“I think she meant dumb as a rock,” I offered with a suppressed smile.
He threw his head back and laughed, flashing his white teeth. “Touché. At least you admitted I’m pretty. That’ll keep me warm at night.”
My cheeks warmed and I looked at my feet. Blushing around Hunter was not something I did. I didn’t know what was wrong with me.
“Listen, I’ve got to get this bull back to his pen and get ready for the fair’s opening ceremony,” he said, his eyes never leaving my face. “See you later, Char?”
I nodded. “Yes. And then we’re watching our first movie tonight.”
It was the official return of our movie night. I’d missed them desperately. If there was one thing that could chase away the awkwardness of seeing Hunter again, it was the continuation of our weekly movie nights. After that, everything would fall into place.
“Wouldn’t miss it for anything.” Hunter shot me one last lingering smile and then waved goodbye to the other girls.
We watched him leave and I was pretty sure every single one of us were appreciating the tightness of his jeans. Sarah especially, because when I glanced over at her, she was rubbing her lips together and staring at him as if he were a slice of chocolate cream pie. I had to shake my head to loosen the strange surges of female hormones grabbing ahold of me. If I wanted to stare at a cowboy, there were plenty more around here who weren’t my best friend.
“Guys, I got to get to work before my mom calls the national guard to bring me in,” I said, glancing down at the time on my phone. “You can check out the boys later.”
Lexi sighed dreamily beside me, as if she hadn’t heard me. “Did you see those cowboys? I mean, did you really see them? Those boots. Those rugged muscles.”
“Or those jeans?” Beth giggled. “I think I’m in love. Every man should own a pair. They’re the only things worth distracting me from my video games.”
Sarah tossed her hair one last time and threw me a smile that hinted at nastiness. “You know, Lottie, I’m not sure how you do it. If I had a best friend who looked like that, I’d have a hard time not falling for him. Hunter’s delicious. You sure do know how to pick them.”
Dread cast a shadow over my head as Sarah’s lips twisted into a scheming smile. I wasn’t sure what her plans were for Hunter, but the last thing he needed after moving back to Rock Valley was to become another victim of Sarah Claiborne.
And the truth was, I wasn’t competition when it came to dating Hunter. He and I had a pact. We’d set it back in seventh grade. Never reveal the top-secret location of our hangout. Always make up after a fight. And never ever fall for each other. If we followed that, we’d never hurt our friendship. It was an unbreakable agreement.
“You’re delusional,” I told her with a nervous laugh. “Those boys with their tight jeans are going to your head.”
Lexi and Beth snorted with laughter, but Sarah shot me one last superior smile before turning on her heels to march away. Even as she disappeared from view, her words flitted around my head like bees, resisting my attempts to swat them away.
No, I would not be falling for Hunter. He knew the rules. So did I.
My best friend was back, and nothing was going to change between us. One way or another, I’d find a way to get my life back to normal.
Even if I had to fight a bull to make sure it happened.
Or, every mean girl at Rock Valley High.
Chapter Two
It was the shift that was going to break me.
Normally, working in my parents’ diner wasn’t the end of the world. I’d sling a few meals, wipe a few tables, and be done with it. But it seemed like this Sunday, every crazy family in Rock Valley was eating here. I’d already had to change one guy’s order three times because he couldn’t commit to a single meal. Another table had three kids throwing food like it was confetti. And finally, there was the table of freeloaders currently flagging me down as I ran to grab a broom.
“Hey, Charlotte, can I get another one of those waffles?” Beth asked, waving her hand in the air as she sat across from Lexi in the booth typically reserved for my older sister, Mandy, and me.
I sighed and tightened my ponytail. Thankfully, my shift was pretty much over and the next waitress had already clocked in. Grabbing a waffle from Mom’s newest batch in the kitchen, I hurried over to the booth and slid it onto the table.
“I thought you guys had better things to do today than hang around the diner,” I said, eyeing them both sternly. “At this rate, our sisters might think we’re becoming actual friends.”
“Nah.” Lexi snatched a piece of the waffle, uttered a moan, and crossed her eyes as she bit into it. “If they’re going to force us to be friends, we’re not going to pass up the perks. My mom is a horrible cook. Yours rocks.”
I raised my eyebrow at Beth, and she shrugged with a cheek stuffed full of waffle. “I never say no to free food that didn’t come from the freezer section.”
The only thing I could do was hope they didn’t stick around all day. I had plans. After the opening ceremony of the fair today, Hunter and I were going to catch up on a year’s worth of best friend activities. I was thinking of resurrecting movie night with an obscene amount of sugar. That sounded perfect. A couple hours together and whatever awkward feelings I’d had this morning at the arena would be gone.
“So...you and Sarah Claiborne really seem to hate each other,” Lexi said, wiping her mouth daintily with a napkin as if not to mess with her perfectly applied lipliner and red lipstick. “At least, that’s the feeling I got at the arena this morning.”
She gazed up expectantly at me, as if waiting for me to drop the details, but I wasn’t ready to share more than needed. Besides, most of the school had heard about my accident.
After Hunter had left, it’d taken me months to get my feet underneath me again. I wasn’t great at putting myself out there and making new friends. It wasn’t until Sarah complimented me on my clothes once at school that I thought I finally had a chance to move on. I’d thought getting on Sarah’s good side was my goal in life. Instead, she and her friends had treated me like dirt. I’d been clueless about it, until I’d gotten drunk and nearly drowned at the Cascades two months ago during a fight with my sister.
I couldn’t blame Sarah for the stupid decisions I’d made, but I liked to think that if she hadn’t been so awful when I was vulnerable and lonely, I might not have gone down that road. And I wouldn’t be working every week at the diner this summer as a punishment my parents had chosen to teach me about personal responsibility — until I could prove to them that I’d changed.
It would take a miracle to make that happen.
“She’s awful and that’s all I’m going to say about it.” I slid into the booth next to Beth and grunted to punctuate my point.
“So I guess you wouldn’t approve of her dating Hunter?” Beth asked, the scent of maple syrup strong on her breath. The dark look I shot her made her snort with laughter into her napkin. “Okay, I’ll take that as a no.”
Lexi shrugged and placed her elbows on the table across from us, blinking her unnaturally long eyelashes. “Maybe you should ask him out. I saw the way he looks at you. I’ll bet he’d say yes in a heartbeat.”
I threw my head back and let out a dry laugh. No way did Hunter McNally look at me as anything other than the girl he used to dunk in the above ground pool behind his house each summer and trade Sour Patch Kids candies with. I was firmly in the friend zone with him and that was the way we both liked it. That would never change.
“You guys are hilarious,” I said. “Really, you should start a comedy show.”
Beth wrinkled her nose. “If you won’t ask him out, then I guess he’s free for the taking. Sarah’s like a great white shark. She’s already circling in the water. I’ll bet she snaps him up before the end of the fair.”
The image of Sarah as a massive shark devouring my friend gave me a sour stomach. I grimaced and grabbed a glass of water to help clear t
he sensation. There was no way I could let that happen. I’d protect my friend...somehow.
“Charlotte, you didn’t tell me you had friends here!” Mom popped up behind the counter with a beaming smile. Her long blonde hair was pulled into a tight bun at the nape of her neck, her apron dusted with flour. She hustled around the counter to rush our booth. “I didn’t know you were hanging out with Lexi and Beth! This is the best thing since sliced bread!”
I groaned into my hands. Mom got a little too excited about things sometimes. If it were up to her, she’d throw a freaking parade every time I managed to turn in a homework assignment on time. I think it was her way of making up for missing the signs that I was having so much trouble this past year. Nobody blamed her. Between the busy restaurant and her heart issues, she and Dad both had enough on their plate.
“Mom, settle down. We’re just hanging out because our sisters got the idea that we should be friends and they won’t leave us alone until we do.”
“And I fully support that idea,” she said, leaning on the booth. “Nice to see you, girls.”
They both greeted my mom politely, which only served to make her smile grow brighter. She was like our new chocolate Labrador — pat her on the head for two seconds and suddenly we were friends for life. “I can’t believe you babies are all going to be juniors this fall. You’re in for a great year. I think junior year is the best.”
“Oh, I don’t know about junior year,” Lexi said, bouncing in her seat. “I’m just excited about this summer. The 4H county fair starts tonight. We’re talking cowboys, fuzzy animals, and the Junior Rodeo Queen competition. They opened it up to all girls in the county this year. I’m hoping one of them will let me do their hair and makeup. I’ve been dying to do a project that would get me some public attention.”
Mom looked at me, her blue eyes widening. “Charlotte, did you know about the county fair?”
It wasn’t hard to see where this was going. She and Dad had been practically throwing me at random events since summer started as a way to help me find a passion. So far, we were zero for ten. Surprisingly, badminton and harmonica lessons didn’t stick.
I shot her a thin-lipped smile. “Yep. I’m actually going to the opening ceremony this afternoon with Hunter.”
“And there’s a rodeo queen competition,” she said, biting her lower lip. I could practically hear the wheels turning in her head. “That sounds like fun. What kind of stuff do they do for that, Lexi?”
Lexi licked her lips and then counted off her fingers. “From what I’ve heard, there’s a pie baking contest. They get to judge a few exhibits and be models in the 4H fashion show. But the best part is the rodeo on Friday night. They all get to ride in on horses for the crowning.”
“Horses?” Mom repeated breathlessly. Her blue eyes darted to mine. “You used to love horses as a kid, Charlotte. Maybe you should enter.”
“Yeah, Charlotte,” Lexi said beside me, wagging her eyebrows at me. “You should enter. Just think—hot cowboys.”
“And chaps,” Beth added, her smile dreamy.
Lexi clapped her hands together and grinned. “Or, the possibility of knocking Sarah off her high-horse...literally. They close the signup sheet right before the opening ceremony today. You’ve still got time.”
I snorted. What world were they all living in? “Mom, I would probably kill myself on one of those things. Animals don’t like me. And besides, I don’t want to enter some backwoods, set-women-back-a-hundred-years kind of competition. I think I’m okay.”
Mom crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. The tiny blue vein in her temple throbbed. It was the tell-tale sign that her stubborn side was coming out. “Well, even if you don’t enter, you should at least check out what the fair has to offer. Your dad and I want you to find something to put your heart into this year. Something that’ll keep you out of trouble.”
“Mom...” My eyes darted to Beth and Lexi. They didn’t need to hear about this. “Not now...”
“You can’t keep pushing this off forever, my dear.” Mom grabbed the empty dishes from the table and piled them in her arms. “You’ve got to find something to do this summer. Your sister’s at a getaway this week for her new college track team. I’m sure she’s having the time of her life. I’d like to see you having similar experiences. The time to do it is now, while you’re young. I’m putting my foot down.”
“Maybe the fair isn’t Charlotte’s style,” Lexi offered, her eyes wide as if she were a deer stuck in headlights. I had the feeling she was trying to backpedal to save my rear end. “Maybe she could take up cross country skiing. Or the guitar. Or she should take that basket weaving class that begins over at the library tomorrow. That could be fun.”
“Now, that sounds like a good idea.” Mom nodded sharply and I about collapsed and slipped beneath the table. Lexi didn’t know how to keep her mouth shut. “Thank you for the idea. I think I will sign her up for basket weaving. It certainly couldn’t hurt. Something’s got to work.”
I gaped at her. “Mom...”
“If you won’t put yourself out there, I will,” she said, backing away from the counter and smiling at Beth and Lexi. “Thank you for the suggestions, girls. Have fun at the fair. I’d better get back to my kitchen before Charlotte’s dad burns something.”
When she was out of sight, I turned back to the table with a frown. “I didn’t need your help. Thanks for that. Now, I’m going to have to spend my summer basket weaving.”
“I’m sorry.” Lexi raked her fingertips down her face. “I word vomit when I get nervous. I was just trying to help.”
“By throwing the Rodeo Queen competition in her face?” I asked, folding my arms and leaning back to pout. “That’s Sarah’s domain. Bet you a million dollars she wins. Those other girls don’t stand a chance.”
“I don’t know about that,” Beth grumbled, staring down at the waffle she’d stabbed with her fork. “Honestly, I think you should join the competition. You’d probably kick her butt and it would be fun to see Sarah lose for once. Serves her right after that cow comment this morning.”
My jaw about hit the floor. They really knew nothing about me. There was no way I could enter a competition like that. I wouldn’t even know where to begin.
There was nothing remotely special about me. No talents. No outstanding beauty. No irresistible charm. Nothing that would make me stick out and win something like that. The very thought of putting myself through that made me sick to my stomach.
Lexi nodded to herself, completely ignoring my silent reaction. “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. Charlotte should be the Rock Valley Rodeo Queen. She deserves it more than Sarah. And she could totally win.”
“I don’t know, guys...” I stared at the sticky syrup containers in the middle of the table.
For one split second, the idea of beating Sarah at her own game wormed its way into my head and I couldn’t help but smile. It would almost be the perfect revenge for the way she’d treated me this year. All the passive aggressive comments about me not being cool enough. The times she’d given me back-handed compliments that left me even more insecure. And not to mention, the times she’d just made me plain miserable.
Lexi must’ve taken my silence for agreement because she inhaled sharply and bounced in her seat, her face glowing with excitement. “Oh, please let me do your makeup and hair for the contest, Char. It’s my dream to be a makeup artist. This would help build my street cred.”
“What? No way.” I waved her away. The brief flare of pleasure I’d gotten at the idea of beating Sarah had gone out like a match thrown into a bucket of water. No way. No how was I going down that road. “I’m not going to make the mistake of challenging Sarah. She can have her rodeo crown as long as she leaves me and my friends alone.”
All I wanted was a summer with just me and Hunter. A summer where we could hang out, watch our movies, and things could go back to normal. Fighting Sarah for a crown that meant nothing to me was asking for trouble. I refused to g
o there.
Lexi deflated, her lower lip pouting. “That stinks. I think you’d make a great rodeo queen. You’ve already got the big hair.”
I made a face at her, trying not to take that as an insult. “Yeah, right.”
“And it’s better than basket weaving,” Beth offered with a shrug.
“No way, guys.” I held up my hands. “I am not doing it. I’d be publicly humiliated.”
“Or...you’d win yourself a sexy cowboy.” Lexi wagged her eyebrows and elbowed me. “That might be a risk worth taking. I think you’d be great. You really need to enter this contest.”
I wasn’t sure why Hunter’s face popped up in my mind the moment she said that, or why my gut twisted with a strange kind of need, but I shook it off as quickly as it came. There was no way I would enter that competition. Not even to avoid all the basket weaving courses in the world. That wasn’t me. The only thing I wanted to think about was seeing my best friend again.
“You guys are barking up the wrong tree,” I said, slipping out of the booth. “The last thing I want to do right now is take Sarah on. I’d never win. I’ve got no talents, no skills, absolutely nothing to offer. They probably wouldn’t even let me sign up for it in the first place. You know it’s true.”
Lexi and Beth exchanged disbelieving looks across the table. Still, I faced them both with my fists on my hips.
“Now, if you’re done using me for free food, I’ve got to meet Hunter at the opening ceremony. You coming, or what?”
“Actually, we’ll meet you there,” Lexi said slowly, shooting a glance at Beth. “We’ve got an...errand to run for my mom first. Right, Beth?”
Beth jumped, her forehead wrinkled. “Yeah...right. An errand. For her mom.”
Lexi turned back to me with a sickly-sweet smile. “Save us a seat, Char.”
My eyes narrowed at her, but I let her secrecy and use of my nickname roll off my back. It didn’t matter to me what they did. The ceremony was about to start, and Hunter was waiting for me. That was all that mattered.
Dare You to Resist the Bull Rider (Rock Valley High Book 4) Page 2
