All I See Is You

27. Am I Okay?

Chapter twenty-seven

Am I Okay?

Quinn

“ D id I…did I do something wrong?” I asked, watching Hux walk away and disappear into the tide of people. I glanced at Whit, who looked just as confused as I felt—her brows furrowed and a frown scrunching up her face.

What had happened? He was doing so good. Great, even. At least, he seemed like it. What had I missed, or not noticed sooner?

Every inch of me screamed to go after him, but Mister Mooney’s warm, heavy hand on my shoulder kept me rooted to my seat. “You didn’t do anythin’ wrong, Miss Quinn. Some demons you just gotta fight alone.”

I chewed on my bottom lip, shifting my focus between where Hux had just gone and Mister Mooney. “I hate that,” I admitted with a huff.

His gaze turned contemplative as he looked off in the distance and nodded. “Yeah, but I wouldn’t worry about him too much. Kid’s tough as nails.”

Something about Mister Mooney’s words eased some of the worry knotted in my chest. Not much, but it was enough to keep me from running after Hux.

My heart hurt at the thought of him going through this alone. He’d come here because of me. Because he wanted to show me this world. This part of him. And even though Mister Mooney’s logic made sense, I still felt like I could—should be doing more to help than sitting here.

I cast my gaze to Whit once more, sharing a silent what-do-you-think look with her. Her lips tugged upward into a soft, hopeful smile. “Give him some time, Quinnie,” she whispered, reaching over to squeeze my hand gently.

With a sigh, I set my sights forward on the arena. Mister Mooney explained the ins and outs of bull riding as they went one by one through the lineup of contestants. Watching them compete was equally as terrifying as it was magnificent. How they rode these gargantuan animals and didn’t die was no small miracle. But not only that, they did it with such ease and grace. It was baffling.

Of the eight riders who competed, only three lasted the full eight seconds. Three impressive rides, but the highest score went to a cowboy by the name of Ryder Wright—yes, you read that right. Whit and I giggled like school girls at that wonderful innuendo of a name.

Mister Mooney went on to explain that his son, Cash, and Ryder were best friends, and that Ryder was a potential candidate for NFR this year, which was, I guess, the “ big daddy rodeo of all rodeos” . His words. An annual ten day rodeo for the top fifteen competitors in each event.

Hux had gone to that. And won. Not once, but twice. He’d been working on a third.

“Alright, Miss Quinn,” Mister Mooney said as the commentator announced the end of the rodeo. “Let’s go find your cowboy.”

My cowboy.

Butterflies fluttered against my ribcage at that.

The rodeo erupted into chaos as people filed out of their seats and down the main aisleway. We followed the throng, my heart thumping faster and faster in my chest. I wondered what state Hux would be in. If he’d still be open and happy like earlier, or as closed off and shut down as when he’d left me.

As I followed the throng of people and made my way down the aisle into the main rodeo grounds, my gaze settled on a section flurrying with excitement. My heart skipped a beat. Two, three as I got my first glimpse of Hux.

I’d expected—well, I don’t honestly know what I’d been expecting, but certainly not this. Not him smiling and laughing and conversing with fans. My boots felt like they’d been filled with cement, keeping me rooted to my place. For a long moment, all I could do was watch. Watch as fan after fan walked up to either say hi to him or ask for a photo or autograph. He never said no. Never looked annoyed.

“Holy shit,” Whit gasped, “He’s like a really big deal.”

Mister Mooney let out an appreciative huff. “You don’t become a two time World Champion by bein’ mediocre, miss.”

I liked Mister Mooney, he was brusque and the type to not sugar coat things, but would tell you like it was. He reminded me of Hux.

The weight of his hand rested on my shoulder. “Told ya he’d be okay.”

I nodded, awe replacing any of the worry left in me. “I shouldn’t have doubted you,” I replied, offering him a soft smile.

He winked and nodded toward Hux and Cash, who stood a few feet away, talking to two other rodeo contestants. “Come on, now.”

I was only a few feet away from him when a family approached Hux—well, approached was a nice way of putting it. The couple had tried and failed to hold back their kid—couldn’t be older than nine or so—as he barreled for Hux. Their younger daughter hung back though, too shy to follow her brother.

“Mister Lane! Mister Lane! Can I get your autograph?” The little boy all but bounced from foot to foot as he came to a stop before Hux. And Hux, the gruff, shut off cowboy I’d come to know, crouched down before the kid and aimed a grin in his direction. “Sure, kid. Where do ya want it on?”

“My hat!” the kid exclaimed. “Can you sign my hat?” As the kid thrust his cowboy hat into Hux’s hands, I noticed the sharpie Hux held. I was only a few steps away and saw his immaculate signature as he put it on the bottom of the brim of the kid’s hat.

“You were my favorite bull rider. I wanna be like you one day.”

Hux chuckled, the sound soft and deep. He reached out and tentatively placed the hat on the kid’s head. It took a moment, and a minor adjustment from his mom, who pushed him more into Hux’s line of fire. “Can you promise me something…what’s your name?” Hux asked, standing up once more.

“My name’s Hayden, sir!”

“Hayden, I don’t want you to be just like me, I want you to be better. I want you to be the best version of you that you can possibly be. You do that, and you’ll be just fine.”

If my ovaries weren’t already a puddle of mush, they were now. Hot, brave, and good with kids?

“Well, that was just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” Whit squealed under her breath.

I tried and failed to bite back a grin, then proceeded to wait until the family had said their goodbyes to Hux before stepping forward and saying, “Hey, cowboy. Have a minute for your biggest fan?”

Recognition rippled through him, a broad, brilliant smile coming to his lips. It was a miracle my heart didn’t beat right out of my chest with how fast and hard it thumped.

Holy God, he was gorgeous. And he was mine.

When he held his hand out, I reached for it easily, melting into him as he dragged me to his side and pressed his lips to the top of my head. Seeing him like this, so open and happy and carefree, it brought tears to my eyes. Tears I’m so glad he couldn’t see, because I didn’t want him to mistake them for sadness. I’d always been one of those happy criers. Honestly, just a crier in general. But most people didn’t understand how I could get so ridiculously happy that I’d make myself cry.

This was definitely one of those times.

“Sorry for leavin’, darlin’,” he murmured, quiet enough so only I could hear.

I kissed him, whispering back, “you don’t need to apologize.”

“Well, shit, man,” a cocky voice called out from a few feet away, dragging my attention. Cash Mooney’s million-dollar grin lit up his face, bright and luminescent like the sky on the fourth of July. “He didn't even compete and he’s gettin’ a winnin’ kiss. I wanna kiss from someone as pretty as you.”

Hux chuckled, but before he could even spout off some smart ass remark, I found myself meeting the handsome cowboy’s stare, saying, “I’m sure there’s a mirror in one of the bathrooms you could kiss if you’re feeling left out.”

Everyone got a kick out of that, especially the two cowboys closest to him, who burst into laughter. Well the shorter of the two did, a wide grinning pulling on his scarred face. The other, more stoic one let out a low chuckle, the ghost of a smile peaking through his harsh features, but the movements looked like they were foreign to him. I recognized the first as the bull rider who won—Ryder Wright. The other was Cash’s partner in his timed event of team roping. I couldn't remember his name though.

“Damn, sweetheart,” Cash chuckled, lowering the obnoxious rose gold sunglasses he wore to peg me with his intense hazel gaze. “Cuttin’ me down twice in one night?”

I laughed. “If anything I gave you a compliment. Let’s be honest, you’re the prettiest person here.”

His grin pulled wide. “Aw, shucks. You’re makin’ me blush now.”

Hux huffed at my side, drawing me in closer to him. “Don’t make his head any bigger than it already is.”

I grinned, reveling in the feel of Hux. I’d never thought of myself as a touchy person, especially because of my time with Devin, but turns out I loved it. Craved it. Needed it. Or maybe it was just Hux I needed. He talked about me having magic, but I think he had a magic all his own.

“And who is this pretty little lady?” Cash’s voice dragged me from my reverie.

Oh my God, I’d completely forgotten about her. Which sounded horrible, I know, but she was being so quiet compared to her normal self, and well, I’d been distracted with Hux.

Gaze flicking between him and my best friend, I said quickly, “This is Whit, my bestie. Whit, this is Cash Mooney.”

Cash’s smile turned even brighter—if that was even possible—as he took Whit in. He stepped forward and reached out to grab her hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it. “Whit, huh? Thank God, cuz my wits abandoned me the minute I saw your beautiful face.”

Chaos ensued then.

Ryder and Hux both burst into fits of laughter. Even the tall cowboy cracked a smile, his shoulders rising and falling in silent mirth. Mr. Mooney appeared to have choked on his own spit and dissolved into a fit of coughing.

I couldn’t help but smile even as I rolled my eyes. God, that was the most cheesy, corny, yet clever thing I’d ever heard.

There was no doubt about it. Cash Mooney was terrible. Terribly charming. Terribly attractive and terribly dangerous. He was the epitome of a playboy. A cowboy casanova. And a walking red flag if there ever was one.

“Where’d you get that shit,” Mister Mooney replied, having recovered enough from his coughing fit to speak. “Outta a Cracker Jack box?”

Cash didn’t even have the sense to blush. He probably didn’t even know how to. He was so ridiculously confident. Just like Whit.

“Well, you sure know how to charm a girl, don’t you?” she replied just as confidently, grinning right back at him.

If she hadn't come here with Travis, the two would make a fantastic pair. Her and Cash together could be trouble. I mean, he was gorgeous, but he had heartbreak written in bright neon letters hanging above his head, along with approximately eight million red flags.

Cash’s lips tugged into a lopsided grin. “Come on out with us tonight and I’ll show you a real good time.”

His best friend, Ryder, smacked him across the chest, breaking the moment. “You got a girlfriend, remember?”

Cash shook his head, the smile on his mouth faltering as if he’d just been shaken awake out of a daydream or daze. “I know,” he replied, his voice holding a mock defensiveness as he clapped a hand over his heart. “I ain’t plannin’ on doin’ anythin’. I am a gentleman, after all.”

His father snorted, falling into another coughing fit, while everyone else had a good laugh.

The tall cowboy spoke this time, his voice low and deep. “The only thing you are is an idiot.” His words were harsh, but there was warmth swirling in his bright jade eyes.

Cash shook his head before sticking his nose up in the air, giving off the facade that he was offended. Honestly, I doubted he got offended or embarrassed, like, ever. “Y’all are assholes,” he huffed.

Hux chuckled. “Takes one to know one, Mooney.”

Cash shrugged and then clapped his hands, going so far as to rub them together as he said, “So, what’s the plan? We goin’ out and celebratin’ tonight or what?”

His friends and dad both grumbled their agreement amongst themselves before Cash aimed his gaze mine, Whit, and Hux’s way.

“What about y’all?” he asked, clapping Hux on the shoulder hard enough that I felt it reverberate through me.

Hux just laughed. A deep, genuine sound that made my heart flutter in my chest like butterfly wings. He’d hardly even flinched, which absolutely shocked me. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know he didn’t like people unexpectedly touching him. Crazy what a little bit of closure could do to his confidence.

“What’dya say, darlin’?” he murmured in my ear.

Shivers danced up and down my spine at the feeling of his scruff scraping against my skin. God, he was so incredibly hot.

I squeezed my arm around him just a little tighter, leaning further into his embrace. “I’m down,” I replied, before glancing at Whit. “You coming too?”

Her grin and eyes glimmered with mischief. “Duh.”

D eciding to go out might not have been a good idea.

“Are you sure you want to be here?” I asked Whit as we followed our new group of friends toward the main bar of Roughie's, a little honky tonk in town that hadn’t been open for very long. It was everything I envisioned when I thought of a cowboy bar. Cool rodeo posters, a whole western aesthetic complete with wagon wheels, saw dust on the floor, and lots and lots of cowboy boots and hats, and a massive dance floor. They even had a mechanical bull that a large number of people stood around, cheering on whoever rode.

Hux and Cash walked together, and even though I doubt Cash noticed the tension in Hux, I did. He hid it well, but his shoulders were stiff, rigid, his back ram-rod straight. Worry wriggled like a worm on a hook in my stomach. I’d check on him as soon as we got settled and the two of us had a moment alone.

Despite her little argument with Travis, Whit still seemed to be in exceptionally high spirits. She flashed me a warm grin. “Of course, I want to be here. A night with my bestie, new friends, and dancing…what more could a girl want? Now, all I need is someone to buy me drinks.”

I laughed. “I’m sure Cash would be more than happy to.”

She grinned, her gaze flicking to him for a moment. “He’s hot as fuck, but I think that’s a ride that I’m not ready for.”

“So what are you gonna do about you and Travis?”

“I don’t know. We aren’t a couple. I mean, he’s cute and sweet, but I don’t like sore losers, and I’m not down for someone trying to control what I do. The way I see it, he's free to do whatever he wants and so am I. And as far as tonight goes, I don’t want to hear another word about him.” She pushed her long waves over her shoulders as we came to a stop at a table that Hux, Cash, and the others had settled around.

“Fair enough.”

Drinks were ordered—well, shots. Cash demanded that everyone had to have one, save for the tall cowboy. Cash hadn’t even tried to get him to drink. Despite the fact he completely fit in looks wise here, he stuck out like a sore thumb. He kept quiet, checking his phone every now and then while watching the crowd. When his appraising jade gaze met mine I offered him a soft smile. He only tipped his hat in response before scanning the room once more.

I turned to Hux, who stood beside me, and leaned into him, placing a hand on his forearm that was rested on the table. “Hey, do you know who the other cowboy with Cash and Ryder is?” I asked quietly.

“That’s Maverick Holstrom. Cash’s cousin. They’re more like brothers though.”

“How come he doesn’t drink?”

“He ain’t the drinkin’ kind. Or the talkin’ kind really.”

“Why?”

“Just never has been.”

“Must take a lot of patience for him to come out and be sober,” I mused.

“Yeah, let alone deal with Cash. Don’t think there’s a more patient man on the earth.”

I glanced at the cowboy once more, but he was busy scanning the room as if looking for a potential threat. I turned back to Hux again. “How’re you doing, cowboy?” I asked quiet enough for hopefully only him to hear, but it was hard to whisper over the loud Country music.

He grabbed my hand and squeezed gently. “Some liquid courage will help,” he replied back. “But overall, I’m good. Really good.”

Pressing a soft kiss to his cheek, I whispered in his ear, “Good.”