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“Or what, Collins? You gonna miss me like you missed that steer?” Travis laughed, his buddies joining in. “Face it, you’re washed up. Finished. It’s only a matter of time before everyone else sees it too.”
I wasn’t a very aggressive guy, but it’d been one thing after another and I was ready to let something give. I turned to Travis, my fists balled up and ready.
Finn raced around the horses and put a hand to my chest, pushing me back. “Calm down, Wyatt.”
Travis and his friends laughed.
“You wanna fight, Collins? I’m ready. After I leave you in the dirt, maybe I’ll take a crack at that little barrel racer of yours and see what all the fuss is about.”
“Dream on, Andersen.” Her voice cut through me.
Of course, she had to show up at that moment. Kinsley walked over with Maisey, Rhett, and Grady.
“I’m not looking for a date, and if I were, I wouldn’t be looking in your direction.” She stood beside me, and her hand slid around my forearm. Her touch was both calming and igniting at the same time. She slipped her hand into mine.
Travis’s gaze dipped to where our hands held. “Unbelievable.” Travis shook his head. “You’re going to regret hitching your cart to that loser one day, Kinsley.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” She squeezed my hand. Her skin was hot on mine, like it was about to catch fire, but I hung on and fixed Travis with a cool stare.
Travis and his friends left.
I ripped my hand from Kinsley’s. I fought the urge to look down, sure I would see it scalded. “I didn’t ask for your help, Kinsley.”
“Of course not,” she said dryly. “You would never ask for help. And God forbid somebody tries.”
I clenched my jaw, the muscles tightening in my neck. “I don’t need it.” I took a step back.
Kinsley matched my movement and closed the distance between us again. “You do! You need help! Your horse does!” She gestured at Drifter.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Can’t you feel him hesitate, coming out of the box? He can’t get himself moving quickly enough anymore. That’s why you missed today.”
I shook my head. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, really? Ask your friends. Go ahead.” She stepped back and held up her hands, gesturing to the surrounding group.
I glanced around at the guys, but they were all facing the ground, not saying a word.
“C’mon, guys, tell her she’s wrong. Drifter is fine. It was an off day.”
“I’m sorry, man.” Finn stepped towards me.
I held up a hand, stopping him.
“I wanted to—”
“Don’t.” I looked over at Drifter. Kinsley was at his head, rubbing her hand over his face, and he was trying to get in her pocket where he knew she always kept some horse treats. Traitor horse.
I studied him. He was in good shape, had good weight, and was well-muscled. Had I hurt him? Was I hurting him? I replayed our rides in my head, searching for clues.
“He’s getting older, Wyatt,” Kinsley said quietly. “It’s some old-timer stiffness. You have done nothing wrong.” She knew me too well. Her gaze was on me, tears glistening in her eyes.
We stayed like that for a few long moments, Drifter grazing beside us. We didn’t even notice that everyone else had walked away.
I didn’t know what to say, so we stood there awkwardly, watching Drifter nibble at the grass. The sun beat down on the back of my neck, beads of sweat trickling beneath the collar of my shirt.
I could feel Kinsley’s eyes on me, studying my face and searching for a reaction. My throat tightened; a lump that made it hard to swallow forming. I clenched my jaw, the muscles twitching beneath my skin as I fought to keep my emotions in check.
