Page 86 of Untamed
Judges are allowed to award a bull rider a re-ride—a second opportunity to compete on a different bull—if they feel his first bull did not perform at the level of other bulls in the competition and, therefore, did not give him a fair chance to earn a high score. The re-ride bulls are selected prior to the event and kept with the other bulls that are in the draw should the need for a re-ride arise.
The next morning, I wake up in bed with Grayer and though I want to have sex with him, he’s running late and we’re also in a hotel room with Ty and Haylee. Lucky enough, Grayer upgraded the room to a suite so there are at least separate bedrooms.
I give Grayer a pouty face I thought for sure would work, but he sighs. “Remember when I said bull riders were always running late?” He’s throwing clothes on and then his boots and reaching for his hat.
I nod, sitting up in bed, completely naked and pushing the sheets away so he has a good view of everything he’s leaving behind. His eyes travel over my body and he groans. “I wasn’t lying. I’m late. Again.”
I look at the clock to see it’s nearing noon. “I thought it didn’t start until tonight?”
“It doesn’t. But I have an appearance to make and then I have to go to the arena.”
“Oh.” I’m kind of disappointed he won’t be staying in bed with me but then again, I knew this, coming here, that it would be this way. He has obligations.
He seems sad. “I’m sorry. I’ll see you tonight though? There’ll be a car waiting for you around five to take you to the arena. Feel free to call up room service or whatever you want. It’s on me.” I nod again as he kisses my forehead, my cheek, my lips, neck, and then pulls away when he starts to climb on the bed, wanting more. “Fuck . . . you’re too hot.” Stopping himself, he pushes away and turns and walks away. Down the hall, he beats on the door to Ty’s room. “Get up, dude. We’re late.”
Moments later, Ty’s stumbling out of the room half-dressed, following his brother.
I’m sad when he’s gone and think about what I’m doing here. The thought reminds me that I need to call my mom because I totally forgot last night to let her know we made it to Biloxi safely.
“Hi, baby!” she answers on the first ring, knowing it’s me.
“Hey, Mama. Sorry, I didn’t call last night.”
“That’s all right.” She breathes a sigh of relief. I know she won’t say it, but she was worried about me. “How was it?”
I sigh. “Amazing. How’s Dad and Morgy Moo?”
Mom laughs lightly, the sound almost musical. “He’ll get over it. He threw himself into showing that Kaden boy around the farm. And Little Miss Morgan is excited to get some postcards from you, so make sure you send her some.”
“I will. I’ll pick some up today and mail them.” I chew on my nails. “Is Dad mad?”
“No.” She’s lying and I know it. “How was the rodeo?”
“It was amazing! They have another round tonight and then the short go. Grayer got a ninety-five last night.”
“That’s good, right?” And then she laughs. “What’s a short go?”
I laugh. “Yeah, he’s leading so we’ll see how he does tonight. The short go is a round that only the top fifteen riders from the preliminary rounds compete in.”
Mom sighs and it’s a loving sound like she’s happy for me. “Are you happy, Maesyn?”
I think about it, wondering if this was what I wanted, the freedom I’d been dying for. “Yes. I am.” And then I think about Wyatt, and everything that happened when we got here.
“He . . . has a son.”
Mom’s silent, then she gasps. “Grayer does? I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah.” I let out a laugh. “Me either. Surprised the heck out of me too.”
“How old is he? Grayer’s pretty young himself.”
“He’s two I guess. The mom, Britany . . . I guess her and Grayer used to be friends. I don’t know a whole lot about it.”
“How do you feel about that?”
I sigh. “I still don’t know. I didn’t have much interaction with the kid, just saw him in passing, but I don’t know. I guess I’ll just see what happens.”
Mom and I talk for a few more minutes before she needs to go pick up Morgan from the sleepover she had at our cousin’s house last night.
