Four

                                    

                                          
"You ready for this?" Blake asked, wiggling her eyebrows. 
                          
"Hell no," I grimaced, glancing to the packed stands. 
                          
The rodeo was in full swing now and the roping events were coming up faster than I would've liked. 
                          
"Don't be nervous, Coda! We'll do great!" Oakley encouraged. 
                          
I reached down to give Winston's withers a shaky pat. At least the horse didn't seem phased by the chaos surrounding us. 
                          
"Y'know, you guys didn't tell me this was such a big rodeo."
                          
Blake rolled her eyes. "Yeah, because we knew you'd back out if we did. And honestly, this isn't that big. It's about the size of Border Days." 
                          
"And Border Days is huge!" I exclaimed. "The oldest rodeo in Idaho is bound to get a lot of people and publicity."
                          
"Coda, I know. I'm the damn queen, remember?" Blake teased. 
                          
"Just proving my point," I muttered. 
                          
"Point proven. Now calm your tits and get ready to rope! We have some ass to kick!" She whooped. 
                          
As if on cue, the announcer introduced the first pair of team ropers. The calf was released with a bang and the competitors took off in a blur. The time was announced but I was unable to catch it. 
                          
Several more unfamiliar pairs went and my anxiety increased with every team announced. Finally, a name caught my attention. 
                          
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, here we have Wyatt Lunders and his partner Ty Mercer! These boys compete not only all over Idaho, but all over the country! Let's wish them some luck tonight!"
                          
Cheers and whistles erupted through the crowd while I sat stiffly in my saddle. 
                          
The calf was released and made a beeline for the catch pen. I watched closely as Ty landed his rope around both stubby horns and turned the calf towards Wyatt. He swung his rope methodically and caught both legs with practiced ease. What amazed me the most was the serene expressions both kept in place the entire time. 
                          
"Coda, what are you doing?" Oakley giggled. 
                          
"Working on my game face. How's this?" 
                          
She burst into laughter as I glanced in her directions, lips tightly closed and eyes slightly narrowed. 
                          
"A little scary, but ridiculous more than anything," Blake chimed. 
                          
"Well, damn." 
                          
"Coda, just tune out everything else and focus on what you're doing," Blake advised, collecting her wits as the pair her and Kellan were to follow entered the box. 
                          
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. As far as I knew, Oakley and I were set to compete directly after Blake and Kellan. 
                          
One glance at Oakley had me sincerely fearing for our dignity. She was slouched loosely in her saddle, a faraway, dreamy look in her eyes. 
                          
"Earth to Oakley!" I shouted, barely staying calm. 
                          
She flashed me that brilliant grin as the world came back into focus. "I'm here!"
                          
"Are you really?" I asked sarcastically. "Because it looks like you're a little wrapped up in something else. Or should I say someone."
                          
She sighed. "I just can't stop thinking about Lane."
                          
"Good or bad?"
                          
The absent look returned. "Good."
                          
"Oh god, don't tell me you're in love with him already!"