Not my first Rodeo [cowboy romance]

Chapter 1

Francesca

I sigh as the car comes to a stop. Finally. I feel like the greasy burger I got for lunch will come right up, but it doesn't. After unbuckling myself, I almost trip on my way out of the car but don't actually fall. I take a deep breath and look around. The hotel seems nice enough and I might be spoiled for saying this. Giacomos team gets us the best hotels to be found, I'm quite sure of that. And actually, all of tomorrows competitors are staying here for the next few days.
That's a lot of testosterone for one place.

After picking up my suitcase and bag, I search for Giacomo in the crowd of people. Seems like most fans got told that we'd be here. Well, not we, but Giacomo. God, how the fans love him. I mean, I get it. Even if he's my brother, I would get why someone might like him, even though he never seems to like anyone back. It's not my business, really, but that man is allergic to relationships ... or human contact in any way. Maybe that's a Ricci-thing. I'm introverted as well, can't blame him.

After I spotted him, I walk right up to him. He's talking to Marcus, his manager. A well dressed man in his forties who just accidentally got to be in this industry. But he's good at his job. I put on my nicest smile because I feel like Marcus doesn't like me. It shows, because when his eyes meet mine his smile fades and the wrinkles on his forehead and all around his eyes get back. Yeah. "Annie, you ready?", my brothers voice makes me take my eyes off of Marcus, I look at him instead and smile a little. „Yeah, let's get in", I reply. And so we do. We get into the hotel and check in, which isn't taking too long. I guess life doesn't treat you too hard when you're traveling with the Giacomo Ricci.
While walking to the elevator, I take a look around and notice quite a lot of familiar faces.
This is not the first time Giacomo invited me to a competition. I know my way around here, with all of those cowboys and flirting chicks. It's fun to look at.
The elevator opens its doors and we get in. Just the two of us.  "So, you excited for tomorrow?" Normally, my brother doesn't talk much but me neither, so he always takes the initiative. "Of course, you better win that ride. Mamma and Papà will be watching" I look up at him and smile a little. We're not the best at making smalltalk, so I'm glad that the elevator stops going up and opens its doors for us.
It's always like this. Giacomo asks me a question, I answer. He nods or shakes his head and with that, our conversation ends. I like him nonetheless.

Going out of the elevator I spot just two other men in the hallway. One of them has brown hair and I see a few strands of blonde looking out of a cowboy hat of the other man. Just as one of them turns around, facing me, I look away searching for my room. My brother right behind me, I can sense his presence. That's good, I think, not being alone, but right as I reach the right door, he's not there anymore. I don't really care, I've found my room. As I open the door, I hear how Giacomo is making conversation with who seems to be one of the two men I noticed just a few seconds ago. I'm glad he does so I don't have to. It's his work after all.

"Giacomo Ricci, right? Oh man, didn't think I'd see you before the big event tomorrow. I'm-"
"Nathan Moore, yeah. My pleasure." one can almost feel my brothers discomfort. Well, it was his decision to become a world-known bullrider. I go into my room and shut the door right behind me. It falls into the frame with a loud "click". That's when I finally really calm down. In that moment I'm happy that I'm not the one who has to talk to other bull riding cowboys or give interviews for journalists just for them to analyse and switch every sentence around. I'm more than okay with being someone's sister, chilling and getting to experience this roadtrip all trough America.

I put my suitcase on top of my bed to start unpacking. It's not as much as people would think. We're staying here for just a few days, after all. As I go through my clothes my thoughts wander off to the competition tomorrow. I'll probably stay in the lounge, watching and taking photos. I'm under no stress. Giacomo's the one who's clearly under a lot of stress. But he will win. He did last year so there's nothing to worry about, right?

A little ritual I like to follow when coming to a new hotel is the following: taking a shower, laying in bed and watching tv while being on my phone. Makes me feel like I can concentrate better. I'm on instagram, looking through stories and highlights. The community is hyped about tomorrow. There's a lot of new fans since last year. Bullriding is popular again, thank god. More fans means more and better sponsors, better training for the riders. You can't work all your life in this business. You have to make the best out of these few years.

The sound of my phone gets me out of my thoughts. I blink once, twice and see the message on my homescreen.

Giacomo: going to the club. wanna join us?
Francesca: who's 'us'??
Giacomo: some guys on our floor. they seem nice enough.
Francesca: I'll be ready in 10