I looked around the table. “I’m ready to leave.”
With a soft smile, she replied, “I can make up an excuse. Maybe I’m not feeling well?”
As tempting as Lincoln’s offer was, I knew we just had to make it a little bit longer and then we could head on out. “Nah. Let’s just push through it.”
She squeezed my hand.
Another hour went by, and finally, we were all getting up to leave. Lincoln and I headed to our room, where I jumped into the shower once more. When I walked into the bedroom, she was sound asleep.
Damn.
She looked too peaceful to even think about waking her up. I pulled the towel off my waist and crawled in next to her. I drew her to me and wrapped my hand around her, resting it on her belly. With a smile on my face, I drifted off to sleep. I’d never felt so happy and content in my life.
I pulled Dirk’s bull rope tight. He wrapped it around and tucked it into his glove.
“You get an eighty-five or above, and you’re there, buddy.”
“Yeah,” he said simply.
“Cover this bull.”
Dirk hit at his hand to tighten his hold. Titan’s Boy jumped, causing Dirk to fly forward, but Ty grabbed him. He—along with Tanner, my folks, and Blayze—had gotten here earlier this morning. I glanced out to the stands to see them all sitting there. Lincoln was holding Blayze on her lap, laughing at something he was telling her.
I turned my focus back to Dirk. “He’s gonna roll right, but don’t be surprised if he rolls left. He’s a testy little bastard.”
Dirk laughed. Adjusting himself, he took in a deep breath and gave the nod.
The gate swung open, and Titan’s Boy jumped straight up so damn far we all yelled out.
“Ride him, Dirk! Ride him!” I yelled out as Ty yelled next to me for Dirk to hang on.
Titan’s Boy gave Dirk everything he had, but it wasn’t enough. He rode the entire eight seconds. The buzzer hit, and I watched as Dirk jumped off. Pounding his fist into his chest and then sticking up his hand. The crowd went wild, and I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. Then his score of eighty-nine came in, and Ty and I both yelled out in celebration.
“You haven’t told him this is it, have you?” Ty asked as we moved down to the chute I’d be at in a bit.
“Nope.”
He laughed his ass off. “I’m glad you haven’t told him.”
Smith Morley was up next. I watched as he climbed onto his bull. If he rode his eight seconds, it was going to be neck and neck between us for number one. He’d gotten a good jump on me when I was out for those two months by riding in a few events during our off time.
The chute opened, and I watched him cover the bull. His score was eighty-six.
Taking a deep breath, I watched as they loaded Diablo. My bull rope was around him, and I swore the bastard knew that it was my rope as he looked up at me.
“Oh, hell. He’s got you in his sights, bro,” Ty said with a laugh.
“Yeah, I saw that.”
The cameras were there, and Kim was talking in the background.
I remained silent as I climbed onto Diablo. Ty grabbed the bull rope, and I ran my hand over it. My heart was pounding, but I had never been more ready to ride a bull in my life.
I could hear Kim as she stood next to Ty. “What can Brock Shaw do on Diablo to get him to number one? We’re about to find out.”
Ty pulled the rope, and I adjusted it.
He grabbed my vest, and I looked up at him. I could hear the intro music playing but quickly tuned it out as I focused solely on my brother.
“Do this, Brock. Do. This. I know you can, bro. I know you can. All you need to do is stay on him.”
I didn’t say a word as I slipped higher up on the bull. I could feel Diablo shaking under me. He was just as ready for this rematch as I was. The last time, he’d won. This time . . . I planned on winning.
After adjusting myself once more and saying a quick prayer, I gave the nod.
The gate flew open, and Diablo jetted out like the pissed-off motherfucker he was.
I let my body relax and followed him as he tried his best to throw me. The more seconds ticked by, the more pissed off he got. He kicked hard and spun as fast as he could. I swore I felt my ribs come apart again. I gritted my teeth and matched him. He spun again and tried his best to throw me off-balance, but it wasn’t working.
No way was I getting thrown from the last bull I was ever gonna ride. He was mine.