Epilogue
FOUR MONTHS LATER: NATIONAL FINALS RODEO, LAS VEGAS, NV
Ladies and gentlemen, you’ve been with us for the past nine days, watching the best cowboys and cowgirls in the world compete for the title of World Champion. Tonight is the night where seven new champions will be crowned!”
I surveyed the crowd in the Thomas & Mack arena. Despite it being a sold-out event, I knew exactly where Juniper would be.
All of the trials, sweat, pain, and tears of this year had led to this moment. My ride tonight would determine whether or not I’d go home with a gold buckle. I could practically taste victory on my tongue. I had it within reach, and there was nothing that would tear it from my grasp.
“Best of luck tonight, Mikey.” Maverick walked up to shake my hand. He was a shoo-in for the world title—and deserving, at that—but the average title would also be between us tonight.
“Thanks, man.” Teasingly nudging him with my elbow, I whispered, “You wouldn’t mind bucking off tonight, would you?”
Maverick laughed at the joke, the sound warming my chest. “Man, you know I’d love to do that, but my agent and sponsors would have my head.”
“I know, I was just messing. May the best bull rider win.”
He tipped his hat as he continued on to chat with some of the other bull riders.
As the rodeo went on, I started to mentally prepare myself and get in the zone, the same routine I’d gone through my entire bull riding career.
Eight seconds. Anything is possible if you can hold on for eight seconds.
I repeated the mantra in my head, letting the world around me fade.
Colter and Reid had roped well, securing a world title for themselves, and Jake ended up placing fourth in the average.
The barrel racing flew by, and when the announcer called out that it was time for the bull riding, I was ready, both mentally and physically, to do whatever it took to win.
Maverick and I were near the end of the section, so I sat down, closing my eyes and letting my breaths slow again.
As each cowboy performed and my ride inched nearer and nearer, the nerves in my stomach swelled more and more. As did the affirmations repeating in my head.
This is it. Whatever it takes to win. You can do it.
Five more riders.
Three more riders.
Maverick’s up. Two more.
When the cowboy immediately before me hopped into the chute, I stood, brushing off my jeans and gathering my gear.
“Up next, we’ve got a bull rider who hails from the great state of Montana. Not only did he have quite the comeback this summer, he’s had one hell of a year. He’s taking on Whiplash tonight! Mikey Tucker!”
I pulled on my helmet as the announcer read off our stats, climbing up onto the chute to mount the bull.
I’d seen videos of this one. He was mean, but that was exactly how I liked them.
All I’d have to do tonight was hang on for dear life, throw in a little flair, and hope the judges scored me fairly.
Maverick rode before me, so he was there to help. Even though we were competing against each other for the NFR title, I trusted him. He played fair and wouldn’t do anything to endanger me or cause him to catch a fine.
I heated up the rosin on the rope until it was sticky enough on my glove. Maverick pulled my bull rope, and I wrapped it around my hand. Scooting up to my rope, I nodded before tucking my chin and gritting my teeth.
Although the world around me was chaotic—rock music playing over the screaming crowd, bullfighters ready to step in should the ride go awry, dust flying, and fellow bull riders shouting encouragement—I was completely calm. Serene. At peace.
Whatever happened with this ride, I’d be giving it my all, and regardless of what the news and social media said about me, I knew I’d had a damn good career, with plenty more to come.
The bull whipped around, breaking me out of my brief thoughts. I pushed my chest forward, raising my free hand to match his movements, and when he bucked to the left, I adjusted accordingly.
My muscles burned, but I couldn’t give up yet. Every bone in my body was screaming at me, but I could be sore tomorrow. I just had to endure it for eight seconds.
With one final spin in an effort to throw me off, the buzzer sounded, signaling the eight seconds was up.
I did it.
When the bull bucked me off, I ran to safety, letting the bullfighters and barrel man take over. I lifted off my helmet and raised it in the air as the announcer called out, “Ninety-two points for Mikey Tucker!”
After the last few bull riders performed, it was official. I’d won the final round and secured a gold buckle as the NFR Average champion.
I flashed a cocky smile at the crowd, feeling like a million bucks.
But deep down, I was just proud.
After the buckle ceremony and a slew of post-ride interviews, I finally made it to Juniper and the rest of the crew.
She pulled me into a hug, despite how sweaty I was and the fact that I probably smelled worse than a high school boys’ locker room. “That was quite a ride, Casanova.”
“Would you roll your eyes if I said it was all for you, Peach?” I winked. When she inevitably rolled her eyes, I laughed. “Ah, there it is.”
“So, what are we doing to celebrate?” Jake asked. “We’ve got a couple World Champions and an NFR Champion in our midst. I think that’s cause for a big celebration.
I shook my head. “You guys go on ahead. I want to spend some time with my girl.”
In the past four months, we’d been long-distance.
We visited each other when we could, but for the most part our dates consisted of dinners over FaceTime.
I wouldn’t have changed it for the world, though.
One day we’d talk about living closer—she’d mentioned wanting to go back to school to get a master’s and PhD—but for now, she was living out her dreams, and I was living out mine.
Tonight, all I wanted to do was hold her in my arms with no interruptions.
Colter and Reid gave me subtle smirks.
“Hey, we had an agreement,” she scolded. “Juniper and Mikey’s NFR rule number three: No going back to the room until we’ve properly celebrated your win!”
“Fuck the rules, Peach. I know exactly how I want to celebrate, and for once, it’s not in a bar.”
She giggled as I scooped her up in my arms, intending to carry her all the way to our hotel room, hang a Do Not Disturb sign on the door, and worship my woman like she deserved.
Because, after all, rules were always meant to be broken.
Want more of the Silver Creek cowboys? Read where the series all began with Colter and Ellison’s love story in The Pieces We’ve Lost, book one in The Road and The Rodeo series!
Continue reading for a preview to Playing With My Heart Strings, a reality TV-inspired standalone rom-com.