Dare You to Resist the Bull Rider (Rock Valley High 4)

“No worries.” His eyes danced with excitement. He rapped his knuckles on the side of his head and then winked at me. “Hard as a rock. At least, that’s what Mom says.”

“I think she meant dumb as a rock,” I offered with a suppressed smile.

He threw his head back and laughed, flashing his white teeth. “Touché. At least you admitted I’m pretty. That’ll keep me warm at night.”

My cheeks warmed and I looked at my feet. Blushing around Hunter was not something I did. I didn’t know what was wrong with me.

“Listen, I’ve got to get this bull back to his pen and get ready for the fair’s opening ceremony,” he said, his eyes never leaving my face. “See you later, Char?”

I nodded. “Yes. And then we’re watching our first movie tonight.”

It was the official return of our movie night. I’d missed them desperately. If there was one thing that could chase away the awkwardness of seeing Hunter again, it was the continuation of our weekly movie nights. After that, everything would fall into place.

“Wouldn’t miss it for anything.” Hunter shot me one last lingering smile and then waved goodbye to the other girls.

We watched him leave and I was pretty sure every single one of us were appreciating the tightness of his jeans. Sarah especially, because when I glanced over at her, she was rubbing her lips together and staring at him as if he were a slice of chocolate cream pie. I had to shake my head to loosen the strange surges of female hormones grabbing ahold of me. If I wanted to stare at a cowboy, there were plenty more around here who weren’t my best friend.

“Guys, I got to get to work before my mom calls the national guard to bring me in,” I said, glancing down at the time on my phone. “You can check out the boys later.”

Lexi sighed dreamily beside me, as if she hadn’t heard me. “Did you see those cowboys? I mean, did you really see them? Those boots. Those rugged muscles.”

“Or those jeans?” Beth giggled. “I think I’m in love. Every man should own a pair. They’re the only things worth distracting me from my video games.”

Sarah tossed her hair one last time and threw me a smile that hinted at nastiness. “You know, Lottie, I’m not sure how you do it. If I had a best friend who looked like that, I’d have a hard time not falling for him. Hunter’s delicious. You sure do know how to pick them.”

Dread cast a shadow over my head as Sarah’s lips twisted into a scheming smile. I wasn’t sure what her plans were for Hunter, but the last thing he needed after moving back to Rock Valley was to become another victim of Sarah Claiborne.

And the truth was, I wasn’t competition when it came to dating Hunter. He and I had a pact. We’d set it back in seventh grade. Never reveal the top-secret location of our hangout. Always make up after a fight. And never ever fall for each other. If we followed that, we’d never hurt our friendship. It was an unbreakable agreement.

“You’re delusional,” I told her with a nervous laugh. “Those boys with their tight jeans are going to your head.”

Lexi and Beth snorted with laughter, but Sarah shot me one last superior smile before turning on her heels to march away. Even as she disappeared from view, her words flitted around my head like bees, resisting my attempts to swat them away.

No, I would not be falling for Hunter. He knew the rules. So did I.

My best friend was back, and nothing was going to change between us. One way or another, I’d find a way to get my life back to normal.

Even if I had to fight a bull to make sure it happened.

Or, every mean girl at Rock Valley High.

Chapter Two

It was the shift that was going to break me.

Normally, working in my parents’ diner wasn’t the end of the world. I’d sling a few meals, wipe a few tables, and be done with it. But it seemed like this Sunday, every crazy family in Rock Valley was eating here. I’d already had to change one guy’s order three times because he couldn’t commit to a single meal. Another table had three kids throwing food like it was confetti. And finally, there was the table of freeloaders currently flagging me down as I ran to grab a broom.

“Hey, Charlotte, can I get another one of those waffles?” Beth asked, waving her hand in the air as she sat across from Lexi in the booth typically reserved for my older sister, Mandy, and me.

I sighed and tightened my ponytail. Thankfully, my shift was pretty much over and the next waitress had already clocked in. Grabbing a waffle from Mom’s newest batch in the kitchen, I hurried over to the booth and slid it onto the table.

“I thought you guys had better things to do today than hang around the diner,” I said, eyeing them both sternly. “At this rate, our sisters might think we’re becoming actual friends.”

“Nah.” Lexi snatched a piece of the waffle, uttered a moan, and crossed her eyes as she bit into it. “If they’re going to force us to be friends, we’re not going to pass up the perks. My mom is a horrible cook. Yours rocks.”

I raised my eyebrow at Beth, and she shrugged with a cheek stuffed full of waffle. “I never say no to free food that didn’t come from the freezer section.”

The only thing I could do was hope they didn’t stick around all day. I had plans. After the opening ceremony of the fair today, Hunter and I were going to catch up on a year’s worth of best friend activities. I was thinking of resurrecting movie night with an obscene amount of sugar. That sounded perfect. A couple hours together and whatever awkward feelings I’d had this morning at the arena would be gone.