In the wake of her father's death, Spencer Edwards' mother packs up their lives from Oxford, England, and moves them to the middle-of-nowhere Texas. With an agitation for agriculture, and a distaste for anything farming, the small town of Cherry Spr...
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The death of a beloved is an amputation. - C.S Lewis
Chapter Song - Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
Fear.
It's creeping around me.
Last time I was here, I felt no nerves. I was a bit excited I'll admit, but now that excitement has tarred and morphed into full fledge worry.
My relationship with Maverick is different now. We haven't spoken about the kiss on the Fourth of July, but I know all the feelings I'd been bottling in have now risen to the surface. And among the giddy bubbles of joy, is the air pockets of fear.
It isn't as hot or fun seeing him hold on for dear life on a bull. Not when the danger is so apparent to me now, all highlighted in neon yellow highlighter.
"You alright?" Kaylee asks me.
I snap out of my worried thoughts. "Huh? Yeah."
"He'll be okay. He knows what he's doing, this is just a fun rodeo." She reads my thoughts.
"I know. But I can't help but worry."
She nods. "Talk to him, he'll assure you. There's only so much I can help with. Adele and I will be in our seats, meet you there." She tells me before she leaves for our seats in the busy arena.
I take a breath and head over to the area where all the chutes are, coaches and bull-riders hanging about. They all chat and laugh, not one nerve or piece of tension in the air around them.
Only me, I suppose.
I weave my way past people until I see Maverick with his coach. "Maverick?" I tap his shoulder, and he spins around.
"Hey, Darlin'," he grins that charming grin, not a nerve in him. "Need something?"
"I um," I suddenly feel embarrassed for being worried. Everyone else here is calm, chill, 'cause it's only a fun rodeo. But it's still unpredictable and angry bulls, but I know Maverick understands what he's doing. "Never mind. It doesn't matter." I turn around to head back.
Maverick grabs my hand, spinning me back. "It must matter if something is bothering you, what is it?" His expression is soft.
"No, it's fine. Really." I brush him off.
"You're worried." He realises.
I peer down to my feet. "It's stupid, I know I don't need to be."
He lifts my face up from my chin, before cupping my cheek. "It's not stupid. This is bull-riding, there are many risks involved. But you should know I'm not nervous or scared, and I know what I'm doing here." He assures me.
"I know."
He smiles gently. "Good. Now you better get back to your seat, I need my cheerleader out there."
