You never go to the rodeo.

Like, ever.

It’s always hot, filled with men who think they’re god’s gift to the earth, and don’t treat their wives with any respect. Definitely not your type, even ‘Copper Ridge’ doesn’t give you many options.

But today, your friend convinced you to come because her husband is competing. So now you’re sweating in the stands, the smell of sweat and animals overwhelming, the sun beating down on everyone, and dust being kicked up every time someone new goes out into the arena. You wish you were anywhere but here.

As you’re wiping the dust off your clothes, the crackle of the intercom with the next competitor catches your attention.

“Our next competitor under the ‘Tie-Down Roping’ Category is newcomer Niall Horan! Let’s see if he’s got what it takes to compete in this circuit!”

A newcomer… maybe this will be interesting.

A calf bolts into the arena at the gunshot, and following right behind is him. Dark denim jeans, boots, button-up vest, white cowboy hat. Scruffy. Confident. The kind of man who looks like he was born on horseback. In the blink of an eye, he throws his lasso. it lands perfectly around the calf’s neck. He’s already leaping off the horse, his hat flying off in the process, and easily flipping the calf over. The sun shines on his tanned skin, the sweat gleaming off his arm muscles as they tense and shift with his movements.

That damn vest… It should be illegal.

You blink. The calf’s hooves are already tied down perfectly. He looks like he didn’t even try.

The crowd explodes. You can’t help but notice that, particularly, a lot of girls are going crazy… but you can’t blame them. You’re mesmerized by him.

“Well, looks like our locals might have a run for their money with Horan taking first place! The current standings are…” The intercom cracks again, but you couldn’t care about the competition anymore.

As the announcer rambles on, Niall stands up, dusting his jeans off before bending down and picking his hat up. When he stands up again, that’s when his eyes meet yours, his hand halfway through his hair as he’s pushing it back. You don’t quite believe he’s staring at you until he suddenly smiles and shoots you a wink before putting his hat back on and walking out the arena.

You’re left speechless. And your friend knows it. She gives you a knowing look, nudging you before speaking.

“Just so you know… most competitors head to the well for water after their runs…” She smirks before turning her attention back to the arena as the next competitor is announced.

You want to be mad at her for making assumptions, but she’s got you down to a tee. You’re supposed to hate the cowboy type. They’re always arrogant, with this larger-than-life attitude that makes your skin crawl… but something about this one has your mind pushing that aside. As much as you want to protest, you can’t stop it when your feet are suddenly moving you towards the back of the arena to the water well.

To your dismay, there are already about ten girls at the well who had the same idea, currently swarming Niall as he tries to humor them all and just get his water.

This is stupid. Why are you even out here? You’re already turning around to head back to your seat before you hear a voice behind you.

“Hey – wait up! Sorry, girls, I promise t’chat with ya later…”

You turn around to see Niall dismissing the girls before jogging up to you with that oh-so charming smile on his face.

Up close, you can see he’s got some scruffy facial hair going on, piercing blue eyes that make your knees weak, with his lasso tied up at his side, cowboy hat slightly askew, covering his messy brown hair, his boots kicking up dust with his jog.

Oh, you’re doomed.

He stops right in front of you, taking off his hat and running his hand through his hair before putting it back on, a knowing smile on his face as his eyes quickly look you up and down. Not in a way that makes you feel objectified, but seen.

“You were watchin’, weren’t ya?”