Page 29 of Roping My Rival

As if reading my mind, he looks back over his shoulder with a smirk.

“Like the view, Burke?”

“Sure. Pretty sure I prefer the ass on the left.”

Dane’s smirk falls, and I can’t help the laugh that bursts out at his put-out expression. I don’t think he enjoys being the one on the other end of the jokes much.

“We’ll have to load the steers ourselves until Jesse joins us.”

Dane nods and glances around the ring. “How do you want to work this?”

I’m sort of shocked that Dane isn’t taking over, choosing to defer to me, but I don’t mind at all.

“We can warm up inside. Plenty of room to get the horses loose and throw a few. I’ll get Jesse to release the steers once we’re ready for a few practice runs.”

“Sounds good.” Dane hoists himself into the saddle and goes to the far end of the ring while I stay near the chutes. It’s hard to get my mind in the game when I keep darting glances at Dane. He’s not been competitive for five years and still throws with confidence and precision. Just like he did when I first met him all those years ago.

He was always an amazing tie-down roper. He could capture a calf and tie a knot faster than anyone. He was always so quick off the start that he could muck up his hooey tie and still win. I should know. I’ve lost to him more times than I care to admit.

Dane brings his horse next to mine. “I’m ready when you are. Still want to be the header?”

“Actually, I was thinking maybe you could. You always had a better start than me.”

Dane nods. “Okay. We can try both if you want and see what works best.”

Why is he being so cooperative? This is so odd for him to be so…likeable. So easy-going.

“Let’s try it with you heading first and see how it goes. I’ll go get Jesse if you want to get a few steers to the chutes.”

Dane nods again and takes his horse over to the gates and into the corral area. After tying Petey, I climb over the rails to locate Jesse.

“Hey, bro.” I knock on the doorframe of the office. “Can you come and do the releasing for us? We’re ready for a few rounds.”

“Can do. Just let me save my work.” Jesse clicks at the computer before standing. “I just had an email from an Aussie bull rider. He wants to come to the school and spend a year here training and touring. I’m not sure if we can help him out with the legal stuff, though. I’ll talk to Clarence about it.”

Snorting, I shake my head. “He’s the lawyer, Jesse. If anyone knows, it’ll be him. Make him work for something here. Since he doesn’t like to get dirty, I feel like it’s always us pulling the weight for him.”

We walk along the hall to the ring, and I immediately feel shitty for bad-mouthing my youngest brother, but it’s true.

“I’ll handle it. I wish you’d stop being so harsh with him, Warren. He’s had a hard life, too. Probably worse than both of us.” He gentles his voice. “We’re family.”

“I know. I’m sorry, and you’re right. This thing with Dane has me on edge, I guess.”

Jesse stops and pulls me back a step. “A thing? What thing?”

“Being his fucking partner, Jesse!” I hiss. “The guy has been nothing but a thorn in my side for years. He’s…he’s…” He’s getting to me. Being this close and speaking full sentences when all I ever had from him before was taunts and smirks has me unsettled.

“Whoa, bro, calm down.” Jesse’s hand on my arm brings me back to reality, and I inhale to get myself together.

“I’m fine. It’s just…I’m fine.”

I leave Jesse in the hallway and quickly hop back into the ring before he can press me for more. Petey stands waiting, and so does Dane. His expression says nothing, and I hope to god he didn’t overhear anything with Jesse.

“What side do you prefer?” I ask as we head to the chutes, and he shrugs.

“Whatever side you don’t want. I’m not picky.”

He always used the right side like me. Since he’s going for the head, I back up Petey into the left side chute. Dane takes the right side, and Jesse makes sure the barriers are ready across our chutes and the steer’s. It’s awkward for Jesse to get back and load a steer without it bolting before he’s ready, but Jesse has done this so often that he has his own system to manage it.