Page 20 of Buckin' Around

I’ve never missed watching one of Brady’s rides, nor he mine.

I make to leave and the woman steps forward. “Need this hat back, cowboy?”

“Nah, you keep it. Looks better on you, anyway.”

What’s another Stetson?

I hit her with a wide smile, my signature move, and she blushes, her gaze dipping to the ground. I take that tiny moment as a chance to jog my way over to the chute Brades is strapping down in.

Tossing my ropes at the back rails, I scale the chute and give him a hand.

“You got this, bud. Give him hell, and not an inch less.”

Brady tightens his helmet on his head.

He nods. “Okay, boys!”

The gate flies open.

My last breath stalls in my throat.

Chapter 6

Riley

“Slow down, Spence. Take a breath and say that again.” Stacey is pacing the tiny living space of our unit, passing by my door every few seconds.Oursis a loose definition of ownership, with my claim to this space about to be rescinded. I have no way to make enough to cover the accommodation fees without some kind of miracle dropping into my lap.

I reread the last line of the driest subject matter known to the business world.

“Okay. Don’t touch it. We’re on our way.” Stacey punches a manicured fingernail onto her phone screen. A string of curses passes her lips as she shakes her head.

I lean over and look through my bedroom door to find her head hanging, shoulders slumped. Okay, well, that doesn’t look like good news...

Straightening, I close my textbook and grab up my pho?—

Hold on, did she saywe?

Stacey wanders into my room. “You’re the oldest of six kids, right?”

I rise from my chair, pocketing my phone in my jeans. “Yeah, why?”

“I need your help.” She grabs my arm, practically dragging me from the room. I manage to grab my sweater on the way past the sofa and slide my shoes on as she’s muttering to herself. Something about “stupid older brothers.”

“Um, okay sure. What’s this about?” I ask as we track down the hallway, down the spiral stairs, through the foyer, and out into the milky morning sunshine.

“Spencer has a situation.”

“Oh... And you need me for this? I don’t think I’m the best pers?—”

“Riles, there is no way I can take this to our parents. So, you’re it.”

I’m not going to lie, I’m intrigued, but this sounds like a family thing. And I am not Stacey’s, let alone Spencer’s, family.

“God, I knew something like this would happen. So irresponsible,” she mutters, unlocking the car as we pile in, and she starts it up.

Waiting for Stace to compose herself, we sit in a tense silence for a moment.

“What kind of situation needs an oldest sibling, Stace?” I say softly.