by Cat Johnson
He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. How in the world had his life gotten so pitiful? He wished he knew.
“Thanks for the hotdog, Jace.” What was it about arena food that made it taste twice as good? Tara hadn’t eaten a hot dog at home at her parents’ house since she was like twelve, but at an arena she loved them.
“No problem.” He devoured the last bit of his dog and bun and wiped his mouth with the napkin. They’d stopped for lunch on the road not too long ago, but he had eaten his frank as if he was a starving man. Then again, most men ate like that.
Tara still had half of her own to eat, but she wanted to set something straight before taking another mouthful. “I want you to know I do have some money. You don’t have to worry you have to feed me or I’ll starve.”
He leveled his gaze with hers. “Tara, it’s a hotdog. Just eat it and stop worrying.”
“Okay. And thanks again.”
She hated that Jace was being nice to her because she’d told him she was too poor to afford a hotel room. Things seemed easier when they could insult each other and then go on their way. He was right though, with them together day and night for the next three weeks, they’d better keep the peace. Hopefully that’s why he was acting like a human instead of a walking dickhead—the whole traveling partner code of ethics she’d never thought about before.
“Thanks again for paying for the room, too.”
“You’re welcome. Again.” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Okay, maybe she was being overly grateful. She’d listened at check-in and the room had been pretty cheap, and he did have to pay for one for himself anyway, so having her in it too didn’t cost him any extra. Still, it was more generous than she’d ever given Jace credit for. The whole situation threw her opinion of him on its ear. Tara didn’t like change in general. Even changes for the better were hard to get used to.
“You sure you’re okay with that? The room situation?” he asked, watching her.
“Yes. I told you I was. I have brothers. I’m used to all the burping and farting that men do, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
He smiled. “That wasn’t my concern, but good to know.” “Then what’s wrong?” Tara frowned until realization dawned. “Oh, you’re worried about that other thing.”
Jace’s brows drew down beneath the brim of his hat. “I’m a little afraid to ask, but what other thing?”
“You know. What happens to men in the morning. Down there.” She glanced at the crotch of his jeans.
Jace looked torn between laughing and blushing. He bit his lip and nodded. “Now that you mention it, that could be a concern.”
She waved one hand. “Don’t worry about it. I know it’s like a reflex or something. I won’t take it personal. It’s not like it’s because of me or anything.”
“All righty.” He nodded and hissed a breath in through his teeth. “Sure glad that’s cleared up.”
“Oh sure. No problem. I’m fine with all of it.”
“Good to know.” He stood and reached down to pick up his gear bag. “I’m gonna go prep my rope.”
With that, she figured their strange alliance was signed, sealed, and delivered. “Okay. I have to go find my boss, anyway. See you later.”
“See ya.”
“Ride good,” she said as he turned away.
“I’ll sure try. Doctor good,” he said back.
“Will do.”
With a crooked grin, Jace turned on one boot heel and headed for the chutes.
Tara finished her frank and, fueled up and ready for action, headed back to the medical room. Killing time with this new version of Jace had been relaxing, but it was time for her to catch up with the doctor and the two other technicians on the team as they prepped for the night ahead. She knew things would get more hectic once the event started.
It was kind of like working on an ambulance and at a physical rehabilitation facility at the same time. The crew had to switch on a second’s notice. Tara had learned that just from her few hours working with the team in Shawnee the night before. One moment she’d be strapping an ice bag to a guy’s shoulder with an ace bandage, the next there would be a rider laid out and unconscious in the middle of the arena . . . with the bull still in it with him. It was as insane as it was exhilarating, and she was pretty sure she loved it.
“Hey, Tara. You’re here nice and early.”
“Yeah, we pulled into town early so we figured we might as well come on over.”
“We?” Doctor Chandler raised a brow.
“I’m traveling with Jace Mills.”
“Really. I didn’t realize you two were together.”
“Oh, oh no. No, no. We’re not. He’s one of my brother Tuck’s best friends and since my car crapped—I mean broke down, I didn’t have a way to travel, so Jace offered. We’re definitely not together.” She shook her head a few more times to make sure that was totally understood.
“All right. It doesn’t matter either way to me. Just asking.”
“Well, no. It’s not like that.” Tara drew in a deep breath. “So, yeah. Anyway, need me to do anything?”
“Today’s event will go pretty much the same way yesterday’s did. You feel good about last night?”
“Yeah. Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
“Good. Good to hear. I do want to keep an eye on that kid who got hung up in his rope last night. Make sure he’s okay to ride and not hiding something. I noticed him favoring his riding arm. That’s one thing you need to learn about bull riders. You can’t listen to them when they tell you they’re okay. Not only do they seem to have a higher threshold of pain than most people, but they’re so used to hurting, they ignore it. More than that, they’ll outright lie. Say they’re not hurt just so I’ll clear them to ride. You gotta use your own judgment and watch for signs.”
“Okay. I’ll remember that.” Tara flashed back to when she was much younger.
Tuck would sometimes come home from a competition barely able to get out of the truck. He’d hobble into the house until she’d comment on it. Then he’d straighten up and walk normally, like nothing had happened.
Well, almost normally, but not quite. There was still something off about his gait. And a set to his jaw that told her he was hiding the pain. She was definitely well equipped for this job after growing up in a house with a bull rider. Rooming with one during the internship would give her even more experience. She would keep a close eye on Jace. It would be good training.
She glanced in his direction and found him surrounded by bull riders—hot young guys all seemingly riveted to his every word. What the devil was going on there?
“Just your brother’s friend, huh?”
“Pardon?” Tara turned toward the doctor and found him smirking.
“You’re staring.”
“Oh, sorry. I was just wondering what’s going on over there. It looks like he’s holding some kind of class.”
“Could be. Jace is always teaching the rookies something or other. When you’ve been around the sport as long as he has, you pick up a lot of tricks. It’s nice he’s sharing them with the younger guys. Some riders wouldn’t be that generous with their time. They don’t want to be bothered with the rookies.”
“Really? Hmm.” Tara had never thought of Jace as generous with his time or his money, and he’d surprised her twice in one day.
“Yup. Jace is always helping wherever he can. Your brother, too. He’s just not around as much as he used to be since he got himself a girl.”
“She’s his wife, now.”
“That’s right. I’d heard he’d gotten married. Anyway, I’m going to check on the staff in the medical room.”
“Okay.” Tara continued to watch Jace, still amazed how the young guys looked at him like he was serving up the secrets of the universe.
“Tara?”
“Yeah?”
“You wanna come with me? There’s guys who need wrapping before they ride.”
&n
bsp; “Oh, Lord, of course. I’m sorry. I’m still getting used to the job.”
He shot Jace a parting glance before he smiled at Tara and turned away.
That’s all she needed, to lose the internship because she was acting like a ditz, because she was so busy watching Jace’s little impromptu bull riding lecture for the rookies.
Tara jogged to catch up with Dr. Chandler. She didn’t have time to watch and wonder about Jace. In fact, she hadn’t even gotten a chance to watch his or any of the rides the night before because she’d been so busy. She expected tonight would be the same.
For the rest of the night, one hundred percent of her attention would be on the doctor, her job, and any injuries.
Chapter Six
Dirty, tired and exhilarated, all at the same time, Jace made his way back to the medical room.
Another event was done. He’d ridden in both the long round and the short go, and he’d come out of it healthy. That he hadn’t been to visit medical out of necessity, but was going to retrieve Tara to drive her to the hotel, was pretty amazing. In fact, he hadn’t been hurt, not even a little bit, during the two competitions that she had been with him. He was beginning to believe she might be his good luck charm—strange as that seemed.
Superstition was nothing new in sports, particularly in rodeo. Not that he was into that kind of stuff. He wasn’t about to attribute tonight’s third place, or yesterday’s second, to the new three-pack of underwear he’d picked up at the store last week. Although, maybe he would save that third new pair to wear at the next competition, and just wear an old pair tomorrow for the travel day.
It would be interesting to see if he finished in the money while wearing them. If he did—well, he might have to reconsider how he thought about things . . . and which boxer briefs he put on before riding.
There was a good chance Jace had stayed healthy for two nights straight because deep down he didn’t want Tara tending to him. Sure, she looked capable enough. He’d watched her working with the doc for two competitions and she’d seemed nothing but professional with the guys who’d been hurting. He knew if he got really injured, she’d do her job and fix him up alongside Doc Chandler just fine. He just didn’t want to deal with it or her.
Chances were high he’d have to pay a visit to the medical room and face her in that capacity at some point over the next three weeks. Major wrecks happened to all of them. In bull riding, it wasn’t a question of if a rider got hurt, just when and how badly. Jace had tangled with the wrong side of a bull more times than he could count. He’d depended on dumb luck, fate, and the bullfighters to get him out of deadly situations.
Still, the reality was that Jace was far more likely to do something small to injure himself, like pull a groin muscle. That’s when the cocky comments would come from his little traveling partner. Something snappy like what a shame his lower half was out of commission and how all the buckle bunnies would be crying over the loss.
At least Tara was always consistent in her insults. It was amusing as hell, some of the stuff she came up with. He smiled at the memory of some of her zingers just as she came into view. “Hey, Tara. You almost ready to head out?”
“Is it late? You’re done with autographs already?”
“Yup.”
“Can you give me five minutes? I’ve got one more guy to check on before I can leave.” Looking flustered, she glanced at the doorway of the medical room.
“Sure.” Jace dipped his head. “No rush.”
“Thanks so much. I’ll be quick as I can.” She took off down the hall, as Jace ambled at a slower pace behind her.
It had been a busy night for sports medicine. He may have placed third, but statistically, the bulls had won the night in sheer number of buck offs and injured riders.
He wandered into the room Tara had disappeared into to find Justin Mays laid out on a table. Jace tipped his head to the kid. “Hey, man. How you feeling?”
“Well, I’m seeing two of you instead of one, but other than that, not so bad.”
Jace shook his head. “You should wear a helmet, kid.”
“You don’t.”
“I didn’t learn with one. I’m not used to it. You, on the other hand, did learn to ride in a helmet. I know damn well you rode on your high school team and schools require helmets, so stop being a stubborn idiot and wear your doggone helmet. Got it?”
Justin’s pout made him look even younger than his twenty-one. “Yes, sir.”
“Good. I better see it on you next event . . . whenever that will be after you get cleared from what I bet is a nice concussion.” Jace noticed Tara hanging off to the side. “Sorry. I’m in your way.”
“No, not at all. You’re fine.” She moved in closer to her patient, but not before shooting Jace a sideways glance. “I agree with Jace. I’m not a bull rider but I’ve studied enough about head injuries and I’ve gotten quite the introduction to them over the past two days. A helmet would have prevented yours tonight. You should start wearing it. We wouldn’t want to see that handsome face of yours get messed up, now would we?”
“All right. I’ll go back to wearing it.” Justin half smiled while looking dazed, from the injury or Tara’s flirting Jace couldn’t be sure.
“Glad to hear it.” Tara nodded as she whipped out a penlight to shine into the kid’s eyes.
Justin was probably seeing two Taras instead of just one smiling down at him, so he was doubly smitten.
Jace grinned at how the rookie, blushing at Tara’s attention, had caved so easily. It would be a good profession for her. She could get the riders to do whatever she wanted by sweet-talking them.
Tara turned to get something and caught his grin. “What’s so funny?”
He shrugged. “Nothing. Just watching you work your magic.”
One dark brow cocked up high. “Not magic, just medicine.”
The kid on the table watched Tara’s every move.
Jace could see he had to stare extra hard to focus through the haze of the concussion. “Nah, I think it’s a little bit of both.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Nothing.” Jace shook his head. “Don’t mind me.”
“Easier said than done.” Tara pulled a face, before turning back to the patient. “Doc Chandler is gonna want you to see your regular doctor first thing tomorrow for a follow-up. Okay?”
“Okay.” Justin’s gaze dropped away from Tara’s. He was lying.
Jace knew what the kid was thinking. He’d been on that table himself more than a few times. There was no way Justin would go to the doctor for a bump on the head. Heath insurance was a luxury in this business, so most guys did without visits to the doctor.
As for himself, if Jace wasn’t coughing up blood or didn’t see shards of broken bone poking out through his skin, he wasn’t going to any hospital or the doctor. For little things like cracked ribs, or sprained ankles, or dislocated shoulders, or concussions, what was the point? The doc couldn’t make things heal any faster than nature could on its own.
A doctor would hand this kid a big bill for the pleasure of hearing he should take it easy and not ride for a while. Jace would lay down good money that Justin would be back on a bull by the weekend event, if not sooner.
“You shouldn’t drive. Do you have a ride home?” Tara asked him.
“Yeah. My parents were here watching tonight. They’ll take me home. They’re waiting just outside.”
Poor kid. The wreck of the night and it was in front of his family. Oh, well. At least his momma would take care of him. That’s more than Jace had had when he’d started out riding pro with no daddy and his mother living in Florida.
“All right, then. You can go. You need me to help you walk?”
Justin’s eyes opened a bit wider at Tara’s offer as he held up one hand. “No, I can do it.”
No guy wanted a girl he thought was cute to help him walk. Pride wouldn’t allow it. Jace stopped himself from offering and watched and waited, on alert to jump in an
d save the kid from a fall.
Justin slid off the table and braced himself for a few seconds before taking a tentative step. When it looked as if he wasn’t going to fall flat on his face, he took another step and reached for the doorway. His perception was definitely off, judging by how he missed the doorframe with his hand by a good two inches the first time. The second time he made it, turning his whole body back to look at Tara, rather than just his head. “Thanks . . . for everything.”
“You’re welcome.” Tara sent him a smile that lit her entire face. “Feel better.”
“I’ll try.” The kid was obviously hurting, but he managed a smile in return before he left.
Jace shook his head. “That kid has it bad.”
Moving around the room putting supplies away in plastic bins, Tara nodded. “Yeah, he’ll feel it even more tomorrow.”
“I didn’t mean the injury.” While Jace watched her work, he leaned his ass against the edge of the examining table. This wasn’t such a bad place to hang out, if you were healthy. Quiet. Lots of places to sit and relax. Being in there while he was hurting—now that was quite another story. “I meant he has a serious crush on you.”
“What? No, he doesn’t.” Tara frowned at Jace, then glanced at the doorway. “You think?”
“I don’t think. I know.” Jace laughed.
“Hmm.” She looked as if she was considering that concept. “Doesn’t matter, anyway. He’s a patient. It would be unethical for me to think of him as anything other than that.”
Jace raised a brow. “If that’s your standard, then you’ve just wiped out your entire dating pool at this job because every one of us will be your patient at one time or another.” Even him, like it or not. “You know very well, in bull riding—”
“It’s not a question of if you’ll get hurt. It’s when and how bad. I know. I’ve heard it a million times from Tuck.”
“I’m sure you have. And I hope you listened. Tara, didn’t you ever notice how the bucking chutes are the same size and shape as a grave?”