Hot Ryder

<p><strong>Austin:</strong></p><p> </p><p>A rodeo a ranch and a roaring crowd. Those three things have been my entire life everyday for the past five years.</p><p> </p><p>My rise to the top as a competitive bronc rider has been everything I could have ever hoped for. Yet something — or rather someone — is still missing from my life.</p><p> </p><p>My former best friend Brendan Watts should have been by my side every step of the way these past years. But I pushed him away and right out of my life with everything I had.</p><p> </p><p>Now fate — and the Katoka Hill's rodeo competition — has brought Brendan back into my life. Yet gone are the easy smiles and laughter he and I used to share.</p><p> </p><p>Instead each time we talk Brendan is standoff-ish surly and stubborn. And half the time he looks as though he'd rather punch me than spend another minute in my presence.</p><p> </p><p>The rift between us is my fault but I'm determined to bridge it. </p><p> </p><p>So no matter what <em>I'm not giving up on Brendan without a fight.</em></p><p> </p><p><strong>Brendan:</strong></p><p> </p><p>From the moment I met Austin I was in love with him. But for the longest time I was too afraid to admit it.</p><p> </p><p>Even so there was never a doubt in my mind that my best friend and I would be in each others lives forever.</p><p> </p><p><em>That was five years ago. </em></p><p> </p><p>One ill-fated kiss — and five years later — I am much older and wiser.</p><p> </p><p>So I will not let Austin Ryder distract me from doing my job reporting on the Katoka Hills annual rodeo event.</p><p> </p><p>Problem is Austin also happens to be one of the rodeo riders I'm supposed to interview while I'm here.</p><p> </p><p>Still I'm going to do everything I can to keep my distance come what may.</p><p> </p><p>Cause as far as I'm concerned we're both better off not being in each other's lives.</p><p> </p><p><strong><em>Hot Ryder is a part of the 'Love On Ryder Ranch' series but can be read as a standalone.</em></strong> </p>