Chapter Text
Makayla Asher, or just Kayla as she liked to be called, was born and raised in the mountains of Montana. She was born into a family of all brothers, five if you’re counting, and six ranch dogs. Her daddy, Moony Asher was the second biggest bull breeder in the whole state.
“That sure is a good one.” He would always say as he wiped the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve. “He’ll go far.”
Her mother, Monica Gail Asher, can’t forget the Gail, she’d always tsk her tongue and politely correct you on your mistake. “My name is Monica Gail,” she would say in her sweet tea tone of hers. “Now you be a dear and remember that for next time.”
Kayla liked to think she took after her mother. She might be petite and quiet now but damn was she the best barrel racer all of Montana had seen back in her days. Their basement walls were lined with trophies and medals she had won over the years. And in her mother’s footsteps, Kayla became a barrel racer too.
Her daddy had given her a filly named Celeste when Kayla was three and the filly was three weeks old. The two grew up together and when Celeste was old enough to be ridden Kayla spent every day training and practicing. Now Kayla was 22. Celeste was an old lady so she was only used for teaching young children how to ride. Kayla got a new mare named Harlot that she trained herself and competed with. This Summer would be her first professional barrel race. Hundreds of racers from around the country were coming into Montana to compete. Kayla had a reputation in her state, but she was scared of the racers coming into from Texas and Kentucky.
“Just give it your best shot, Bee.” Kayla’s father took Harlot’s lead line from her and led the red mare into her stall. “Now, I know you’re scared, but remember, your mother was scared during her first competition but she had a-“
“Yes Daddy I know,” Kayla cut him off with a laugh. “She had your eyes to look into in the crowd and that’s how she won her first professional race.”
Her father smiled and winked with a nod. “Maybe you’ll find a pair of kind eyes in the crowd this time.”
Kayla shook her head as she hung Harlot’s bridle beside her stall. “I broke up with Jake only three months ago, it’s too soon to move on. Besides,” she leaned on the door and frowned at her dad. “Weren’t it you that told me not to date before a big competition?”
Her father pushed the brim of his hat up and chuckled. “I’m just saying maybe you’ll find someone else you can have little competitions with. I’ve been missing your mischievous side.”
“It kills mom though,” Kayla jumped over the stall door and they made their way to the ranch’s main house. “She says I’m too reckless when it comes to friendly competition.”
Her father shrugged with a frown. “Well, she gets as nervous as a candle during a whistling competition.” he chuckled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “You just don’t pay any mind to what she says. A little competition never hurt nobody.”
Breakfast was displayed on the table when they got to the house. Kayla’s five brothers had already eaten and were out in the pastures rounding up cattle.
“Your brothers have already eaten and fled.” her mother told them as they sat to eat. “I told them to wait on y’all but,” she sighed, a glint of sadness in her eyes. “You know how Logan gets.”
Logan was the eldest of the brothers, he was 32 and in line to inherit the ranch after their father. He was an asshole in Kayla’s exact words, always acting as if he ran the ranch already. Bossing people around, firing and hiring left and right. Kayla despised going on any rides or trips with him. Their personalities clashed and there always was a fight, so she wasn’t too upset about missing breakfast with them. Anyways, she was the baby of the household, she enjoyed her alone time with her parents.
“You need to eat more than that.” her mother exclaimed as she piled more sausages onto Kayla’s plate. “You have a competition this afternoon.”
Kayla pushed the plate of sausages away and tried to not choke on her food. “I’m alright Mama, I’ve gotten enough food, I don’t wanna be too full during practice after.”
Her father nodded at her in approval and stood to help clean up the dishes. “Don’t mind your mother,” he said with a wink and a quick pat on her mother’s butt. “She’s just been not getting enough sleep lately.”
Makayla furrowed her brow in concern then scowled with disgust. “Ew, gross Dad. I’m going to get Harlot ready now.” She hugged her parents goodbye and then sped off to the stables again.
She liked to catch Harlot from the fields before breakfast so she could rest in her sheltered stall before practice. She was a fiery spirit and was spoiled rotten. Though, she was a red mare so what else was there to expect. “Hey pretty Lady,” Kayla cooed at Harlot. “I got you away from those big scary bulls in time today, didn’t I?” Harlot watched Kayla’s every move with her large black eyes. “Assholes, aren’t they?” Kayla chuckled to herself and led Harlot out and into one of the ranch’s covered arenas. She mounted quickly and began her practice session.
“Kayla!”
Kayla looked over and rolled her eyes as Logan headed her way. They had made it to the competition arena and she was already shaking like a leaf.
“15 seconds on a small barrel pattern earlier?” Logan frowned at her deeply.
“Oh shut up, as if you could do any better.”
“That’s a god awful time, Makayla.” Logan pushed the brim of his hat up and crossed his arms. “If you’re thinking about making it onto the podium at all tonight you better lower that number.”
Kayla flipped him off as their parents walked up. “Shut up, Logan, why don’t you go fire some useful people, huh?”
“Oh my sweet Makayla.” Her mother pulled her into a tight hug. “Please be careful, remember to check your gear and tack before entering. Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
“Ma, Ma I’m okay.” Kayla laughed, but her hands were shaking and her stomach was in a knot. “Just in and out.”
Her father walked up to her and pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m so proud of you, Bee. Remember to breathe, don’t over turn, if you feel yourself overturning though, it’s okay. It’s your first time.”
Kayla nodded and sucked in a shaky breath. “Thanks, guys. I think it’s time for me to get in line.”
“Makayla!” her dad called after her. “Maybe when you’re done you can go talk to them bull riders that are here. They’re lingering outside with their bulls.”
Kayla grinned and rolled her eyes as she quickly made her way to the lineup.
The lights so were bright. She could barely see past the entrance into the arena. Harlot was digging at the ground with her front hooves.
She was ready to go.
She looked at the scoreboard and saw the person before her got 14.2 seconds. “Just breathe, Kayla.” she whispered to herself as she restrained Harlot from jumping into the arena too soon. “Just in and out.”
The buzzer rang and she released Harlot before the stormed into the arena. Screams surrounded her but the pounding in her ears drowned them out. She stared the first barrel down.
Perfect.
She let Harlot go down the straight to the next barrel. She saw a blur in the corner of her right eyes but she ignored it.
Around the second barrel.
It tipped slightly but centered itself quickly after. The ringing in her ears died down suddenly and she found herself running straight towards a huge bull.
“The fuck?” Kayla screamed as she tried to reign Harlot to a sudden stop but Harlot panicked. She reared up screeching and twisted her body around as she fell.
Down… down… crushing Kayla beneath her.
Kayla felt her ribs crack as the wind was knocked out of her lungs. The stadium lights got blurry and she was slowly engulfed in the darkness.