“Okay, you’re right.” I whimpered into my knees. “I don’t want to forget him. But I also don’t want to feel this way ever again.”
Lexi’s eyes softened and she scooted close enough to rest her hand on my knee. “I know, girly. I’m sorry.”
Beth moved closer on my other side. “Just know, we’re going to help you through this. I promise.”
I sent teary-eyed smiles to both of them. For the first time, I felt grateful for Mandy and her friends’ evil plans to make us all best friends. I wasn’t sure I would’ve survived this without them. With their help, I was going to come out on the other side—maybe a little sadder—but never lonely.
“I think I’d better get ready for the rodeo,” I said, standing up and brushing off the wood chips from my jeans. A fire had flared up inside of me. It felt like determination. “I’ve still got a crown to take from under Sarah’s nose. You girls in?”
“Oh yeah, baby.” Lexi rubbed her hands together. “I’ve been waiting for the day that Sarah gets what’s coming to her. I can’t wait to see you rub her perky little nose in the dirt.”
Beth draped her arm over my shoulder as we exited the pen. “Personally, I’m just ready to see Ms. Gentry’s face when you take that crown. We had to beg her to let you in and now, you’re gunning for top spot. She might have a stroke.”
I smiled to myself. Ms. Gentry had been surprising. She probably wasn’t as disapproving as we thought. The contest was her daughter’s legacy. She had a right to try and protect it. I only hoped that I would make her proud today.
“Come on, I’ve got to make sure my horse is ready,” I said, looping my arms through theirs. “And I guarantee, there will be some hot cowboys around for you two to drool over.”
They both squealed with happiness as we made our way over to the arena. I kept my eyes peeled for my ex-best friend, but he was nowhere in sight. And as the time drew near for the Junior Rodeo Queen contestants to open for the rodeo, the slight tingle of nerves began in my stomach. There would be no avoiding Hunter once everything started. The cowboys and the contestants were supposed to sit in the same area of the bleachers.
One way or another, Hunter was going to have to face me.
And I was going to have to learn how to let him go.
Chapter Twenty-One
It was a hard act to follow the clowns.
Especially when it came to rodeo clowns. My thighs twitched nervously against the worn leather of Carolina’s saddle as I waited in a line near the arena gate with the rest of the contestants. After an opening act by the clowns, we were supposed to enter for our grand moment of trotting around the arena in two figure eights and then pull into a line in the middle, smiling and waving the entire time. As if that were as simple as walking down the street.
Some of these girls were going to be lucky not to fall right out of their saddles.
For the first time in this competition, I felt ready to compete. My wrist was back to normal. Lexi had done a bomb job on my outfit and makeup. And riding a horse was starting to become like second nature.
It was all because of Hunter.
Lexi’s little friend-tervention with the petting zoo had worked. I no longer wanted to erase my ex-best friend from my memories. The overwhelming hurt and the pain from his rejection had begun to settle into a painful lump right in the middle of my stomach. I might never get over the way I felt for him, but if he didn’t want to be together—even if I was sure he had feelings for me too—then I wouldn’t hold it against him.
I needed to see him. To know that he was okay. That was the only thing that mattered.
And then I’d let him go.
“Ladies, sit tall and smile,” Ms. Gentry said, walking down the line of contestants and giving us each a quick look-over. “Remember, you will be judged on your performance today. Your poise. Your ability to handle your ride. And your interaction with the deserving crowd. Do not forget that.”
Our gazes met as she passed by me and a little smile tugged at her lips. I returned it, shifting in my saddle just the slightest, and then urged Carolina forward when the line began to move. The crowd applauded and whistled as we entered the arena. It was like walking out onto the football field during state championships. I put my weight into the stirrups and let Carolina take the lead as I smiled and waved at everyone. It felt great.
For the first time in months, I didn’t feel like the freak who’d almost drowned herself. No, that wasn’t me anymore. Now, I could hold my head up high. I could’ve sworn I had a glow radiating from my face. My parents must’ve seen it, too. When I caught a glimpse of them sitting in the front row, they were both in tears and clapping for me. Their daughter who’d put them through so much stress and heartache.
I was going to do better from here on out, no matter what it took.
The rest of the ride went equally as smoothly. Carolina acted as if she’d done this a million times and followed my commands with ease. When we finally trotted out of the arena, I could barely hold in my excitement. I’d nailed it! The contest was anyone’s game, now.
Of course, Sarah had to be feeling the pressure from the way she slid off her horse and kicked angrily at the dirt. I couldn’t help but wonder how she’d done. Honestly, I’d been too busy feeling the thrill of the ride to pay any attention to her. Even if Sarah did end up winning, it had still been worth every minute.
Lexi and Beth came hustling toward me. I handed off Carolina’s reins to one of the Oakie boys and beamed at them. They surrounded me with a hug that felt so right after the week we’d been through.
“I’m so relieved the scoring is over,” I said, sighing deeply. “But am I crazy to say that I kind of want to ride through the arena again?”
“No way, you looked like a natural in that saddle,” Beth said, playfully shoving my shoulder. “You should definitely ride again.”
Lexi wagged her eyebrows. “And maybe then you can be in the rodeo next year.”
That wasn’t such a bad idea. Graham had mentioned the gals who did barrel racing. That actually sounded like fun. Maybe I really could find something I was passionate about at the fair. Of course, that would mean finding a horse. I couldn’t ride Hunter’s forever...not with the way things had ended between us.
“Have you guys seen Hunter?” I asked, scanning the crowd over their shoulders.
He should’ve been here by now. The rodeo was well underway. They’d already started setting up for the steer wrestling event.
Lexi bit her bottom lip and shook her head. “We haven’t seen him. But we heard from some Rock Valley kids that they saw a bunch of cop cars at his house on their way to the fairgrounds. Wonder what that’s about.”
The blood drained from my face. Cop cars? At Hunter’s house? There could be only one reasonable explanation for that and Hunter’s absence from the arena: Steven. I felt it in my bones. He’d violated the protection order. And judging from his temper the other night, there was no telling what kind of damage he’d done to my best friend.
“I have to go to him,” I said, patting my pockets for my car keys. “His mom’s ex-boyfriend is super dangerous. I have to be sure he’s okay.”
Panic was making my hands shaky and I could barely control their jerky motions as I came up empty. Oh yeah, I didn’t drive here. And I’d left my phone with my parents.
“It’s okay. I’ll drive.” Beth put her arm around my shoulder. “We’ll get you there.”
“I’m coming, too,” Lexi piped up.
I smiled gratefully at them. They were missing all the hot cowboys for me. That was definitely real friendship.
Ms. Gentry stood nearby, her expression serene as she waded through the girls and congratulated each of them for a job well done. I glanced hesitantly over at her, wondering if she’d hate me for running out on her contest. There was no guarantee I’d be back in time. The crowning was just before the final event of the night—bull riding. But I couldn’t leave without saying something. Not when I knew how much
this meant to her.
“Ms. Gentry?” I stepped toward her, leaving the girls waiting behind me. She turned toward me, her smile brightening.
“Ms. Hale, I must say, that was quite an impressive ride. I might even go as far as to say that you surprised not only me, but yourself during this competition. Is that not so?”
“I definitely surprised myself,” I said, reaching for her arm. “Thank you, Ms. Gentry. I’m sorry I was such a pain in the beginning.”
She smiled softly. “Not a pain. Just a girl needing a bit of direction. And now, you’ve finished. Just the final ceremony to go.”
That was too kind of her. I’d been a snob about the competition and everything it contained. I could only hope I’d changed for the better. Still, that didn’t make what I had to say any easier.
“Please don’t hate me, but I have to go.” I glanced over at my shoulder to see Lexi and Beth watching me. Urgency thrummed through my body like an SOS signal. “My best friend in the world, he might be hurt. And I know he needs me. But I’m not sure if I’ll be back in time for the crowning ceremony. Is that okay?”
A small wave of shock passed over Ms. Gentry’s face, but to her credit, she recovered quickly. Her eyes searched me for a moment. I stared back at her, trying to mentally show her just how important this was. I couldn’t leave Hunter hanging. It didn’t matter what had happened between us, I needed to be there for him.
“Go,” Ms. Gentry said gently, reaching out to squeeze my shoulder. “I know you wouldn’t leave if you didn’t feel it was of the upmost importance. I hope that your friend is fine.”
I wrapped my arms around her thin waist and hugged her quickly. As I pulled away, I saw the surprise on her face morph into a pleased smile. She shooed me away with her hands and I ran after Lexi and Beth as we hurried toward the car.
The contest no longer mattered. Beating Sarah Claiborne felt like the plans of a child. The only thing that mattered was my best friend.
I could only pray that he was okay.
Chapter Twenty-Two
I’d never seen so many cop cars.
Those kids hadn’t been lying. Something big had gone down at Hunter’s house. Fear swept over me as Beth pulled into the drive. She hadn’t even put the car in park before I was out of the passenger side and sprinting toward the front door. This time, I didn’t wait to knock. I burst right into the living room, where Bree sat huddled on the couch, surrounded by four police officers in dark blue uniforms.
“Bree!”
I froze as all five people blinked up at me in surprise. Bree rubbed her hands over her face, looking more haggard and exhausted than I’d ever seen her. Her cheeks were splotchy and her eyes bloodshot, as if she’d been crying. I wasn’t sure what to do. My eyes trailed over to where the TV lay shattered on the floor and to the fist-sized hole in the drywall. The violence of it all sent terrifying tremors cascading down my body. Then, Bree held her arms out to me and I rushed her for a hug.
“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice muffled in her t-shirt. “What happened? Where’s Hunter?”
She released me from her crushing hug and sighed heavily. “I’m okay, baby girl. We just had an unwanted visitor this evening.”
I set my jaw and kneeled on the ground in front of her. “Was it Steven? Did he hurt you again?”
Her eyes widened for a mere second before she smiled sadly at me. “I guess I’m not surprised Hunter told you about that. Yeah, it was Steven. He was stinking drunk and mad as a hornet. He barged in just as we were trying to leave for the rodeo. He was horrible. Hunter protected me.”
Not a single ounce of me was surprised that Hunter had stood up for his mom. He was that kind of guy. Just as he had stood up for me at the sheep washing and again at the movie theater. He had a superhero complex, and it made me love him all the more.
I scanned the room, before my gaze returned to her face. “Where is he? Is he okay?”
“He’s taking a quiet moment in his room.” Bree nodded toward the hallway. “Go to him. I’m sure he’d want to see you.”
My boots scuffed on the hardwood floor as I hurried to my feet and rushed down the hall. Once again, knocking was not a concept I was patient enough to use. I pushed through the door to Hunter’s room, taking a step inside.
Hunter sat in a position on the edge of his bed that mirrored his mother’s on the couch. He was hunched over, his face in his hand. His red flannel shirt was half untucked and torn on the shoulder. My lungs sucked in a breath as he looked up from his hands and his hazel eyes landed on me. The tired lines around his mouth and eyes had aged him a decade. There was a white bandage on his temple and a cut on his lip. Still, he blinked in surprise, and began to stand.
“Don’t get up.” I rushed him, reaching for the bandage on his head. “What did he do to you? Where are you hurt?”
Seeing the red beginnings of a bruise on his cheek was making my heart pound harder. Anger seethed in my stomach. Steven had done this. That hulking, nasty excuse of a man had hurt my best friend. I wanted to put the cuffs on him myself. He’d hurt the sweetest boy in the world. He deserved to be behind bars. Forever.
“Charlotte, the EMTs already checked me out,” Hunter muttered as I tenderly ran my fingertips over his temples, searching for anything they’d missed. It wasn’t good enough. He could’ve had internal injuries.
“I think you should go to the hospital,” I said, turning his chin so I could see the bruise on his cheek better. “You could have a concussion. Or a brain bleed. I heard about a kid who hit his head during football and had an aneurysm. You never can be too careful, you know?”
He grabbed both of my hands with his and pulled them gently down from his face. “Char Char, I’m fine. I promise. It’s just a little bump.”
“But you don’t look fine.”
His lips curved into the slightest of a teasing grin. “Yeah, well, you should see the other guy.”
I sat on the bed beside him, still holding tight to his right hand. He turned toward me, our knees bumping.
“What happened?” I demanded. “Bree said Steven came by.”
“Yeah, he came by alright.” He rubbed the back of his head and grimaced. “Drunk and spitting mad. He forced his way into the house, going after my mom.”
I squeezed his hand. My insides were a jumbled mess. Partly from the adrenaline still surging through my veins when I’d first heard about the cops. But also, because sitting this close to Hunter again, holding his hand, was still enough to make me melt like an ice cream cone in the middle of summer.
“What did you do?” I asked, trying to shove those feelings back down.
He wove his fingers into mine and held my hand tight. “What I’d wished I could’ve done a year ago. He punched a wall. Broke our TV. And when he wouldn’t back down, I took him down to the ground. Mom called the cops while I had him pinned. You should’ve seen his face, Char. He was so shocked. I proved to him I wasn’t that kid he could push around anymore.”
My heart pattered violently at the thought of Hunter facing that hulking man alone. I was so grateful he hadn’t been hurt more than a couple scrapes and a bruise. It could’ve been so much worse.
“I’m just so glad that you’re okay.” I stared into his eyes, hoping that I could show him just how serious I was when I said that. It didn’t matter that he didn’t want to be friends anymore. I would always care about him. “I really, really am.”
He stared at me for a few seconds, before flicking his gaze down to the floor. “I’ve got to tell you, I’m kind of surprised you came here.”
I shifted in my seat and huffed softly. “Why?”
“Because of the way I ended things between us.”
He shouldn’t have been so surprised. I was never one to do what I was told. “None of that matters right now.”
He winced and then his gaze slowly slid up to meet mine again. Heavy emotions burned in his eyes. “Okay, maybe, but I didn’t exactly handle things very well yesterday. You should
hate me right now.”
Couldn’t he see that I’d never hate him? It was impossible.
I swallowed hard, feeling the emotions flood my voice. There would be no crying today. I had to say this. It was the only thing that had a chance of fixing us.
“When I heard you might be in trouble,” I said slowly, pausing to run my tongue over my lips, “I couldn’t think about anything else. I had to come to you. And listen, if you don’t have feelings for me, that’s okay. I’ll learn to live with that. But I won’t let it ruin our friendship. I need you in my life. I’m not just going to let you abandon everything that’s good between us. I won’t.”
I set my jaw and made myself meet his gaze with as much confidence as I could. I’d already been rejected by him once. My heart was still bruised from that experience, but it was telling me to stand my ground here. Hunter needed me. The defeated and tired way he was slumped on his bed told me that. The beginnings of a black eye and the bandage on his head told me that. Every bit of me needed him, too.
Even if that meant we were only friends.
I’d live with that.
I’d figure out how to muffle that part of me.
Somehow.
“Charlotte...” He sucked in his cheeks and his brows came together as if he were concentrating really hard on what he was about to say. I didn’t dare move a muscle and distract him from working through whatever was going on inside of his head. “...I have to confess something. And if I don’t do it now, I’ll hate myself forever.”
I held tight onto his hand. Whatever he had to say, it was going to be okay. I knew that now.
“What is it?” I asked.
Dare You to Resist the Bull Rider (Rock Valley High Book 4) Page 16
