Word Count: 1,121 Enjoy :)

"Please don't tell anyone!" Was the first words that tumbled out of my lips once I was out of my short time of shock.

"Why wouldn't you want to say anything, Riley? This is amazing!" Zay said throwing his hands in the air.

"I don't want them to know I'm any different, Zay. Maya doesn't even know about this." I said sighing deeply.

"I will probably let it slip out of you don't," Zay said.

"NO! Promise me right here right now that you won't say one word about this." I said viciously, which is very un-Riley like.

"Ok how about we make a deal?" He said running his hands together.

"Ok what is it Zay?" I said exasperated.

"If you don't tell them before we leave Texas, I will give them a great Riley story." He said.

"That doesn't sound like a deal, more like blackmail." I said with a short laugh.

"Well okay. I just think that nothing will change because of this, and I think the rest of us would like to know," Zay said walking backwards, "Now I gotta help Mr. Rodeo star over here before her rides that bull."

"Tell him I said be extra careful." I said walking off in the opposite direction.

"Yes, Sarah." He said with a sly wink.

I sighed heavily and rolled my eyes. I'm gonna pay for letting this one slip up happen. I'm utterly pissed at Zay, but the other half of knows what's right... I ran a hand through my hair and started to put Violet in her trailer. I texted Toby to keep and eye on her while I support Lucas...

I quickly went to the bathroom and changed into a pair of cut off shorts and a flannel. I quickly put my hair in pig tails and ran to find Maya.

Although I'm pissed at her too; I can't let her know it. Even though Lucas and I were never official, I think she knows that I like him; but I feel obligated to let her work out what ever feelings she has for him. Because come on, Lucas is amazing.

I walked out and found Maya talking to Lucas. I started to eavesdrop on them. Although I knew it wasn't morally right, I didn't really give one crap.

"Where's Riley?" I heard Lucas ask.

"I don't know. I think she's ignoring me." Maya said sadly.

"Maybe she saw that kiss." Lucas said in a hushed whisper.

"But-" is all I heard before Toby came over with a big hug, and talking my ear off... I couldn't hear them anymore.

"Okay Toby thank you for watching Vi for me." I said giving him a hug.

"No problem Riley. Now go be with, Howdy and Hart." He said pushing me to them.

"Oh Riley! Hey!" Maya said rushing up to me.

"Hey, Peaches, Cowboy." I said nodding towards Lucas and Maya.

"Hey are you mad at me? You haven't answered any of my texts." Maya said right of the bat.

"No. I just don't get good cell service." I said laughing. Well there's another lie.

"Ok good." She said sighing in relief.

"How you feeling about riding that bull Lucas?" I said cheerfully.

"Not that great. I just saw someone breaks the state record in barrel racing; I don't know if I can live up to that." He said humorously.

I laughed a nervous laugh.

"Anyways. What do y'all want to do afterwards?" I said stretching out the 'anyways'.

"I was thinking maybe we could go back to the ranch look at the horses again. Maybe let some of you city folk ride em'." Lucas said pushing my shoulder lightly..

Only if you knew.

"Yeah that sounds fun, you up for it Riles?" Maya said turning to me.

"Yeah awesome." I said kinda sarcastically.

"Hey Lucas! You're next division." Zay came patting his back and stalking off.

While we waited we saw some few adults ride some Bulls... Let's say. It didn't go well.

"Lucas you aren't doing that." Maya said harshly.

Maybe she does like him. Huh. Or maybe she just cares about him deeply. Yeah I mean I'm worried because I know what a bull can do.

"Take of that stupid cowboy outdo and let's get outta here." She said sternly.

"Maya what are you doing? This is one of his biggest dreams, and to make mends with other family's and his." I said calmly.

"If he dies, I don't I'd do." Maya said almost crying.

"I'm not going to die Maya. We said nothing about death." Lucas said gently while hugging her.

Well now I feel like crap... Keep it in Riles. Hold on.

"Okay I can't watch. I won't be there for this." Maya said running off to the far edge of the stadium.

"Riley can you stay I need you to watch." Lucas said grabbing my hand.

"Okay I will." I said but I pulled him somewhere a little more private.

"Okay don't let what Maya said get in your head. She's just afraid of losing people. Just hold on tight Lucas, go out there and be the hero I know you are. You can do this and don't let anyone tell you that you can't... I love you and want you to succeed." I said then giving him a hug and kissing his cheek. I grabbed his hand and started to walk off.

"Let's do this." I heard him whisper.

We got to the gate, and they set him up. Everyone but Maya was lined on the fence.

The announcer yelled some commentary out before they let him loose. My stomach was dropping. I know how dangerous this is but right now I'm praying that it's all going to be okay.

I heard the buzzer go off and they let him go. I was clapping. Everything seemed like it was going so slowly, but in reality it was over in almost a heartbeat... Soon as the bull threw him off I was almost over the gate.

Zay pulled me back down for the half second it took to round up the bull. After that I was immediately by Lucas's side.

"Lucas get up. I need you to be okay, please be okay." I said desperately.

"I stayed on for like 30 seconds," he groaned out in his half conscious state.

I took in a huge sigh of relief.

"I knew you could do it," I said almost out of breath.

"You did it. You did it!" Zay exclaimed. "You lasted 4 seconds."

That's when everything happened I gave him a quick hug before walking off in the other direction.

"Hey Riles can we talk?" Maya said.

"Sure what about?"

"Lucas."

IM SO SORRY! I have been so busy with softball and such that it's hard for me to keep up... I love you all very deeply and hope that you still want to read this. :)

~Maddie