Tackling Summer (18 page)

Jessi caught him gaping as she passed by with her gaggle of friends and smacked him on the back. “Just wait ‘til the bulls come out.”

Maddox had seen the giant cows on the ranch, and his eyes bugged. “People ride those things?”

“Oh yeah,” she said through a laugh as she continued up the grandstand steps. The girl had matured a lot over the last couple months. She’d stopped fawning over him and trying to show him off to her teenage buddies. Now she felt more like a little sister.

 
“Hey, Maddox!”
 

Maddox snapped out of his musing to see Brad and Ryan Wilkins, along with their parents, heading his way. They were good kids, and he was glad for some more company.

“Hey, guys,” Maddox greeted them as they got settled. He shook hands with the boys and their father, Craig.

“How’re you likin’ the show so far?” Craig asked.

“It’s nuts. I can’t believe people think football is rough. It’s nothing compared to this. We’re fully padded!” If only Chanel could hear the words coming out of his mouth. “Are you guys doing anything tonight?”

The boys grinned, and Ryan said, “Bull riding.”

“But we have to wear helmets,” Brad said glowering at his mother, “even though we’re eighteen now.”

“Lame,” his brother added.

Bea shook her head at her sons. “Be grateful I even let you go out there on those things. I like your brains unscrambled.”
 

Maddox laughed. “I don’t know, guys, I think a helmet is more necessary on a bull than on the football field.” God, he sounded old. Chanel must be rubbing off on him. When he glanced toward the arena, a blonde in red jeans and a sparkly white top winked him as she walked by. He remembered her from the Grand Entry.
 

“That’s Brittany Ericson. She’s a junior at our school,” Brad said, “and a big flirt.”

Maddox made sure not to encourage her by avoiding eye contact. He had to wonder if that’s how Lila had been in high school.
 

 
“Maddox!”

As if she’d sensed him thinking about her, Lila waved from the bottom of the grandstand. She wore skintight black jeans and a spaghetti strap tank top, generous cleavage bulging. Still not used to this tiny community, he was surprised to see her. After giving her a little wave, he shifted his attention back to the arena, hoping his expression was one of deep concentration on the exchange between the rodeo clown and the announcer. The clown had burst into the ring with several small dogs and an assortment of props halting the flow of events.

Next thing Maddox knew, Lila was taking a seat next to him, pressing her thigh against his. “Hey, you!”
 

Maddox resisted the urge to pull away to spare her feelings in front of so many people. Her sexy tone threw him. Most girls would’ve been pissed at him for not calling in the six weeks since they’d slept together—at least to start with. He could usually talk his way out of it and be back in their good graces pretty quick. Sadly, he kinda wished Lila were mad.
 

“Mitch must be keeping you busy out there,” Lila said, capturing his hand. He stared at their joined fingers for a moment, barely recognizing his own. They were rough, cracked in places.

“Yeah,” he replied, noticing the twins both had their ears cocked toward the conversation happening behind them. No doubt Lila’s reputation was all over the high school, and anything that had to do with sex would grab the boys’ attention.
 

“So, you staying in town tonight?” Lila asked.

Maddox shifted uncomfortably wishing she’d lower her voice. Never in his life had he not been able to banter with a pretty girl, but this evening he had nothing. He could only think how strange Lila’s hand felt in his compared to Chanel’s.

“Depends on my ride. I came in with the Ebers.”

Lila bit her lip and leaned close. “You’ve got a place to stay. I’ll get you home tomorrow.”

Maddox glanced over at Christine, relieved to find her chatting with Bea Wilkins. He couldn’t tell if Craig was listening in or focused on the action in the arena. Both boys, however, were sitting a little straighter.

Out of nowhere, Jessi bounded over and squeezed her way onto the bench beside Brad, making the entire Wilkins family shift to accommodate her. She caused enough of a distraction for Lila to look away and loosen her grip on Maddox’s hand. He slipped free and leaned forward, folding his hands between his legs.

The pickup men herded the final bronc of the section from the arena, and the first round of team roping was announced. Maddox had learned a lot over the weeks helping Chanel and Seth practice. He felt he had a pretty good idea what a good run looked like and was even a bit surprised by the excitement prickling through him. Lila continued to lean on him, but he kept his eyes straight ahead and ignored her attempts at conversation. Finally, she said she was going to find some food and would be back. Maddox nodded in response hoping she’d find someone else to hang on for the remainder of the rodeo. A small pang of guilt stabbed him in the gut. Maybe she was looking for a chance at something real, something more than easy sex. Finding a guy that didn’t know her backstory or was willing to overlook it in Clifford’s Bend was going to be hard. No wonder he looked good to her. Sadly, he didn’t feel anything for her. As much as he hated to admit it, there was only one woman in this place that had his attention.

Seth and Chanel were the fourth pair, and the announcer gave them a warm welcome. They were met with heavy applause, but Maddox noted some whispering and a few negative shouts.

“Rodeo ain’t for queers!” A middle-aged man with a giant belt buckle cutting into his fat stomach shouted. A ripple of laughter went through the people sitting with him.
 

Maddox gritted his teeth and hoped Seth and Chanel hadn’t heard. This was the hick behavior he’d expected when he first arrived in Clifford’s Bend. Aside from David, his experience with the crew at the Double O had proven him wrong. Brad put an arm around Jessi’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. Good for him, Maddox thought.

He turned his attention back to the arena. The pair had settled their horses in the boxes flanking the small chute. Maddox watched them exchange a few words and a long glance, exactly like they did it at home. Their preparation had reminded him of practices with his team, though he had to admit, he’d always blown off most of that. He just wanted to get on the field, start hitting guys, and get his chance to take the ball to the end zone. All the discussing, studying plays, and practicing drills drove him nuts. He just wanted to play the game. He’d been surprised to find Chanel and Seth, together and separately, on multiple occasions standing on the ground throwing a rope at a steer shaped dummy, complete with horns. Where was the fun in that? He’d made the mistake of teasing Chanel about it, and she’d gotten all pissed and started lecturing him yet again about the importance of hard work. Sick of her droning, he’d turned around and started walking the other way. The next thing he knew, a loop dropped over his head and cinched tight around his arms and torso. The rope burned against his bare skin but not as hot as his temper.
 

Maddox whirled around, could feel anger heating his face, but he stopped short when he saw she was doubled over laughing. Her hands flapped uselessly as she tried to wipe the tears. God, he’d wanted to stay mad at her, but that laugh undid him. If he hadn’t been tied up, he would have marched right up to her and planted a kiss on that happy mouth. She was always serious, cranky, or sarcastic with him, so seeing her let loose sent a wave of longing clear through him.
 

The crack of the chute opening brought him back to the present. A white spotted steer charged down the center of the arena while the cousins blasted out of their boxes. Chanel had her loop around the horns in no time, but Seth’s fell short of its heels.

“No time for Seth and Chanel Eber, no time.” The announcer said. “Better luck next year.”

Maddox heard Christine groan beside him, and he gave her a sympathetic look.

“I hope there is a next year,” she murmured.

“What do you mean?” Maddox asked.

Bea reached back and patted Christine’s leg just as the fat man shouted, “That girl ropes better than you, fancy boy!”

Maddox’s body clenched. He was dying to charge up those grandstand steps two at a time and bust that guy’s jaw. He knew he could knock his fat ass right off his seat. Brad stood, Jessi clinging to his hand, and started down the steps. Ryan and Craig followed them while Bea cast a worried look their direction.

Christine’s chocolate eyes met and held Maddox’s. “Fighting won’t help.”

Maddox flushed when she read his thoughts.
 

“I’ve raised two boys and lived surrounded by men almost my entire life. You all think the same.” She gave him a smile and smacked him on the thigh.

“He’s gotta know you’re Seth’s mom, and you’re sitting right here.”

“Del MacIntosh knows exactly who I am,” Christine said without glancing toward the man and his cronies. “It’s a small town. You learn who’s worth your time, and who isn’t. No matter what, you keep your head held high. Those asshats will get what’s coming to them at some point.”

Maddox laughed. He liked Christine. In fact, it would be nice if he could talk to his mom like he could talk to her. It was sad that David didn’t appreciate her more. He wished he knew what to say to comfort her right now but was coming up empty. So, he settled for reaching over and giving her a one-arm hug.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Stars shimmered in a clear sky while the rodeo stock munched hay in the corrals behind the arena. Horses were watered, fed, and tied to the outside of horse trailers. Their riders cleaned up in campers or the fairground bathrooms and headed to the exhibition building where a live country band was busting out some tunes. Young families were starting to filter out of the hall, a few overtired toddlers melting down. A rowdy crowd hung outside in the beer garden working on their courage to hit the floor.

Chanel took a long drink of her ice-cold beer and sagged back against the metal siding of the building. She’d taken first in the breakaway competition and would be roping in the finals the next afternoon. More than anything she wanted to trailer Vivi back home and crawl in her bed. It had been a long day in the sun, and though it had been fun, being in town wore her out. Things had been more stressful this year with Seth on site. He’d blown off the insults and barbs tossed his way throughout the day, but they’d built up on Chanel’s shoulders. Seth had insisted on staying for the dance and showing Maddox how colorful small town nightlife could be, despite her insisting that he’d already lived it to the fullest. She had a bad feeling about tonight.

The boys sidled up to her, flanking her on both sides.
 

“There you are,” Seth said. He’d changed into a clean teal button up shirt and dusted off the jeans he’d been wearing all day. Maddox was still wearing his baggy pants and Doumit t-shirt. He loomed a head taller and several hands wider than most of the men in the beer garden. A couple of people recognized him from watching college football on TV. She’d been impressed with his graciousness, visiting with fans and moving on to rejoin her family. Nothing like the cockiness he exhibited on campus. It’s an act, she told herself, refusing to acknowledge how much he’d changed over the almost three months he’d been on the ranch. He wanted a good report for his coach, so he could return to the team and pick up where he left off. None of this meant anything to him.

Chanel had released her hair from her French braid so it fell past her shoulders in soft waves. She wore a pale pink tank top and clean jeans with bling on the rear pockets. She ran a hand through her hair, “You think it’s too late to catch Jerry for a ride home?”

Jerry had gotten the crap kicked out of him trying to slide under a cranky cow and squeeze some milk into a bottle. He’d offered to haul the horses back to the ranch, so he could call it an early night and the rest of the crew could enjoy themselves at the dance.

“Knock it off. We’re out tonight. It’s going to be fun,” Seth said rolling his eyes. “We showed off our mad roping skills today. Tonight we wow everyone with our dance moves.” Seth popped off a quick disco routine, ending with a spin and jazz hands.

Chanel smiled at her cousin in the dim light from the white Christmas lights strung around the perimeter of the beer garden. “I haven’t danced in a couple years. Bert dragged me to a club on campus after I broke up with Jared. That night’s a little spotty in my mind. I think there was a pole involved.”

Maddox snorted. “You went to Mulligan’s?”

“How do you know it was Mulligan’s?”

“That’s where the pole is.”

“Yeah, well, so what?” Chanel snapped shooting a crabby look at Maddox.

“Relax. You just don’t seem the type,” Maddox said taking a swig from his red solo cup.

Chanel pushed off from the wall. “What exactly is the Mulligan’s type? Loose? Greek? Expensive dye jobs?”

Seth stepped between them. “C’mon guys. We’re out for fun. Maddox, don’t push her buttons. Chanel, relax a little. Let’s get a refill and go inside.”

Lila chose that moment to appear. She looped her arm through Maddox’s and met Chanel’s gaze. They’d never had a problem before, but the other woman was clearly staking her territory.
 

“Hey, you,” Lila said turning doe eyes on Maddox, making Chanel want to gag. But then she caught something in his expression as he looked down at Lila, whose head barely made it to his chest. She’d expected to see playfulness, desire, something to indicate his interest in the other woman, but there was nothing. In fact, he almost looked sad.

 
“I want to dance with you again,” Lila said in a husky voice, running a finger down Maddox’s broad chest.

Maddox extracted his arm from hers. “Maybe in a bit. We’re getting another round.”

Lila pouted for a beat and then said, “Don’t take too long, lover.” Before she turned to go inside, she cocked an eyebrow at Chanel, who just turned her back in response.