Page 121 of Lost Trust

I can feel him there.

But before I can let myself think too much about it, the announcer’s voice rises over the speakers. “And here comes our first rider.”

My attention snaps to the screen.

Then I stiffen.

Blaze’s picture fills the monitor. His name and stats flash across the bottom.

The camera cuts to the chute, where he’s already settling onto the back of a massive bull.

Beside me, Jovie’s fingers tighten around mine.

I look down. I didn’t even realize I was still clutching her hand.

She follows my gaze and gives a little shrug.

I almost laugh.

“I don’t get nervous watching Blaze anymore,” I whisper.

And I don’t.

If he wasn’t Ryder’s father, I probably wouldn’t care if a bull stomped him straight through the arena floor.

The chute opens.

Blaze holds on for eight seconds, the buzzer sounds, and a decent score flashes across the screen.

Behind me, Royce lets out a quiet snort.

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from doing the same.

The next rider gets tossed at five seconds.

Then, “Next up, your PBR World Champion, Axle Trust!”

The bar seems to hold its breath.

Axle is riding Widow-Maker. One of the meanest bulls on the circuit.

The camera cuts to him in the chute, and even from the screen, I can see the beast underneath him coiling with barely contained fury.

Axle drops onto its back. The gate bursts open, and the bull explodes into the arena.

The entire bar erupts.

Widow-Maker twists violently, launching his massive body sideways before dropping his front end and kicking his hind legs toward the rafters.

Axle whips right along with him.

My heart climbs into my throat, along with every other patron’s in The Soused Cow tonight.

The buzzer finally screams.

Axle releases his grip, hits the dirt, and immediately rolls away as the bullfighters rush in.

The bar goes absolutely wild. People are shouting, clapping, pounding tables.