Page 87 of Storm Warning
Duke whistles loud before screaming, “All the way to hell and back, Buddy. Go get ‘em, Rogers.” His voice is strong and sure, he seems unfazed by this selection, and I hope that his brother is feeling the same.
My eyes follow Rhett’s every move, looking for any kind of insight into his emotions. But as usual, he’s all cool, confident, with a bright smile on his face. The one I know so well and continue to fall head over heels for. He stops at the sound table, taking a moment to laugh with the guy in charge. There’s not a trace of nervousness. You’d never think that Helfire and him have history. He looks calm, relaxed even. Knowing him, he’d call this a lucky pull, but to me this is extra nerve-wracking.
Music begins to play and laughter fills the room as Bon Jovi’sThe Boys Are Back In Townhums through the speakers.
Our entire posse finds the satire in his song choice, and for a second I’m less worried as I watch the man that has my whole heart do a little jig towards the chute.
“Very Rhett,” Sawyer chuckles.
And he’s right. Rhett would have it no other way than making light of something everyone else fears.
A crowd of women, undoubtedly, find themself hooting and hollering as Rhett strides past them. Months of knowing him sets my mind at ease. A worry I thought would be permanent from now until the end of time is now just a reminder that the right man won’t make you feel insecure, but rather the opposite.
He keeps his eyes forward, lost in whatever sets his mind straight for the ride. It’s almost as if he is no longer here withus, but rather in his own secret garden in his mind. Maybe even the one he brought back to life for me.
I watch as he arrives at the chute, swinging his legs over the bar to mount the bull, finally making eye contact with the only person who must matter to him in that moment—the guy who opens the gate. In a split second, my stomach drops back to the floor as the sound of metal creaks open. I grip the bars in front of me.
I’ve seen people ride bulls, but this is the first time I’ve had real feelings for the man on top of one. The bull takes off like lightning. A living, breathing storm—so strong, everyone seems to fear it. Myself included. The earth all but trembles with each pound of his hooves into the sand. I can’t fathom the strength it takes to hold on. Each spin leaves me gripping the bar in front of me tighter. White-knuckled, I stand there holding my breath, hoping, praying that he not only makes his ride, but most importantly, that he does so safely. The seconds feel like an eternity, and I can’t help but be in awe of the man before me. Each spin, each buck, every movement looks second nature to him. It’s plain to see this is where he truly shines. This is the only other place that brings him to life.
The buzzer cuts through the arena, so loud it startles me from my thoughts.
He did it! Oh my God, hedidit. Rhett slips his hand from the bullrope and slides off, hitting the ground running. In aflash, he’s off to the side of the arena faster than when he came into it. Applause erupts among the crowd and the announcer bounces from his seat, whipping his hat up in the air as he screams into the microphone, “He’s done it, he hit 93.4!”
Cheering comes from every inch of the arena, and Duke practically leaps so high he could clear the steel gates himself. Just as fast as he went in, Hellfire is led out of the arena and back into the safe confines of a corral all his own. Everything around me is mass chaos, but I find solace in watching Rhett, who is now safe. The prize is brought in just as swiftly, but as Rhett removes his hat to see his score, he lets out a celebratory sound and doesn’t head toward the winner’s circle, but instead straight for me.
My heart feels like it might pound out of my chest, still elated that he accomplished what he set out to, but now confused at why he’s headed the wrong direction. I glance up at the monitor, noting the cameraman still following his every move. My stare snaps back to him, his gaze meeting mine, and I’m pulled into those warm eyes. Pure joy flows from him as he whips his hat in the air like the true show boat he is. I wonder if he knows that his prize waits for him at the other end of the arena or if his excitement has just distracted him.
“What are you doing?” My brows furrow but I’m unable to hide the smile on my face. He doesn’t answer fast enough so I add, “Go get that trophy Casanova, you won!”
“I sure did.” He climbs the rungs in front of me and I lean toward him. It’s like we’re two magnets, drawn to one another. “But that ain’t the prize, Angel.You are. He grips my chin, his dark brown eyes boring into me with a warmth I’ve never felt before. "You’re all I ever think about. The rush of being with ya, the way it feels to kiss that pretty smile of yours… I love you, Kaylee." The words bounce from his lips with pure, passionate joy.
“I love you too,” I respond without missing a beat, because he is the love of my life. The person who makes me feel whole, and the man I want not just now, but forever.
He pulls me in for a kiss. I take in the warmth of his lips and his tongue as it intertwines with mine. And I realize in the moment he was meant to find his trophy,he found me instead.
54
RHETT - NOVEMBER 13, 2004
I made it.For what I once considered a slinky reporter, Clay Cassidy was right. This was my comeback, I just didn’t notice in what ways until right now.
I was meant to fall so I could find my way to Kaylee. To find a storm that not only challenged me, but made me discover what life is truly about. How to live outside a realm that felt like my world until I found out that riding was just a piece of it.
As I sit in the reporter’s circle, I can’t help but look over to that beautiful storm who now stands surrounded by everyone that matters to me. The angel that came to save me from a life that had fallen victim to a rhythm that no longer made me feel free.
Clay places his recorder back between us at its place on the table. “Same song and dance, Rogers. From here on, everything will be on record.” He clicks the little red button, but this time he seems even more enthralled that he’s getting to speak to me first. “November 13, 2004, Rhett Rogers and Clay Cassidy. All the way to hell and back.”
My lips turn upward at the reference to Duke. He’s going to eat that shit up.
He sets the standard once more for what he expects, but this time I have a whole new perspective. I nod, agreeing again to his rules.
“I’m glad to see you back on this side of the circle.” He smiles, and the man I once viewed as someone just hunting me for a story now feels more like a friend who just wanted to see me overcome a challenge I never knew I needed. “So, Mr. Rogers, how does it feel to beat odds that were deemed nearly impossible only moments ago?”
I chuckle at his eagerness to dive in, but respect it. If I were in his shoes, I’d be diving in too. “Ya know, I could say the typical cliche’. That nothin’ is impossible if ya set your mind to it, and all that shit, but that ain’t all true. Ya can work your ass off, train from sun up to sun down, and still find yourself eatin’ dirt with one bad ride. Of course, mycomeback,as ya called it, rides on determination just like the rest of the riders here. Livin’ and breathin’ the sport has always come natural to me. This was about gettin’ up after I’ve fallen and comin’ back with a vengeance, of course, but I wasn’t just aimin’ for a comeback. I wanted more.”
My gaze drifts to Kaylee, warmth seeping into my chest at the broad smile lighting up her face. She’s so gorgeous it almost hurts to look at her. My own personal angel come to earth to save me.
He lets out a questioning hum. “More, huh? And would you like to elaborate on that for the readers?”
