She hadn’t. He’d tell her where he ranked each week, but they hadn’t talked about the money he’d won. Not to mention the additional sponsorships he was being offered as he climbed higher in ride earnings.
“Speak of the devil.”
Tristan turned around, thinking Lyric was talking about Bullet, but instead she saw Harris Jones near the luggage carousels.
“Why does he keep showin’ up? He didn’t come close to qualifyin’ this year.”
Tristan didn’t know. She’d stopped paying attention a long time ago. She hoped he’d keep walking and not notice she was there.
“Tristan, I thought that was you.”
Something was different about him. He wasn’t as cocky, and he didn’t look well.
“Harris, are you ill?”
He didn’t answer right away, and Tristan thought he might just ignore her question and walk away.
“I been busy,” he finally said. He glanced at Lyric. “You still with her brother?”
“You’re damn right she is—”
“Look, uh, Lyric…that’s your name, right?”
“Yeah, that’s my name.”
“Could you give me a minute with Tristan? It’s important.”
There was something about the tone of his voice and the way he looked, that made Tristan feel sorry for him. She could take five minutes to talk to him.
Lyric shook her head and glared at Harris. “I’ll be stayin’ right here, listenin’.”
“What’s going on?” Tristan asked him.
When Harris reached out to touch her, she backed away. “I hate that you won’t let me touch you,” he sighed.
“It’s your own fault.”
“I know it is. But, Tristan, I’m not lyin’ when I say I want you back. It’s more than that. I need you.”
“You don’t need me; you don’t need anyone. Permanently, that is. Rodeos are full of women willing to give you just about anything you want—”
> “It isn’t what I want. It’s what I need. Ever since we broke up, I can’t get a decent ride for anything. You were my good luck charm, Tristan. When we were together, I rode better than I have any other time in my life.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I am. I need you to give me another chance.”
“Harris, I can’t. And I don’t want to. There was a time you had my heart, but you stomped on it and threw it away. There’s no going back for us.”
“Tristan, I’m in trouble. I piled up some debt, thinkin’ I’d be able to make it up once rodeo season kicked in again. I haven’t been able to…”
“I’m sorry you’re in trouble, but that isn’t my fault or my problem. If you’re in debt, get a job. Most bull riders have a day job, Harris. You always thought you were above it, but clearly you’re just as human as the rest of us.”
When Tristan walked away, he grabbed her arm. “Wait.”
She jerked it away from him. “Keep your hands off me.” The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, and bile burned her throat.
“You heard her.” Lyric stepped between Tristan and Harris. “Keep your filthy hands off her.”