Page 34 of Roping My Rival

Warren returns and hoists himself up on his horse. “You should meet some guys. Many of them tie-down rope, too.”

“Another time.”

The last pair is out, and it looks good…until they only catch a single foot.

“We did it,” I breathe.

“Yeah, we did. Maybe this partnership might not be so bad.” Warren turns his horse away from the ring. “Let’s go. No victory lap at this one.”

That’s not a terrible thing. The only time I liked victory laps was when I could bug Warren about losing to me. Now that we’re both winners, I guess I’ll have to wait and see how it goes in tie-down.

Just like old times, I hope I can goad him a little later.

Gently, of course. Just enough to push him into doing something I like.

“Just like old times, eh, Burke?”

Dane grins at me as he raises his glass of draft beer.

“Me losing you mean?”

He winks. Fucker.

“It’s weird being happy because we won together, and then I beat you separately after. I’m not sure how to feel, you know? Technically, you’re not a loser since you’re my partner and we won.” He licks at the beer clinging to his lip. “But I’m still better. Objectively, of course.”

I had a disastrous tie-down run. I struggled to get the calf on its side and dropped my rope. I never drop my rope. Ever. I didn’t just finish second to Dane. I was last.

And I hate it more than I ever have before.

“Fuck you, Walker. Not tonight, okay?”

I can’t do this with him now. Hell, I can’t even focus on how well we did at the team event and enjoy that victory. Not when he brings up the other stuff.

“I’m gonna head to the hotel. It’s an early morning to get back home.” Standing, I finish my beer and don’t wait for his reply. He has a key, and he knows where the room is. I’m not his keeper.

I’ve barely left the bar when footsteps sound behind me. I don’t even look. I know it’s Dane.

“You could’ve stayed.”

“You looked like you needed a friend.”

My feet stop moving, and I turn to him. “Did you find one for me?” I deadpan.

He sighs and rubs his hand over his face. So what if this is bothering him? He’s the one being an asshole, not me. I spin on my heel and keep walking.

“Warren…I’m sorry, okay. Old habits and all that.”

My name shouldn’t sound so good from his lips. God dammit, why does he tie me in knots like this and why do I let him? I made him promise to not tease me and I’m letting him do it anyway.

Speeding up so we aren’t walking side by side, his quiet laugh is like a slap to my face. Sorry, my ass. He lives for this, and I wish I’d never agreed to this partnership.

He’s still a step behind me as we reach the hotel doors. I don’t hold it open for him. When he stands next to me at the elevator, I briefly think of taking the stairs instead, but the doors open and I step inside.

“You couldn’t wait for the next one?” I ask when he follows me inside.

“Why? There’s more than enough room for both of us in here, and I don’t want to wait.”

Dane leans against the rail as I punch the button for our floor.