Chapter Thirteen
Maddy
“The atmosphere is electric!” Kat gasped, looking around the arena.
“Hmm,” I replied, distracted by nerves.
I felt her sharp blue stare on me, knowing, before her hand squeezed mine in comfort.
“He’s gonna be fine, Mads.”
I nodded. “I know.”
“But you’re still going to worry?”
“Yep!” I said brightly and shot her a fake grin.
She chuckled and shook her head, her straight blond hair flying around her shoulders. We made it to our seats and I looked around, spotting Daddy talking to Frank, Leo’s manager, but I couldn’t find Leo. He was probably getting ready.
Kat and I waved to some people we recognized from school then she helped me up the bleachers to our seats.
My leg was nearly healed, thanks to Leo’s support.
Between Kat and him, we’d managed to make it to every physio appointment, and because I’d done so well, I was healing strong and it looked like I wouldn’t need surgery.
My arm was almost recovered from the burn, just the scars remained but I didn’t mind them.
They were evidence of courage, and I’d wear them with pride.
“Just here?”
“No, higher,” I murmured.
“Maddy,” Kat sighed. “It’s probably easier for you if we sit here.”
“I want to be able to see everything,” I replied. But mainly because I didn’t want Leo spotting me. He was nervous and had asked me not to come today. Being the asshole I was, I didn’t listen. I’d support my friend, even if he didn’t want me to.
Kat huffed but we went higher and she helped me up as best she could.
I was strong but damn, this cast was heavy and movement was tough.
And don’t even get me started on the itching that was impossible to scratch.
I was also terrified of how hairy my leg was under there.
Five months without shaving. I shuddered at the thought.
Only a few more days and the cast would be off.
We settled into our seats and I looked around, looking for Leo’s blond hair under his brown Stetson.
Just then, like my thoughts summoned him, he appeared.
He was dressed in his full bull riding outfit.
Black Wranglers stretched around his hips and thighs, underneath his black fringed chaps.
He had a blue Henley on under the protective vest he had to wear, and he was tugging his gloves on.
Most bull riders tended to be smaller and stockier in build; it helped with balance and agility while on the bull. Leo was a big guy, not only tall but wide and built thick with muscle. What he lacked in agility, he more than made up for in brute strength.
Leo made his way over to Frank and Daddy. Frank removed Leo’s Stetson and put his helmet on for him, talking to him. I could see Leo nodding along, his face pulled tight in concentration.
“Eight seconds,” I murmured to myself, flexing my hands from where they’d gripped each other tight. “It’s only eight seconds max.”
“He’ll be fine, Maddy. He’s done this a thousand times,” Kat soothed, nudging my shoulder.
“Yeah, and I’ve put out a thousand fires, look what happened on the last one.”
Kat hissed in a breath. “Don’t say that!”
“I’m sorry.” I ducked my head. “I’m just nervous.”
“Well, stop it or you’re gonna give him some bad luck.”
I’d been desk-bound since the accident, and I was going insane from not being in on the action.
As nervous as I was to return to active duty, I needed to get back out there.
I wasn’t made for paperwork. I had an appointment in two weeks for the doctor to sign me off for active duty again and I was praying I passed with flying colors.
A loud clanging grabbed my attention, and I saw that it was coming from the bull in the chute where Leo was.
The bull was pissed. Not surprising of course, but the more aggressive the bull, the higher the chances of getting hurt.
And seeing it fighting to get out of the chute did not lessen my fears.
There were several bulls lined up ready to go, and we watched a few of the rides before Leo’s. A few wrecks were pretty bad, but the bull fighters were good at drawing the beast’s attention away from the rider.
Then the commentator announced Leo and I watched him signal to the gate crew that he was ready, a simple nod, and then the chute was opened.
Leo’s arm was raised high, the other wrapped around the flank strap and the bull came out immediately, banging into the metal gate and bucking wildly, leaping high and kicking its hind legs.
My heart was in my mouth watching Leo get thrown around. He was strong but this bull was giving him a run for his money. I glanced at the clock. How had it only been four seconds?
Just then, the bull gave an almighty buck and flung Leo off and into the chute gate.
The sound churned my stomach, and I leaped up in horror, my leg cast forgotten.
The bull fighters distracted the bull and managed to get it out of the arena and there was silence as the crowd watched, waiting for Leo to get up.
“Get me down there,” I demanded, holding my hand out to Kat.
She knew better than to argue with me when Leo was injured and immediately helped me shuffle down the steps.
The crowd started cheering and I peeked over the edge, into the arena in time to see Leo being helped to his feet.
His smile was tight, not its usual wattage and he had one arm wrapped around his midsection as he waved at the crowd with his other.
My worry didn’t lessen. It wouldn’t until I saw and spoke to him.
By the time we’d gotten through the crowd and down to the locker rooms, he was nowhere to be seen. I broke away from Kat and limped over to the door.
“Maddy, you can’t just waltz into the men’s locker room!” Kat hissed, coming after me and grabbing my hand.
“I need to know he’s okay.”
“Give him a minute to get checked over. Don’t just storm in there like you’re the hero trying to save him. All you’ll see is other guys’ junk,” she rolled her eyes.
We waited, leaning against the wall until eventually a man came out. He spotted me and a small smile split his lips.
“Hey, you’re Madison, right?”
I nodded. “Maddy. Is Leo okay?”
His smile widened and his eyes swept over me. “Yeah, he’s doing just fine.” The tension in my shoulders eased slightly at his words. “I’m Dustin, I know Leo from the circuit,” he continued.
“Nice to meet you, Dustin,” I replied. He had a cocky air about him which wasn’t altogether unattractive.
“Leo’s just getting checked over but he’ll be out in a minute.” Dustin nodded towards the locker door, his dark hair falling over his forehead in a super cute wave.
“Good to know.” My worry wouldn’t abate fully until I’d seen Leo for myself.
“He’s had worse,” Dustin said, coming over to stand next to me. I met Kat’s eye over his shoulder and she smirked at me.
“Not helpful, Dusty,” I sighed.
“I just mean that he’s going to be fine. He’s recovered from worse. That’s probably the meanest bull he’s drawn so far. And with him missing so much training the last few months, it’s not a surprise he couldn’t handle it.”
My spidey senses started tingling. “What do you mean?”
Dustin shrugged his shoulders, hair flopping forward again. Dang, he was attractive.
“Well, ever since he turned down the Challenger tour and missed out on Texas, again, he’s not been back at it one hundred percent. If you ask me, maybe he’s not cut out for it.”
I frowned. “Turned down Challenger? And wait, what was Texas?”
“He had the opportunity to go tour with some of the big boys in the league. Mind you that’s the second time he’s turned it down.” His smile transformed into a smug smirk. “Worked out well for me last time, I got his slot.”
“Didn’t you get thrown in three seconds tonight?” Kat piped up.
Dustin’s cheeks turned pink, smug smile falling. “Most riders get thrown.”
Suddenly things were slotting into place. “When did he turn down Challenger, was it a few months ago?”
Dustin scrubbed his jaw. “I think so, yeah. He won’t get many more chances now, it’s not a career that lasts past your prime, if you know what I mean.”
“It was nice meeting you, Dusty,” I said and shoved off the wall, barging into the locker room.
“Maddy!” Kat shouted after me but I ignored her.
“Leonardo Valkner!” I shouted as I hobbled around the rows of lockers looking for him.
I found him on a bench, Wranglers and chaps still on but his shirt, vest and helmet were off, his blond hair damp and curling at the ends. My eyes dropped to his sculpted chest where light brown hair dusted across the center. I hadn’t noticed that before.
He was leaning back on the bench, stretching his torso as a doctor poked around his ribs, which already had a reddy-purple shadow forming over them.
“Maddy,” he grunted. “Get out.”
“No.” I stood in front of him, folding my arms over my chest. I’d wait until the doctor was done. Leo glared at me the entire time, even when the doctor prodded too hard and he hissed between his teeth, his eyes didn’t leave mine.
“They aren’t broken so that’s good news, but badly bruised. No more riding for you until they’re healed. I’ll see how you are in a couple of weeks and then we’ll go from there.”
“Thanks, Doc,” Leo said through gritted teeth.
The tension grew as the doctor packed up his equipment and then looked between us before hurrying out of the room.
Neither of us said anything for a minute, just breathing deeply and glaring. Then we both spoke at once.
“You promised you wouldn’t come!”
“You haven’t been training!”
He opened his mouth to rebut but then clamped his lips shut.
“Will you sit down, rest your leg?”
I rolled my eyes. “I’ve rested it for five fucking months, I can stand up.”
He sat forward, flinching and clutching his side. My stomach dipped, I hated seeing him injured. He stood up, drawing himself to his full height, towering over me, but he didn’t scare me. I’d known him too long and I was too pissed.
“Why did you come when I asked you not to?” he demanded.
“Don’t even start with me, Leo,” I wagged my finger at him. “Why the fuck haven’t you been training properly?”