Page 5 of Wild Rivals

I trail behind my brothers, watching as they talk animatedly. Whatever it is they’re talking about isn’t anything I need or want to know; that much I know for sure. The corner of my mouth kicks up as a memory hits me. I learned the hard way a long time ago that I don’t have to be included in everything when I tried to get them to do just that and they made a point to talk about the best way to wash their foreskin. It’s safe to say I never asked again, and for a good year or two, they teased me relentlessly for my reaction.

A noise draws my attention away from my brothers, and when I look in the direction it came from, my eyes lock onto a familiar face. Wyatt. He’s scowling at the back of Deacon’s head, his hands fisted by his side, before he drags his attention away from him and it lands on me.

The intensity in his stare makes the breath lodge in my throat, and a swirl of something I refuse to acknowledge flashes through my gut before I catch myself and match him scowl for scowl.

Wyatt is insufferable, selfish, and an arrogant ass. He always has been and I’m certain he always will be. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s going to ruin my night. Like he always does whenever Deacon and he are in the same vicinity. It’s been this way for years. If it were just me, Rhett and Sawyer, I’d ignore Wyatt, have my fun and allow him to stew with his feelings, but with Deacon, it’s a whole other story.

Now that I know Wyatt’s here, I’m going to have to be on high alert instead of enjoying myself and letting down my hair tonight.

Damn you, Wyatt Wilde.

My voice is hoarse from cheering on the riders as the night has gone on. We’ve been here for a few hours now, and thankfully, I haven’t seen Wyatt since the parking lot. I don’t even think Deacon knows Wyatt’s here. Even if he does, it’s sure been a lot easier to have fun given Deacon hasn’t left his seat all night.

No sooner has the thought entered my mind than I spot Wyatt and his family out of the corner of my eye. I bite back my groan of frustration. How does he do that? Appear out of nowhere when it’s the last thing I want, as if my thoughts have conjured him up.

Tension skates down my spine as I covertly watch them. One after another, they walk through the gate that separates the public from the riders. Given Kade—Wyatt’s younger brother—has ridden tonight, and they sponsor the shows, it shouldn’t surprise me that they were in the restricted part of the arena watching Kade ride.

I cast a glance at Deacon from his seat in the bleachers beside me, my eyes blowing wide when he stands.

“You want another beer?” Deacon asks.

I look down at my empty bottle before returning my focus to him, trying to decide my next move. Either I send him off by himself or I tell him I’ll get it and then have to explain that I’m trying to contain the situation, which I know he hates. Maybe I can just watch Wyatt and if it looks like anything’s going to happen, I can jump in. Deacon doesn’t need me to follow him around like a bodyguard.

Deciding that’s my only real choice, I offer Deacon a soft smile and say, “Yes, please.” Fluttering my lashes, I add, “And if you pass it, I’d love a funnel cake.”

He shakes his head but doesn’t tell me no before walking off. I watch him until he disappears out of sight, and then my attention drifts toward Wyatt and his family as they settle into their seats further down in the bleachers.

My heart races as I scan the space the Wildes are now occupying.

No.

No, no, no, no.

Where’s he gone?

Shit.

Standing, I dust off my jeans and push up onto my tiptoes as if that will give me a better advantage. I can’t see any better than when I was seated, which means there’s only one thing for me to do. I’ve got to find Deacon or Wyatt before they find each other.

“Where are you rushing off to?” Sawyer asks, moving his feet out of my way as I step past him on my way to the end of the aisle.

I don’t bother answering him; my attention is on the crowd, searching for Deacon and the guy he can’t help but take the bait with. It’s always the same old shit with them, and it’s not like I can send Rhett or Sawyer after them. Not when all they ever do is egg Deacon on. God, I’m tired of being the only adult out of my siblings and the only one capable of not letting Wyatt get under my skin.

At least not in the same way as he does with my brothers.

Lately I’ve been feeling… stirrings whenever I have to deal with him. The kind of ones that if it was anybody but him, I’d consider acting on, but instead, I ignore them. Truthfully, I haven’t been touched by a man in years, so the fact that I feel anything around Wyatt is purely down to the lack of sex in my life. It has nothing to do with him. It can’t.

Wyatt is the first one I find, moving through the arena with practiced ease as he heads for the bathrooms. Okay, now where is Deacon?

I spot him at the same time Wyatt must, because he changes course, heading in Deacon’s direction, a snarl on his face and his hands forming fists by his sides.

Fuck.

I push my way through the crowd, watching the entire time as they exchange heated words. It’s easy to keep sight of them, given their towering heights.

Wyatt pushes Deacon, and he drops the beers and paper plate in his hands. Not the funnel cake. I was really looking forward to that. The thought vanishes as reality catches up with me.

I’m within earshot now; their anger and frustration is palpable, but nothing new.