Page 117 of Reckless Skye

‘So, let’s fuckin’ go.’

TJ stayed by her side as they entered the arena. When they came to the holding area, he gave her leg one squeeze and then waited just outside the alley.

Skye breathed long and deep as she tried to calm her – and Kai’s – nervous system. She knew it was working when the horse exhaled a huge breath and licked his lips.

Down the alley, she could make out the third barrel straight ahead. The sound of the crowd blended with the throbbing music and the announcer’s voice.

By the time she was called, her momentary calm had vanished. Her heart was speeding so fast that she could barely inhale around the pressure in her chest. Beneath her, Kai pulled the reins, his own anxiety clear.

Skye pushed him into the alley and stopped.

The announcer’s voice boomed. ‘Next up, ladies and gents, we have a rookie pair who are opening their season with a bang: Skye Marchant and Sweet Lil Bullet. Skye is currently ranked tenth in the WPRA season, and although it’s early yet, we have the makings of an NFR qualifier right here in Bismarck tonight.’

‘Bad Reputation,’ by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts started blaring.

Skye took three long breaths.

Beneath her, Kai was completely still, his every muscle on alert.

Although TJ knew Skye wouldn’t be looking up at the big screen, he was. The camera was zoomed on her and Kai, their black and pink colours flashing, their eyes facing forward. Kai stood relatively still, waiting for Skye’s cue and prompting the announcer to say, ‘Woohoo, folks, looks like we have a pair of cool cats right here.’

TJ held his breath. The music blared, but the sound of his heartbeat was still louder. It filled his ears. ‘Come on, baby,’ he murmured to himself. And when she shot down the alley, he yelled, ‘Go!’

The old man standing next to him jumped, but TJ barely noticed. He watched as Skye rounded the first barrel and pushed to second, her lead change as smooth as could be. She turned the second barrel perfectly and sailed for third.

The old cowboy standing next to TJ whistled low. ‘That girl of yours can jockey.’

TJ grinned. ‘Yes, sir.’

Skye, a full second ahead of the next best time, didn’t slow. She took the third barrel, checked a little too late so that Kai took a stumbling step off course. Skye corrected him, using her outside leg to push his hindquarters in.

For just a second, it looked like they were clear. Kai’s shoulders moved past the barrel, but right before they surged down the straight, the horse’s hip bumped the can. It tipped. ‘Fuck,’ TJ muttered as it fell.

Skye took the straight and crossed the laser line. She tugged on the bit as she tried to bring Kai down from the adrenaline high. But her face … it was set in a look of complete despair.

The old timer next to him commented, ‘Tough luck. But even with the five second penalty, it was a good run.’

‘Yeah.’ TJ nodded kindly. ‘Have a good one.’ He followed Skye out of the arena. But he couldn’t help but mutter, ‘Try telling her that,’ as he prepared to face her.

He knew enough about her childhood to understand why she put so much pressure on herself. Still, he had to reach for his patience when he saw her outside, her head hanging low, her eyes hiding under the brim of his hat. She looked like she’d failed to save a life – not, he thought, like she’d tipped a goddamn barrel over at a minor rodeo.

TJ could hate her father for just that. Her need to be perfect took so much from her, stealing moments of joy and accomplishment, moments that most people would have revelled in.

TJ went to her. He took Kai’s reins, flicked the brim of Skye’s hat up to reveal her face, and he said, ‘Good run, beautiful. I’m proud of you.’

To his complete horror, her eyes widened and then filled. But when she spoke, she didn’t point out that she’d tipped a barrel, she whispered, ‘You’re proud of me?’

‘Fuck yes.’

‘Why?’ She seemed genuinely confused.

‘You worked hard and consistently to get here. You adjusted when your horse got injured and made a plan to keep moving forward. You showed up today even though you were sick with nerves. And you gave it your best.’

‘I tipped a barrel.’

‘Yes, you did. But that’s part of the game.’ When a single tear slipped down her cheek, TJ brushed it aside. ‘Baby, if you keep doing this, it’s going to happen, and it’s going to happen often, irrespective of how good you or your horse is. You know that. You watch the NFR – you see the best of the best tip them all the time.’

She seemed to consider that for a long moment, but then she nodded slowly. ‘That’s true.’ She took her hat off and dropped her forehead to Kai’s. ‘I just feel like I let him down. He ran like the wind, TJ. I wish you could feel him under you.’