getting a little too close for comfort.
I almost clipped it with my foot but was able to brush by without knocking it over.
That was the last thing that I needed to happen in such a high-stakes race.
We adjusted well as we turned around the second barrel, dust flying in the air in a hazy cloud around us.
“Come on, come on, come on,” I urged Lucky on. The last barrel was right in my sights, and then we’d be home free.
“Help her on home, folks!” The announcer’s voice rang in my ears as we made it around the last barrel without a hitch, and Lucky took off into a gallop at top speed back toward the time barrier and alleyway.
My hair blew back behind me, the little tendrils that had fallen out of my brain whipping me in the face, but I wouldn’t slow down, wouldn’t waver.
Victory was so close, I could practically taste it.
“Fourteen-point-two-seven for Sierra Bayley and Ace’s Lucky Charm! Now that’s how it’s done. Atta cowgirl!”
I glanced up at the jumbotron, relief rushing over me. The camera panned over my face, and I flashed a smile as we exited the arena and headed over to do an interview.
“So, Sierra. How are you feeling heading into the end of the season?” the reporter asked.
I took a deep breath, plastering my most convincing smile on my face. “Great. We’re sitting in a good position in the world standings. Anything can happen, but I’m hopeful that we’ll be headed to Vegas this year.”
“Wonderful! What about the competition here tonight? Do you have anything to say about them?”
She was goading me; I could tell. But I would stay professional and not give her any ammunition to start drama.
“There are some incredible barrel racers out there tonight. Whatever happens, any one of us deserves a spot in the top fifteen. Thank you.”
With that, I took Lucky to one of the temporary stalls to get his equipment off and decompress from the day.
An unsettling tingle crept up my spine as I walked through the concourse of the arena after the rodeo had wrapped up.
Somewhere in the last thirty minutes, I’d lost Hayden, Keenan, and the rest of the group.
They weren’t out by the trailers when I went out there to load up Lucky, so I came back inside to try to find them.
My eyes flicked to the right and then to the left as I passed by closed-up concession stands, but there was no one around.
I didn’t want to turn around in fear that someone was following me, but curiosity won out, and I stopped, looking over my shoulder.
There was no one there, but the feeling that I was being watched lingered.
“Michaela?” I threw out her name, hoping it was just her lurking in the shadows. I could handle her, as annoying as she could be.
I inhaled a sharp breath through my nose, and the faint scent of cigarette smoke hit my nostrils.
I faced forward again and started walking a bit faster than I had been before, hands shaking from the adrenaline pumping through my veins.
The arena was eerily quiet, and behind me, lights started to flicker off from the lack of motion.
Not paying attention to where I was walking, I smacked directly into a hard plane in front of me, letting out a squeak. Strong arms wrapped around me, steadying me.
“Oh, good, there you are. We were all looking for you. Are you ready to go home?”
Hayden. Thank God.
“Sorry. I got distracted, but I’m ready. Let’s go.” I swiveled my head one more time, making sure there wasn’t anyone around.
The smell of smoke had dissipated, and I couldn’t detect anyone other than me and Hayden. We were truly alone.
“Are you okay? Did something happen?”
I shook my head. “No, sorry. It’s just kinda spooky in here when there are no people. Let’s go.”
I was probably just being paranoid, but I walked to the trailer a little bit faster than I normally would.