I looked up from the designer faded and ripped fabric of the knees of my jeans when a coffee mug appeared in front of my face.
Blayze was standing in front of me, dressed in a pair of dark wash faded jeans, a pair of light, tan coloured boots and a light blue Bullzye t-shirt, extending the gently steaming mug to me.
Even from here I could smell the scent of tea.
The last of my stubborn resolve crumbled.
He'd followed me last night before I could zip myself into the swag.
We'd exchanged a few heated words, but that didn't stop him from coming to the swag to go to bed a few hours later.
My mind took me back to the moment.
The sound of the zipper on the swag dragged me out of my restless slumber.
"Leave me alone Blayze."
I grumbled, pulling the blankets over my head in an attempt to shut the outside world out.
"Well, I've been awake for twenty four hours, so I think you can just suck it up and let me get some sleep."
Blayze's voice retorted.
Twenty four hours?
That must mean it was around two AM.
I stifled a groan.
The noises and the jostling of the canvas fabric were irritating as Blayze climbed into the swag and zipped the flap shut again, but I bit my tongue and attempted to remain silent.
My eyes were now burning with fatigue and I blinked heavily.
So much for our lovely weekend away...
"Do I get my cuddle?"
My heart clenched and my throat felt thick once again.
"Go to sleep Blayze."
I muttered, glaring at the canvas wall of the swag.
"Well I want my sleep time cuddle."
Well you can just go to hell.
I bit my tongue.
"C'mon Bails."
His voice urged.
Oh my god!
I sucked in a deep breath, but kept my back facing him.
"Will you shut the hell up if I agree?"
I all but snapped.
"Possibly."
"The answer's yes or it's not happening, Blayze!"
I warned.
I suddenly felt him shift and then felt his hands on me and I froze.
What the hell?
Before I could protest, he pulled me around so that I was resting against his bizarrely still clothes covered chest.
Though it appeared he'd ditched his jumper.
I'm not used to Blayze wearing a top when we sleep...
"I heard yes."
His chest vibrated a little as he spoke.
"No. If you agreed to shut up I was considering saying yes."
I retorted.
But I could already feel my traitorous body relaxing against his.
Damn his super powers...
My eyes already felt ten times as heavy.
Sleep wouldn't be far away now.
Blayze's fingers began to rub gently into my shoulder.
I wanted to tell him to cut it the hell out, but it felt so damn good to have a massage that I bit my tongue.
"Hat rule or not, Bails, as far as I'm concerned every other woman can keep her clothes the fuck on."
Blayze determined.
Unwanted tears stung at my tired eyes.
"And yeah, I know who Savannah is. I went to school with her. Jax seems to think she's been into me since we were tween's. But I've never been there with her and I never will."
I reached up to take the steaming mug from Blayze.
"You talking to me yet?"
He asked, keeping his voice low to prevent eavesdropper's listening in.
I sighed, a great deal of tension leaving my shoulders.
There was no point cold shouldering him.
We're both supposed to be adults.
I offered him an attempt of a smile.
"Yeah."
Evident relief washed over his face and he took a seat beside me.
I lifted the mug and took a careful sip.
Mmmmm.
For someone who claims he hates to drink tea, he can manage to make a scrumptious brew!
"So... there's something I kinda need to talk to you about..."
I pulled my gaze from my tea and looked to Blayze's face.
A serious talk already?
My heart clenched.
"I've been asked to join the Bull Riding."
I probably should have been more surprised.
But for some reason, I wasn't.
"And what did you say?"
My voice refused to come out as anything more than a whisper.
He shrugged.
"I told 'em I had to think about it and talk to you."
Think about it.
Talk to me.
If he was even considering it then it told me he'd already made up his mind.
"You want to do it, don't you."
He twisted so that he was more or less facing me.
"I'm not gonna do it if you don't want me to."
He seriously thinks I'm stupid enough to believe that my opinion will actually sway his choice in a way that he'll actually be satisfied to live with?
"What is it that you want to do Blayze?"
I asked, keeping a close eye on his face.
"I feel... like maybe if I Bull Ride here, it could be the closure I'm seeking."
He finally explained.
My heart pounded.
"A-and if it's not?"
He shook his head.
"It will be."
For once, I had trouble believing him.
But I steeled my spine and reached over to take his hand.
Even if I wasn't sure I believed this would be the end of that chapter for him, I still had to support him.
"Then you need to do what you need to do."
I all but whispered.
He looked directly back into my eyes, making it feel like he was looking into my soul.
"So you'd be okay with it if I ride?"
I really wasn't sure why he was still saying if.
We both knew what he was going to do.
I tried my best to smile bravely.
"It's eight seconds, right?"
He leaned forward and captured my lips with his, giving them a kiss that ignited something deep inside my soul.
But my heart was aching, even as I kissed him back.
Arden had once told me they would loose Blayze in the Rodeo world, to me.
But I wasn't so sure about that.
Maybe he'd actually told me that to plant insecurities over our relationship in my mind.
"You should get ready so we can go take a look around in the grounds."
Blayze suggested.
I froze.
Weren't we meant to get to the Merchandise stall early?
"What's the time?"
I questioned.
He wriggled his phone out of his pocket before glancing at the screen.
"Almost nine."
Shit!
I took another gulp from my mug.

YOU ARE READING
Cowgirl Up 2 (Sequel) ✔️
RomanceThey're finally together, but Bailey and Blayze's hurdles aren't over just yet! Read on to find out how they keep battling the storm that's known as life, all the while drifting through their journey of love! #4 in Triumphs #1 in Cowgirl 😍 #1 in Ro...