Uncle Jackson’s sitting behind me and leans forward. Talking just loud enough for me to hear, he says, “Shut the fuck up and get on with it.”
“Maize Bishop,” the judge announces. Climbing to my feet, I look down the row at my mom and dad, who stand and wrap me in a hug. The crowd screams my name, and hoots and hollers fill my ears.
“Go, sweetie. Go get your prize,” Dad tells me. I’m in complete shock and speechless, not able to comprehend what the judges are saying. Blood pumps through my body as I walk to the stage. They hand me an oversized check and a trophy, and I’m so overwhelmed with emotion, I instantly burst into tears. I never thought this would happen to me.
“Would you like to say anything?” the older man asks and hands me the microphone.
I take it and swallow. “I’m not good at public speeches so forgive me, but I’d like to thank my grandma for encouraging me to enter and my parents. Also thanks to all my cousins who helped out and made this possible. And Diesel.” I blow them all kisses. “And thanks to the cowboys who insisted I had a chance and believed in me.” I look at Gavin, and our gazes meet.
Jackson lifts his hand to his mouth, and yells, “And what about your favorite uncle?”
Kiera elbows him hard in the ribs.
“And you too, Uncle Jackson,” I say, handing back the microphone. As another judge speaks and entertains the audience, I’m brought to the back to sign some paperwork. They tell me a real check will be in the mail, and I guess I didn’t realize the oversized one was just a novelty item. After I thank them nearly a million times, I return to my family, who are all waiting for me with smiles.
I’m surrounded by Bishops, and all I can do is cry because I’m so damn happy. A few older guys who have been competing in competitions like this all over the state come over and congratulate me.
After the onlookers disperse, I realize how much my cheeks hurt from smiling.
Gavin walks up and wraps his arms around me, nearly swallowing me whole. “Congrats. I knew you’d win.”
“Thank you!” I exclaim as we linger for a few seconds, but he looks around and backs away, creating space between us.
“Congrats, baby,” Grandma tells me, then looks back and forth between Gavin and me with a lifted brow but doesn’t say a word. “Knew you had it in you.”
After I’ve spoken to every single family member, we return to our cooking area and finish packing up the supplies. Once everything is loaded, Gavin walks me to my truck. Before I unlock the door, he looks around, then dips his head and gives me a soft kiss, and I get lost in it.
I pull away breathless, and I meet his eyes, mesmerized by him like he put a spell on me.
“Hopefully, we can do this again sometime,” he suggests.
“Maybe,” I say, liking I can keep him on his toes.
He chuckles and shakes his head. “It’s all about the chase with you, woman.”
“And it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” I climb inside the truck and give him a wave, which he returns. I back out and drive home, feeling the happiest I have in years. I think about the contest, my family, watching the bull riders, and being with Gavin. I’ve had a perfect weekend.
Right now, I don’t know what we are or where this is going, but the chemistry we share is undeniable. The way he makes me feel is incredible. But is he in this for the long term?
Deep down, I want to give him a chance, but I also have to protect myself and my heart.
Chapter Twelve
MAIZE
It’s been a week since the rodeo, and I’m still riding the high of winning the barbecue contest and being with Gavin again. We haven’t talked about it and have just shared side glances and texts with each other. He knows I’m wary, given my past, but I have a feeling I’m about to break my rules for him. If our feelings are mutual, then we need to decide where to go from here.
Our work schedules are hectic, and we haven’t been alone since the rodeo. While I have some free time, I decide to drive to the training center, hoping to get a few minutes alone with him. This isn’t a conversation to have over texts, and it’ll be better to grasp his reaction if we’re face-to-face.
I smile when I see him brushing one of the horses in the stables but quickly come to a halt when I notice Knox and Kane walking toward him. Those boys are the last people I want to run into here. They have loud mouths, and everyone would know I was visiting Gavin before dinner.