Page 55 of Hard To Fall

He pouts. “Not nervous at all.”

“Good, because she’s your new trainer.”

His eyes snap to mine. “My what?”

“That circuit you got invited to next season? It’s bigger than anything you’ve done before. And she’s going to get you ready for it.”

He raises a brow. “That sounds like,” he clears his throat, “a good idea?” He doesn’t mean it as a question, but she’s got him flustered, and I’m loving it.

“Just making sure you don’t face plant on national television, brother.”

He grins and tips his hat before throwing his arm around me. “I was just thinking maybe it’s time Hearts Bend became known for more than just one Callahan. You hung it up, brother. Let me step in now.”

“If you can handle the training, you can handle anything,” Sierra says as she puts her arm around Lily.

The air crackles between the four of us, and I stifle down a laugh. I look out at the arena, then back at him. “Sounds like the beginning of something.”

He tips his hat. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”

I don’t miss the chute, and I certainly don’t miss the fight of the bull. What I have now is better. It’s dust under my boots with my girl beside me and our future stretched wide before us.

I don’t feel like I’m missing out on chasing the next high; I’m already standing in it.

THE END