Cold State Line

"Ladies and gentleman, that closes the fourth night of the wildest, richest rodeo in the west! But before you vacate your seats get ready for the boys who put the bull riders to shame. THE FMX BOYS!"

Usually, I left right after my race was over, but the Reno Rodeo had the coolest ending to any rodeo ever. Houston and Dallas closed out with a country concert, but Reno always ended it in a blast. They brought in two professional FMX guys who did flips and stunts all over the arena and then fireworks burst onto the scene. I loved it, mainly because I'd never seen anything like it.

My eyes never left the riders as they jumped from one ramp to the other, doing backflips and 360 rolls and Supermans. It was insanity, and it was something I could never do. I always wanted to try bronc or bull riding, but FMX just seemed like an entire other beast. How did these guys do it without pissing themselves?

"Miss Lewis?" A rodeo hand asked. "Will you be signing autographs tonight?"

A smile flashed across my face. I never got asked to sign anything. This was a huge honor. "Really?"

"Yes, they want you and Miss Anna. If that's okay?"

"I would love to!"
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Autographs were the most incredible feeling. It was a bunch of cowboys, barrel racers, and rodeo queens sitting at various tables, signing the latest Reno Rodeo poster. It was the most amazing feeling having little girls and boys ask you to sign their poster.

I loved it, and I loved that so many young girls wanted to try barrel racing. Even more young girls told me that they just wanted to try horseback riding because it looked like fun. Being an inspiration was the most amazing feeling, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. And to think, we had another six nights here.

As the autographs ended, I felt my mood change. It just felt like there was something missing today, for the last few days really. I missed Matt; I missed talking to him. Tina thought he was a distraction, but he made me feel whole again.

Sighing, I headed to my trailer. Reno was always busy, so we hadn't been able to get a hotel room, but Tina had a nice trailer that she was letting Anna and I use since she had found a hotel room. She said she needed it more since we were young and she was old.

Anna was already passed out by the time I got into the room and finished my shower. The poor girl was exhausted. She and Ranger were doing their absolute best and they were doing exactly that. I was too wired to sleep. I wanted to talk to Matt.

I quietly crept out of the room with my cell phone in hand. Sure, I was breaking Tina's rule, but I wanted to hear that baritone voice.

The phone rang and rang until it finally clicked on. It was only when the phone was answered that I realized how late it was. Matt had probably been sleeping, and I was the idiot that woke him up.

"Hello?" His voice definitely sounded sleepy.

"Oh my god, sorry Matt. I forgot how late it was."

"Haylee?"

I could hear excitement in his voice. "Yeah. Sorry Tina made me go radio silent, but I just wanted to hear your voice."

"Damn, girl, it is so good to hear your voice. How have you been?" It sounded like he was getting out of bed. That only made me feel worse.

"I've been good. The Reno Rodeo is by far my favorite. Las Vegas is a shoo in. We go in three months."

"Congrats, Haylee! I'm so glad to hear that."

I paused. "What about you?"

"Working on a new record, thinking of you."

A huge smile appeared on my face, and I wished he could see it. "Really?"

"Yeah, babe, really."

We started talking about various things, touching on every subject that we could think of. It felt so good to hear his voice, now if only I could be in his arms again. I wanted to feel those muscled arms wrapped around my body, pulling me close to him.

"It's so good to hear your voice, Haylee." Matt yawned and I realized how late we'd been up talking.

"We better get to bed, Matt. It was so nice to actually talk to you. We should do this again very soon."

Matt started to respond, but then I heard something that made my heart stop. "Matt, come back to bed."

It was like my stomach bottomed out. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I instantly hung up the phone and ran back to my room. He was just like Clay. He was a cheater, and I couldn't tolerate that.

Notes

Update... thoughts?

Side note: I was born and raised in Reno, so I've been to their actual rodeo a few times. The do use FMX riders to close the rodeo every day. It's fucking legit.