Page 83 of The Last Goodbye

I felt Cannon’s disappointment in the sharp pain that struck the middle of my chest.

Cannon had finished second in the overall scores. Second in the fucking world, yet we all knew that he’d be disappointed.

We just sat there, not saying a word. He’d put everything he had into this journey, and we were all proud as hell.

But Cannon never ceased to amaze me as we watched the award ceremony, held right there in the dirt following the final ride. Sebastian Lee received the gold buckle and was crowned the PBR World Champion, and our best friend was honored as the runner-up in a close fight. They shook hands, smiled, and waved to the fans.

He was the epitome of a true champion. He didn’t wallow or have a meltdown. He knew he’d left it all out there, and he’d let his body heal and do it all over again next year.

It was one of the things I admired most about him. He handled the wins and the losses with equal grace, and not many people could do that.

“Proud of you, brother,” I told him afterward. I clapped him on the shoulder before wrapping my arms around him and hugging him tight. “You’re a fucking beast.”

Phoenix shook his head. “Not sure how you did what you did tonight—but you’re a champion in every way, Cannon.”

“Don’t go getting soft on me, Nix. I gave it everything I had, and it wasn’t enough this year. I’ll be back.” He turned to my sister and opened his arms.

She rushed toward him, and he wrapped her up in a hug. Normally I’d slap him upside the head, but right now, I wasn’t going to say a damn word.

“Means a lot that you were here, Jov.” He kissed the top of her head, and then his gaze found mine, and he chuckled.

Jovi stepped back and swiped beneath her eyes—seeing him hurt was tough on all of us. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I’m proud of you.”

I didn’t miss the way he held her gaze a little longer than usual, just as the doctor motioned for him to take a seat so he could wrap his ribs.

Dr. Grant informed us that Cannon was going to have a lot of healing to do. They were taking him straight to the hospital for X-rays and tests, and then he’d return home.

We stayed with him until they said it was time to go. We made our way back to our hotel, where Jovi and I quickly packed our bags and said goodbye to everyone before heading to the airport.

My sister had flown in yesterday morning from New York as well. I was taking the red-eye home tonight because I had to be back at work tomorrow afternoon, not to mention that we had a lot going on with the renovation at the new location.

The thing that was surprising me most was how much I missed Briar Sinclair.

I’d only been gone for two fucking days.

How the hell was that long enough to miss a woman I wasn’t even dating?

A woman I’d only kissed once.

Well, twice, as she liked to point out.

We also hadn’t brought up said kiss again, yet we’d seen one another every day since then because we were in the midst of a major renovation.

Which usually led to spending several hours a day together.

When we weren’t together—we texted.

She’d even come by the restaurant the night before I left to show me some backsplash samples for the kitchen. She sat on a stool at the restaurant while I cooked and waited for me to have breaks to discuss the options.

The woman was so determined to get this job done, and to do it the right way—which impressed the hell out of me.

And somehow, going two days without seeing her had become a struggle.

But I shook it off and focused my attention on these last few moments with my sister before she headed to her gate. I wouldn’t be seeing her for six months, since she was leaving for Italy. We’d never been apart for that long before.

I wrapped my arms around her, hugging her tighter than usual. “Don’t take drinks from strangers, and trust no one.”

Her head tipped back with laughter. “Brilliant advice. I’ll speak to no one while I’m there. It’ll make for a wonderful experience.”