Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders #1)(32)

“I know. So, what happened in Limon?”


Colby told her the nitty-gritty details about the events he’d lost and placed in, how those wins and losses affected his overall standings. He touched on Trevor and Edgar’s professional troubles—but he didn’t mention Channing at all.


After he’d hung up he wondered why. Because this thing with Channing was new? Because it wasn’t permanent? Or because he was a chickenshit because it was special and he didn’t want to jinx it?


His mother knew him better than anyone. She was pretty much in the dark about his on-the-road, wild exploits and former sexual hi-jinks, but she’d always seemed to read between the lines. She had a better understanding that “boys will be boys” than his more traditional father did. The fact that he’d hooked up with a woman would be big news to his family. And at this point he didn’t want his mama zeroing in on what was happening between him and Channing.


Don’t you mean, between you and Channing, and Trevor and Channing, and Edgard and Channing?


He told that smarmy little voice to shut up.


Sure, he was sharing her with them, but when it came right down to it Channing preferred him. He knew it. She’d admitted it and neither Trevor nor Edgard would be surprised by it. But the bottom line didn’t change. They’ d part ways at Cheyenne.


Colby didn’t have time to dwell on future events. He had a competition to prepare for. Tonight, the reward would be sweet indeed.


He packed his gear bag, grabbed his saddle and hitched a ride with Cash to the rodeo grounds.


Trevor paced in front of the motel room, seething. How dare that know-it-all * continue to insist the problems dogging them in the arena were somehow his fault? So maybe he was a little tense, but who wouldn’t be after a losing streak that now reached into double digits? The fact Edgard continually pointed it out and suggested maybe it was time for them to consider other options, flat out pissed him off.


Trevor didn’t have any other options. Like Colby, this was his last shot at making the National Finals Rodeo. Trevor’s father, the infamous Tater Glanzer, was sorely disappointed in his son’s lack of a NFR title, despite the fact Trevor had won five circuit titles. And good old dad had been insistent that this be Trevor’s last year—mostly because Trevor’s younger brother, Tanner, had a much better shot at bringing home that all-important national tie-down roping title.


Then Trevor would be stuck working with the old man all the time.


The thought of continually hearing his father berate him, the expectation that Trevor would permanently give up the rodeo lifestyle and his freedom made Trevor sick to his stomach. His family had never paid much attention to him besides to instill the obsession with rodeo within another member of the Glanzer clan. They sure didn’t understand him.


There were things about him that would cause a rift between them that could never be repaired if they found out.


So even if he and Edgard were losing ground in the individual standings, he’d rather stay on the circuit, rather than head home and deal with the questions and comments from his family on his future plans.


Edgard didn’t understand his dilemma. Neither did Colby. They both had utter acceptance from their families. Once again, he felt completely alone. Scared that somehow the choices he’d made would come back to bite him on the ass.


The door to the room opened and Edgard glared at him from inside the doorway. “You ready to walk over to the arena?”


I don’t need you to hold my goddamn hand. Trevor smiled tightly.


“You go ahead. I’ve got to get something out of the horse trailer first.”


Without waiting for Edgard to protest, he stalked off across the motel parking lot.



As Trevor barged in the horse trailer it never occurred to him to knock.


Channing sat buck-ass naked at the little dinette table.


She gasped. It was cute how she tried to tug the sheet from the bed around her nakedness. “Trevor! What are you doing here?”


“This is my horse trailer. Maybe I oughta ask you what you’re doin’


eatin’ breakfast naked as a jaybird?”


“I-I just woke up.”


“Ah. So Colby already took off to check in?”


“Umm. Yeah.”


He waggled his eyebrows. “I’ve got you all to myself?”


“It would appear so.”


“Hot damn. I knew there was a reason I came here.” His gaze made a slow sweep from her pink toenails to her tangled mane, sticking out of her head at all angles. Finally his eyes zeroed in on the short dark curls peeking between her thighs. “And now I know exactly what I want for breakfast.


“But—”


“No buts. Since Colby ain’t here, I’m callin’ the shots.”


“Okay. But I do want to be honest and let you know I’m a little sore from yesterday. I—I’m not used to that. Any of it.”


“Then I best kiss it and make it all better, huh?”


Channing swallowed hard.


“Do I make you nervous?”


“Only if I see a rope in your hand.”