“You’re staring.”
“I’m appreciating.” She hums.
Hunter glances down at us suspiciously. “What are you two whispering about?”
“Nothing,” we both say quickly.
His eyes narrow.
But before he can question it further, a loudspeaker crackles overhead, and the announcer’s voice booms across the arena.
The crowd erupts.
“Looks like Ace is up,” Hunter mutters.
My attention snaps back toward Ace as he climbs onto the bull, settling into position while the handlers secure the rope. The bull beneath him is enormous. Like, way bigger than I assumed they’d be. Not that I’ve been face-to-face with one before in my life.
My stomach drops. Hunter told me that Ace recently took a few months off, and this is his first ride back. And now I’m nervous for him. “He’s actually going to ride that?”
“Yep, been doing crazy shit like this most of his life,” Hunter says calmly.
I glance behind him and spot Colten as he approaches Hunter and stands beside him. It’s odd that Beau doesn’t seem to get involved in the family stuff much. He’s not here today; he’d rather stay with Wyatt on the Ranch. And when he isaround, he’s always just there. Not really doing much. I’m starting to wonder if it’s me he dislikes being around.
Colten and Hunter are both watching Ace with identical expressions. Pride. But also something else. Something I’d stab a guess at is fear.
Hunter’s jaw is tight, his arms folded across his chest as his gaze stays locked on the chute gate.
Colten looks just as rigid beside him.
“Why does he do this?” I murmur.
Violet answers before Hunter can. “Because it’s hot.”
I stare at her. “You think attempted death is hot?”
“Yes.”
I’m not sure my heart could cope with watching Hunter do something like this.
The announcer’s voice rises again. “LET’S HEAR IT FOR ACE STERLING!”
The gate bursts open, and the bull explodes into motion. I gasp and feel sick all at the same time. The thing launches into the air, twisting violently as Ace holds on with one hand, the other arm stretched out for balance.
The entire arena roars.
Dust flies everywhere as the bull bucks again, spinning hard enough to make my stomach flip just watching it. Ace moves with it like he’s part of the animal. It’s completely insane to watch.
My nails dig into Hunter’s arm without me realizing. “Oh my god,” I gasp.
Hunter doesn’t move.
Every muscle in his body is locked tight as he watches his brother ride a creature that clearly wants him dead.
The bull twists again with another violent buck, and Ace still hangs on.
The buzzer sounds. Eight seconds. The longest eight seconds of my life so far. What the hell was that?
The bullfighters rush in, and Ace finally drops off the animal, landing on the dirt before jogging away as the bull charges past.