Epilogue
Heston
Six Months Later
“I’ve brought home a buckle or two in my career.”
The audience buzzes with light laughter. I shift my weight and wipe my palm down the side of my hip. My family and friends are out there somewhere behind the glaring stage lights, but I’m too worried about forgetting my speech to search them out.
“I was never the kid you’d expect to grow up and find holding a microphone in a room full of people, though,” I go on.
“Drove my teachers crazy that I couldn’t get a sentence out most days.
But my parents never let me believe I was any less for it.
Not gonna lie, I’ve never given a speech, so I’m trying to channel their advice right now. ”
Hearing another wave of amused chuckles from the crowd is a good sign, I think. If I were fucking this up, I’d be hearing crickets. My thumb brushes the corner of the podium.
“This is probably a bad time to bring up the mistakes I made when steer wrestling was the most important thing in my life. I may not be competing anymore, but still having a place in the rodeo world means a lot to me. I just hope everyone here tonight knows how appreciative I am that the Pro Rodeo Athletes Organization is willing to give guys like me another shot.”
I breathe in deeply as the audience breaks out in applause. Off the side of the stage, the president of the PRAO gives me a nod of respect. The other executives seated near him do the same, and it’s a sight I never thought I’d see.
They took a big risk, putting my name on the ballot this year. It felt like a second chance. Luckily, I know a thing or two about those. I may not deserve them, but I’m pretty good at making them count anyway.
“It’s crazy to think I used to dream about getting invited to this ceremony,” I add.
“I can promise you I don’t take it for granted now that I’m here.
If you don’t mind, I want to thank a few people.
My parents and my sister. My brothers . .
.” I grip the microphone, willing it to ground me.
“I, uh—I love you guys. Wouldn’t be up here without you.
This sport has given me more than most people know.
I’m going to spend the rest of my days being grateful that I decided to attend that little rodeo years ago, where I met the love of my life.
Hattie, I know you deserve more than a thank you for standing by me, even when it wasn’t easy.
You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and you have no idea how happy I am that you’re here with me for this.
Thanks again to the Hall of Fame for the honor.
This whole night has been surreal. Thank you. ”
I’m cursing myself for saying thank you so many times when Granger enters my peripheral vision, holding a plaque at the end of the stage. The audience rises in a standing ovation, and a group of PRAO representatives joins Granger and approaches the podium.
I shake my head when the kid reaches for the mic. He smirks and hands me the plaque before addressing the crowd.
“I was told to introduce my friend as the newest member of the Pro Rodeo Athletes Hall of Fame. They got the second title right, but the first one isn’t quite right. Heston isn’t my friend.”
The room is silent apart from a few gasps and awkward murmurs. I want to laugh at the kid’s dramatic pause, but the look on his face is serious. I hold the plaque down at my side and slip my free hand into my pocket.
“He’s my hero,” he clarifies. The audience breathes a sigh of relief, and I shake my head at the collective aww. He already knows how to work a crowd. Granger steps up to slap a hand on my back. “Don’t let that go to your head, big guy. I’m coming for all your records.”
I take the mic from his hand, place it on the podium, and pretend to hug him. My voice is low in his ear. “Fat fucking chance.”
He laughs over the music that’s now playing through the auditorium. Truth is, he’s every bit as talented as I was at his age, and he could break my records if he keeps it up. I’d be proud if he did. I’m not about to start feeding his ego now, though. He gets enough of that from the other guys.
By the thousandth picture, I’m ready to get the hell out of here. Big events like this are fun until you’re in your mid-thirties and checking the time to know how much time you have left before you can sink into bed.
Our friends and family have long since called it a night. Rafe was the last to go. He stuck around so long because we’ve all been so busy lately. Spending some time together was overdue.
I lift my hat to run a hand through my hair, and I guess my sigh was louder than I meant it to be. Hattie’s eyes flick over to mine. She’s just as ready to leave as I am, if her quirked brow is any indication.
“I think we’re going to head out, actually,” Hattie says, addressing the barrel racer who was inducted right before I was tonight. “It was lovely meeting you.”
I shake her hand. “Congratulations, Kamber.”
“You seem like you’re doing well,” she responds. “Congrats to you, too.”
“Yeah,” I admit. “Life’s been treating me pretty good lately. Thanks.”
I smooth a hand over Hattie’s lower back and guide her toward the door. We don’t dress up very often, so I’m not used to feeling the satin fabric of her dress against my palm. I can’t help but move my hand lower. She looks over her shoulder with pursed lips.
“What?”
“Do you need a handful of ass while we’re walking out of a formal event?”
“Yes,” I deadpan.
She tries not to laugh. I hold the door open for her and land a slap on her backside with a smirk.
The parking lot is half-empty. I know it’s late, but the city is brightly lit and bustling. A car horn echoes off the surrounding buildings. A constant hum hangs in the air, and I wonder if the people who live here ever lose their minds from the round-the-clock noise.
“Your speech was good,” Hattie says.
I reach forward to open the passenger side door of my truck. Before she can get inside, I toss my plaque on the seat and gently push her back against the truck. My hands are braced on either side of her.
“It’s okay, you can tell me it was bad.”
She slowly runs her hands up my sides. “No, really. Ten out of ten.”
“Whatever you say.” My lips skim the side of her neck. “I think I blacked out, so I hardly remember it, anyway. I’m never speaking in front of a crowd again.”
“Until Tripp gets engaged and asks you to be the best man at his wedding,” she teases.
“Fuck.”
She laughs, and I capture the sweet sound with my mouth. Her fingers dig into my sides. I press my body against her as if we’re not standing in the middle of a parking lot right now.
“Take me home,” she says, pulling away slightly.
I’ve never been so happy that the PRAO hosts its Hall of Fame induction ceremonies less than two hours away. It’s already ten o’clock, but if we get on the road soon, it won’t take long before I’m kissing her in bed.
“Say it again.” I kiss the corner of her mouth and hover my lips there for a beat, soaking in the feeling.
Her smile is instant. “Take me home.”
I wonder if hearing that from her will ever get old. Just the reminder that we live together now sends a flood of warmth through my body. Every damn time.
Our life is a whirlwind with her clinic set to open soon, and the work I’ve started on our new house.
Everything seems to revolve around the future we’re building.
It’s stressful sometimes, but at the end of each day, I have her to come home to.
Even if everything else went away, that’s all I’d need.
Just her.
“Lucky is probably sitting by the door waiting for us right now,” Hattie points out.
Okay, her and our dog.
“Alright, hot sauce. Let’s go home.”