“I’m fine. I sold my company, and now I’m an employee—well, a consultant—instead of an owner. I make my own hours; I work where I want. I get to pick pet projects. It’s great.” He shrugged. “But life? Life is kind of on hold for the moment.” He tilted his head toward Jack. “Or maybe for the last few years.”
“Yeah. I think—well, I just… he doesn’t smile like he used to, huh?” Okay, what was she trying to say?
“What you mean?” Jack had smiled a lot since he showed up. When Jack wasn’t giving him smoldering hot looks or making fucking gorgeous grimaces of pleasure. He was… totally Jack.
“I just remember that he used to light up, all the time. Now, he’s relaxed when he’s riding, and he laughs, but it’s not as easy.”
He frowned and found Jack in the ring, hanging back waiting for the next ride. Did he look less… easy? “You think he’s okay?”
She shrugged for him. “I think so? I mean, I can ask Scott, if you want.”
“Yeah? Yeah. I guess, if you could. If you don’t catch me, just text me.” Should he worry? Should he ask Jack himself? He wasn’t sure Jack would tell him the truth anyway.
“Totally.” She squeezed his hand, just a casual pressure of the fingers. “You going to make a play for him?”
He looked at her. He might as well be honest, even if it felt like he was telling a secret. “If I can figure out what play to make.”
“Good for you, man. I’m rooting for you.” She glanced up, then stood. “Scott’s getting ready to ride. Time to cheer my baby on!”
He would cheer, but he stayed sitting. She was the one Scott wanted to see, not him. He watched the chute and could see Scott’s helmet and an antsy bull.
“You don’t let that bastard crouch, now. I don’t want you going down in the chute!” For a little blonde mom of five, she had the mouth of a trucker.
“He loves the feisty ones. He’s not going down anywhere.” Scott was cool as a cucumber on an animal’s back. “Hang tight, cowboy!” he shouted too, more for her sake than Scott’s.
“You listen to Hudson! Hang tight and buy momma a new pair of shoes!” She glanced down at him. “Am I embarrassing you?”
“Hell, no.” He stood then and clapped his hands. “Forget the shoes, momma needs a cruise and a nanny!”
“I’m totally bringing you with me on spa day, lovely.” She winked at him, and then her attention snapped back to the chute as the gate opened.
The bull went spinning out, right into Scott’s riding arm.
“Come on, baby! Ride! Ride!”
It was almost like this bull was born to make Scott look good. A couple of spins that way, a good buck and then a couple the other direction, and all the while that free arm was up, and Scott’s butt might as well have been glued to the animal’s back. “Making it look easy!”
“Look at him spur! There you go, baby! Ride! Ride!”
Scott hit that eight seconds like he was taking a walk in the park. He had a moment of trouble getting his hand free but not enough to make them nervous, and then he hit the dirt, stumbling at first and then booking it for the fence.
Mackey jogged over, handing him his bullrope, but most of Hudson’s focus was on Jack. The rope swung, that cowboy butt fit in the saddle like he was born to it, and then Jack threw the loop, catching the bull by the horns and leading him around the arena and back to the chutes.
He did love to watch Jack ride.
Ellie went nuts along with everyone else when Scott’s score went up and he was distracted from Jack, clapping and whooping along with her. “What a ride!”
“I’m so getting laid tonight.” Her wink was pure-D wicked, but he got it.
Especially since Jack searched for him, those laser-focused eyes scanning the crowd until they found him.
That felt good. Jack was usually in the zone and didn’t seem to know or care who was watching. Hudson smiled and clapped in Jack’s direction to make sure Jack knew it was for him. “Me too.”
“We’re lucky bastards.” She popped him in the upper arm. “He’s at the top of the leaderboard and there are only four rides to go.”
“Momma’s cruising to the Bahamas!” He hugged her shoulders. “He’s really at the top of his game right now, huh?” At least two of those four riders were serious contenders, but Scott’s ride had been spectacular. Anything could happen.
“Yeah. Now if he just sticks and stays healthy? We might end up in the money.”