The buzzer sounds, sweet as a lover's whisper in my ear. I release my grip and push off, landing on my feet and immediately sprinting for the fence. Behind me, the bullfighters move in to distract Widowmaker.
The crowd's roar crashes over me as I clear the fence, adrenaline still surging through my veins. cheers echoing off the metal bleachers, every nerve in my body still crackling with adrenaline.
My legs are shaky, my hands a little numb, but my grin stretches wide as I slap my buddy Theo's hand in celebration. The ride felt good. Clean. Controlled. Damn near perfect.
I tip my hat to the audience, flashing my competition smile, but my eyes seek only one person.
And then I see her.
Mia, standing just behind the fence line with her camera slung around her neck, eyes locked on me like I just did something heroic, her expression a mixture of awe and concern. I don't stop to think.
I push through the gate and straight toward her, ignoring the congratulatory slaps on my back from other riders.
She's still in those worn jeans shorts and my flannel shirt, sleeves rolled up and hair tied high, but there's something about the way she's watching me now—like she forgot to breathe while I rode—that snaps the last thread of restraint inside me.
“That was...” she starts, then shakes her head. “I don't even have words.”
“Good, right?” I grin, still riding the high of a successful ride.
“Terrifying,” she corrects, but there's admiration in her eyes. “But also... I get it now. I see what you mean about the focus, the freedom.”
Before I can respond, Mason appears beside us, his ride completed successfully as well.
“Not bad, Taylor,” he says, eyeing my shoulder. “Though you'll be feeling that spin tomorrow.”
“Worth it,” I reply, wincing as I rotate my arm. “What'd I score?”
“Eighty-seven,” Mason tells me. “Good enough for second place so far.”
“Second?” I feign outrage. “To who?”
“Me,” Mason smirks. “Eighty-nine.”
Mia laughs, the sound pure and delighted. “So he is better than you.”
“One time out of ten,” I grumble good-naturedly.
Mason studies Mia again, this quiet assessment different from earlier—more approving. He catches my eye and gives a subtle nod before turning away. “Going to check the standings. Don't disappear.”
As he walks away, Mia looks at me quizzically. “What was that about?”
“What?”
That look between you two. That nod.”
I shrug, suddenly feeling exposed. “Mason doesn't warm up to people easily. Especially people I...” I trail off, unsure how to finish.
“People you what?” she presses, stepping closer.
“People I care about,” I admit, the words feeling inadequate for the storm of emotions she stirs in me.
Her expression softens, something vulnerable flickering in her eyes before she masks it. “That's his seal of approval, then?”
“Something like that.” I take her hand, threading our fingers together. “Come on. I want to show you something.”
Chapter 30
Mia
