After a moment of silence, Nick let out a heavy sigh. “Four seconds would probably do it.”
Cord let out a whoop of triumph. “So you’ll teach me?”
“I’m in the middle of my summer semester at dental school. I barely have time to eat and sleep, much less drive from Houston to Sage Valley to give you bull riding lessons.”
His premature celebration plummeted. “I guess I’m going to die, then.”
“You’re not going to die. But you’re going to hurt. A lot.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve got a buddy who gives bull riding lessons in Houston. They do group lessons, mostly to city dudes with more macho than common sense, which fits you to a T. It’s Friday to Sunday, and it’s not cheap. But he can at least teach you how to look like a bull rider during the two seconds before you get bucked off.”
“You said I needed to stay on four seconds to earn Mason’s respect.”
“Yeah, but four seconds would take a miracle.” Nick’s laughter rang in his ear. “I gotta come watch this. Never thought I’d see the day.”
“Thanks a lot,” he sugared his words with sarcasm.
“I’m sorry, man.” Nick caught his breath. “Honestly, if you’re going to do this, the main thing you need to practice is jumping up from the ground into a full-blown sprint. That’s how you stay alive.”
Cord clung to the vain hope that he wouldn’t embarrass himself. He couldn’t stand the thought of Jessica laughing at him. Which reminded him that Nick had let him down in that regard.
“By the way, why didn’t you tell me when you found out your sister was working here this summer?”
“Why should you care that J.J.’s staying with Nanna and Bucky?” Too perceptive for his own good, Nick sounded suspicious.
“No reason.” Cord used an indifferent tone.
“Should I report where Zander and Cohen are going on their vacations?”
“I don’t care where your brothers go on vacations, but your sister is here. And like an idiot, I didn’t recognize her.”
“Ha! That’s hilarious. I guess you haven’t seen her in a while. That’s what you get for running off to New York and never coming back.”
“I think you set me up on purpose,” Cord accused.
“Sad to say, I didn’t do that. Although I would’ve if I’d thought of it.”
“With friends like you…”
“Who needs any other friends? I know, right?”
“Funny, Nick.”
“I have a great idea,” Nick said, with enthusiasm.
“I doubt I’m going to agree.”
Undaunted, Nick continued, “You’ll be my watch dog. I don’t want Jess dating anyone in Sage Valley, so you can be in charge of keeping all the guys away from her.”
I guess now’s not the time to tell Nick I’m interested in Jess.
“Why don’t you want her dating?”
“Her fiancé just broke up with her, and she’s primed for a rebound relationship.”
Cord’s fingers balled into fists, knowing someone had hurt her.