Chapter 12
Verge
I watched her and Cross team rope and per usual Cash was out another twenty dollars.
Her riding and roping is impressive. She and Cross have their timing down to a science and Cash can make fun of them all he wants for scoping out the steers early on, but I’d say that’s half their advantage right there.
Cash and Beau came in a close second with that motherfucker Pierce and his heeler Hunt coming in third.
I have a feeling before this weekend is over my knuckles are going to land firmly on his jaw if he doesn’t stay away from Shi, and hell Tyler now for that matter.
Her and Shi have hit it off it seems like.
Not that I’m complaining, it keeps Cross’ hands off her that much more and more so on Tyler.
I try to not let my jealousy take over when he slings his arm around her or hugs her. That said, I want what I want, and I’m not fond of anyone touching something I intend to make mine.
I’m at the trailer now sitting at the door of the tack room putting my spurs on so I can head up to the chutes when Cross walks up grabbing something out of the truck.
“You ready to kick some ass, Verge?” He asks, grabbing his jacket out of the back seat, shutting the door.
“I’m gonna try,” I reply, standing up, reaching in the tack room for my chaps, putting them on along with my vest and hat.
“The girls and all of us will be sitting on the right side, give her a wink.” He smirks.
I chuckle, throwing my rope over my shoulder. “I intended to.” I smile, and we both walk up to the arena together.
“She likes you. She's trying her best to pretend she doesn’t, but I’m on your side so keep pestering her, she will cave.” He says, patting me on the back and walking off.
As I make my way back to the chutes the announcers boom over the speakers, “Unlucky night for Pierce Drake with a ride of 6.8 seconds. Now folks, he was riding the highest ranked bull in the circuit at the moment. Dirty Bird, who is the sire of Down Right Dirty, the bull that was retired after Boone Hillard was killed. This bull has yet to have been ridden.”
My eyes snap to the stands where I see Cross with his arm wrapped around Shi rubbing her shoulders and this time I’m glad he’s sitting right beside her because I’m sure after hearing that she needs someone.
I then look to Cash and although he has no one to comfort him, I see him look over to Shi to make sure she’s okay.
I can see the hurt in his expression too.
I’d hate to hear someone always publicly repeating my mother’s death and bringing me straight back to that day.
I knew Dirty Bird was a tough ride, yet I did not know he would be in San Antonio this weekend. This time I do feel a tad guilty for making them stay.
Pierce stalks toward the gate with a pissed off look on his face and I can't hold back my smart ass smirk. As I wrap my wrists, he glances up. “Wipe that shit eating grin off your face, McCoy. Dirty Bird is the toughest ride in the whole circuit.”
I tilt my head. “Maybe for you.” I wink.
I know it’s cocky to say. I haven’t drawn Dirty Bird yet, but I do think I can ride him.
I've studied him enough to make a game plan for if and when I do draw him. In this circuit it’s inevitable to not eventually draw that bull, especially now that it seems as if he’s going to be hitting all the stops we are.
“Fuck off, McCoy,” he grits out as he walks off gathering his things.
He acts tough but Pierce is a fucking pussy. He very much reminds me of Ike in Tombstone. Talking all tough, acting all high and mighty until he’s faced with a conflict.
“Verge McCoy, make your way to chute two my friend.” I hear the announcer say over the speakers.
I turn walking toward the chutes to a bull they call Chaos by Fault.
Tilting my hat to the bullfighters, I hand them my rope and hop on to Chaos’ back.
The bull shifts in the chute lurching forward and I smirk thinking to myself, This will be fun.
Much like Shi checking out her steers in the morning I study the bulls brought in at every show.
How they move, all of it. I’ve been itching to ride Chaos for a while now.
As I’m wrapping my hand as promised I look up to the stands and my eyes lock on Shi whose leg is bouncing up and down, her eyes are glued to mine.
I wink at her and smile and Tyler reaches across Cross pushing her shoulder and she rolls her eyes but a smile creeps across her face.
Cross places his hand on her nervous leg.
He nods at me smirking and I know he’s secretly telling me well done.
As much as his hands on her annoys the fuck out of me when I’m on the back of a bull it doesn’t bother me as much and I know he’s on my side.
“In chute number two my friends the cowboy who is currently in 1st place in the PRCA standings, Verge McCoy riding Chaos by Fault. Let’s ride.”
I adjust myself on the bull looking up to her one last time then shake my head saying, “Okay boys, let’s go.”
The chute opens and just as I anticipated Chaos lurches out to the right hard bucking high and I’m ready for it. 1.
He quickly spins while bucking and dipping low. 2.
Changing directions he dips left then right bucking up and down. 3.
And again as I anticipated for the rest of the ride he stays left bucking high until I hear the buzzer go off at the 8 second mark.
I reach for my rope letting my hand free jumping off the right side since he is circling left so I don’t get caught with him kicking me and land on my feet.
“Ladies and gentleman no surprise here at all Verge McCoy takes the lead with 96 points on that ride hot damn way to go Mr. McCoy.” The announcer says as I look to the stands to see Shi smirking right back at me and clapping along with the crowd.
I turn as the bullfighters guide Chaos back into the chutes, pick up my rope and head out with a shit eating grin on my face.
After dinner we are now back at the rodeo grounds for everyone to feed their horses and I am waiting by the trailer having a smoke when I hear Shi’s voice and look over to see she’s at Tyler’s trailer, but I assume Tyler is still finishing up feeding with Cross.
“Fuck off Pierce, stop.” She hollers and I immediately head that way. I don’t trust that fucker and the tone in her voice makes my blood boil.
I flick my cigarette to the ground making a beeline for the trailer to see Pierce in her face pushing her up against her trailer. “Bitch, you better watch the way you talk to me.” He sneers.
“Or what?” She says.
He raises his hand to her and right as he’s about to smack her I run up behind him grabbing his hand, spinning him around and punching him square in the jaw.
As predicted.
“Should have known the only person you’d ever hit Drake is a woman, you fucking coward.” I say through gritted teeth as he lands on the ground holding his jaw groaning. I look up to Shi and her eyes are wide. “You hurt?” I ask.
She shakes her head as she looks at me then back down to Pierce who is now trying to crawl away. I kick him in the stomach and he rolls to his back groaning.
I put my boot on his neck with my spur right near his jugular and his eyes grow wide before I say, “If I catch you ever raising a hand to a woman it will be your last. Do you hear me?”
He squirms in a panic and I press my spur tighter to his neck before I say, “I said, do you fucking hear me Drake.”
“Yeah, I hear you McCoy.” He spits out.
I laugh. “Still trying to play tough, but I have the upper hand Drake, now say you’re sorry.”
Looking up to Shi she swallows hard and I can tell she's scared I’m going to kill him. I mean if he were to actually have slapped her I wouldn’t have been able to have any self control. Shit, this is tame.
Pressing down on his neck he grabs my boot trying to fend me off before he finally spouts out, “Okay, I’m sorry Shiloh it won’t happen again.”
“Verge, I'm fine, let him go.” She says and I lift my boot as he scurries to his feet stalking away.
Walking to her I put my hand on her face bringing her gaze to mine before I say, “You sure you’re okay? What were you doing over here alone?”
She sighs. “I was just going to say goodnight to Tyler before we headed back to the motel.”
“Do me a favor, and if not with me, don’t walk around at night without someone. I knew he was that type to disrespect women but next time if he actually hits you I’ll kill him.” I say and she purses her lips together before she nods.
Looking at her lips I’m about to make a move before Tyer and Cross come around the corner.
“Let’s go… Oh shit are we interrupting?” Cross says laughing with his hand around Tyler's waist and Tyler is smirking as she looks between us.
It's then I think it may not be safe for Tyler to stay here alone tonight given Pierce has been humiliated by us today and very well may take advantage of her being alone tonight.
“Cross, I think you should stay with Tyler tonight.” Shi says and I snap my head to her because damn we must be on the same wavelength.
“I mean you won’t hear any objections from me but why?” He asks.
She purses her lips together looking at me indicating she wants me to tell them why I suppose.
“Pierce.” I say.
Cross’ face contours to pure fury, a look I have never seen from him before, before he looks at me then to Shi walking toward her putting his hands on her shoulders. “Where is he? Are you hurt?”
“Verge punched him and he stalked off but I don’t want Tyler here alone tonight I’m sure he knows she is by herself.” She says to him.
“Not my question. Are you hurt? Did he hit you.” He asks.
“He got close but Verge came just in time.” She says looking at me and Cross looks over to me nodding before he says.
“If I stay with Tyler, you stay with Shiloh tonight,” he looks at Tyler before he continues, “You okay with that?”
She nods and looks at Shi winking and Shi rolls her eyes and I catch her flipping her the bird. Tyler and Cross are legit perfect for each other, their sense of humor is right on with each other and I appreciate it.
“Cross, it’s fine I don’t need him to.” Shi goes to say and Cross stops her.
“Either him or Cash I don’t care who but I know Pierce and Hunt are at the same motel we are, and you are not staying alone.” He insists and she looks at me biting her lip.
“Fine you can stay in our room tonight Verge at least it has two beds.” She groans.
Cross’ face turns into one of mischief before he says, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
She smacks him on the arm, her face turning red as Cash and Beau holler at us.
“Are we going to head in for the night or what? You know Shiloh is gonna have our asses up at the crack of dawn.” I look at Cross and Tyler then to Shi.
“Are we doing this?” I ask.
She nods in defeat and Tyler hugs her whispering something in her ear that I can’t quite hear and Tyler and Cross head into her live-in quarters trailer.
My instinct is to hold my hand out to hers but I seriously doubt she would take it so I gesture for her to walk ahead of me and as she does I place my hand on the small of her back. She glances back at me but to my surprise doesn’t object. As she walks I bite my lip thinking to myself.
One step closer McCoy, one step closer.