Page 64 of Worth the Fall
Chapter Twenty-One
It was finally rodeo time.
The songs were blasting. The crowd was rushing through the doors. The cowboys were warming up.
The anticipation was palpable, and I had the best seat in the house.
I was behind the chutes, feeling the excitement and nerves through the contestants. This rodeo felt different; we were on the countdown to the NFR, and so many of the riders were fighting for their spot.
Billy had been back here for a few minutes, getting footage of the Agri-Corp logo plastered everywhere. I hadn’t held back the marketing budget this time, knowing tonight would be big for the rodeo world.
When I approached her, she was flirting with one of the tie-down ropers. “Hi, Billy! Sorry, Thompson is surprisingly chatty when you get him going.”
We had talked for half an hour, going through too many drinks, and actually sharing a few laughs. He was a shockingly pleasant person when he wanted to be.
Billy was wearing a neon pink dress and had her hair piled in two buns on top of her head. “Hey, boss!” She held out her hand to the cowboy. “It was nice to meet you.”
He shook it. “I’ll call you,” he promised, walking away.
“You got game, girl,” I said with obvious surprise. “Thought you had a boyfriend.”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “It was a casual thing, but it’s over now. Guys can’t resist me.”
“GOOOOD EVENIN’ COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS!” The announcer boomed. “Are you ready for the world’s largest indoor rodeo?”
The crowd screamed back.
“We’ve got quite the show lined up for you tonight! The best riders and the toughest animals in Oklahoma!” He cleared his throat. “Tonight, we’d like to give a special thanks to our title sponsor.”
This was it, time for the script I had spent hours stressing over.
“Agri-Corp is more than a company; it’s a family legacy. We folks in the rodeo are well aware of what it’s like to be a part of a legacy. In fact, tonight we are in the presence of some truly special cowboys. Thompson Avery, a bull-rider who wasn’t afraid to ride the toughest animals in the business. Mickey Montgomery, a tie-down roper with impeccable speed. And of course, the infamous Dennis Nash, son of James Nash, father of Jimmy, Colton, Alan, and Dean Nash, who have been proving to us all that the rodeo is more than a sport, it’s a way of life.”
I held my breath.
“These cowboys are what make Agri-Corp more than a dealership. They know what it’s like to be in and a part of the rodeo. That’s why they’re our trusted partner in all things rodeo gear. Let’s give a big hand to our sponsor, Agri-Corp!”
The crowd gave an incredible response.
I let out my breath and let my shoulders relax.
Billy nudged me. “Nice work, boss.”
I smiled. “Thanks, kid.” I was relieved she had managed to capture the whole speech on camera, including the audience’s excellent response.
“Is there any specific footage we need?” She yelled over the music as the rodeo royalty presented the flags.
I checked my iPad. “Not particularly until the after party. If you want to get some food or something, I don’t think I’ll need you for a little while.”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Thanks! I’ll meet you at the Agri-Corp booth?”
“Sounds good.”
Ding
I looked down at my phone to see a text from Dennis, or Jo using Dennis’ phone.
If you get tired of standing by the stinky animals, there’s plenty of room on the bench with us crazy hicks!
