Chapter 16 Jade #2
Steer wrestling finishes, and we watch as the riders for the broncs get ready.
The announcer calls the start, and once again the crowd is electric.
We have two riders representing Lavender Falls, so everyone is waiting with bated breath hoping one of ours win.
We watch with rapt fascination, cheering on each man and woman as they enter the grounds, but when the first rider from Lavender Falls takes the lead, we lose control in cheers and excitement.
One man gets bucked off pretty badly, and the crowd is a chorus of gasps and beating hearts. We collectively hold our breaths as he rolls over and slowly gets upright, brushing himself off, and takes off limping towards the gate. Everyone cheers and whistles for him as he walks off.
The next rider is announced, and the crowd is the loudest it’s been all night.
“From our own town of Lavender Falls, twenty-eight year old and world champion, HAYES DONOVAN!”
The gates fly open as Hayes becomes the centre of attention. He’s a natural out there. His horse kicks and bucks, but he hangs on with one hand like it’s nothing. The clock is ticking, and the crowd chants each number as the seconds run out.
“Hayes, your hand is getting low,” Wren whispers in nervous agitation, sitting on the edge of her seat, critiquing her brother.
The time runs out and the clock buzzes, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
“HAYES DONOVAN, everyone!” The announcer joins in excitedly.
The score board ticks, and we all wait with a bated breath.
Holy shit.
Ninety-two.
Wren and I jump up, clasping our hands and screaming with excitement. Still sitting, Wren grabs onto Sarah and pulls her up. “Come on Sarah! A ninety-two! Celebrate with us!”
Sarah scrunches her nose. “I’d rather not.”
Hayes stays in the lead, and when broncs are over, he’s pinned the champion.
Intermission is announced, and as the crowds disperse for food and drinks, Wren suggests we go congratulate Hayes on his win. Dragging a groaning Sarah, we make our way over to the other side of the grounds where the riders and horses are.
“Hayes!” Wren calls out to her brother as we see him walking.
He spins around, and when his eyes find us, his face splits into a giant grin. “Lil sis!” he yells, running our way. He stops in front of Wren, picking her up and spinning her around. “Did you see that ride!?”
“I did!” She laughs, her long brown hair splaying all around as he swings her.
“Congratulations, Hayes!” I join in the celebration.
“Thanks.” He beams. He glances at Sarah and tips his chin towards her shirt. “I’ll let you take me for a ride right now.” He winks with a cocky smirk, and Sarah’s eyes narrow.
“Please. You couldn’t handle me.” She scoffs.
“I remember handling you pretty well once, sweetheart.”
“Is that why you became a bronc rider? Because you’re so good at lasting eight seconds?” She cocks her head and splits a wide grin, making him narrow his eyes at her.
“Oh, sweetheart, I can have you wet and needy and begging at my feet in under eight seconds flat. I’ll be the best damn ride of your life.”
“Please.” She rolls her eyes, stepping towards him. “I’ve never been drier than when I’m around you.”
Wren and I share a look, wondering how far these two will go volleying back and forth before she interrupts. “Right, well anyway, we just wanted to come say congratulations.” She hugs her brother and then loops her arms through mine and Sarah’s, and we head back to the stands.
We continue watching the rodeo, and when the last event of the evening ends, we’re all back to feeling a pretty good buzz and not ready to go home.
Deciding to head over to the beer gardens, we make our way over to the giant tents.
Inside, warm bodies pack together, and at the back, a local band is covering some country songs.
We stop at the bar and get some drinks and a big plate of nachos to share before making our way through the crowd to an empty table.
We sit and sip, sharing our nachos, when a shadow falls over the table making us glance up. The man from earlier today that we were watching play with the rope stands above our table, smiling at Sarah.
“Mind if I interrupt you beautiful ladies?”
Sarah leans back in her chair smiling up at him. “Don’t mind at all,” she drawls seductively.
“How about a dance?” he asks her.
Her brow cocks. “That depends. Are you as good at dancing as you are roping?”
“I’m good at a lot of things, darlin’.” He smirks suggestively, holding out his hand for her to take.
Sarah’s eyes raise, and she leans forward to grab her beer, bringing it to her red painted lips and taking a long pull while never taking her eyes off the man in front of her. “Hmm. I guess I’ll have to be the judge of that.”
She places her hand in his, and we watch as the two of them make their way to the dance floor where he pulls her tight to his body, and she begins to sway against him.
“I think we just lost Sarah.” Wren chuckles, shoving a nacho in her mouth.
“Are we surprised?” I giggle, watching as the two of them begin making out on the dance floor. I shake my head and take a pull from my own drink.
It doesn’t take long before two other men come up to our table, asking Wren and I to dance. The guys are cute enough, but there’s a certain cowboy sheriff I can’t get off my mind, so when Wren places her hand in the outstretched palm of one, I politely decline the other.
Sitting at the table alone watching my friends be twirled across the dance floor, I feel a presence behind me before West’s gruff voice whispers in my ear, his warm breath ghosting along my neck, making me shiver.
“Wanna dance?”
I turn around, smiling, and bite my bottom lip. “Why, Sheriff Cowboy, I’d love to.”
West holds out his hand for me to take, and then, like my friends, I’m whisked away to the dance floor.