The cords in his neck stiffened, aggravating his shoulder injury.
“Are you kidding me?” Chase straightened his spine and turned to confront her, immediately regretting the action when she lifted her face to his. She tucked a long strand of honey-blond hair behind one ear and narrowed her gaze.
“Geesh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to encroach on your armrest space.” Nola’s sarcastic tone was all too evident. “I’ll try to be more careful next time.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Chase growled through clenched teeth, more frustrated than angry, thanks to the glimpse of bare thigh he’d just caught. “I’m talking about you—here—next to me—on this plane.”
“Relax, Chase. We’re flying home together—nothing more.” Nola followed his eyes and tugged on her skirt hem.
“KWTT must really want this story if they’re willing to upgrade you to first class. But let’s get things straight—regardless of how nicely you ask, I’m not giving you an interview.”
“I’m not asking for one.” Nola fastened her seat belt and removed her iPad from her bag, paying Chase no further attention.
“No?” The porcelain glow of her skin caused Chase’s fingers to ache, wanting to feel the softness of her cheek. He mentally kicked himself for allowing her presence to upset him. “You always look this stunning at two o’clock in the morning? Traveling in a skirt, high heels and full makeup?”
“You think I look stunning?” Nola glanced sideways at him. “Thank you...I think.”
As if she didn’t know how beautiful she was. Nola West was the last thing Chase needed right now. The past couple days had been bad enough, and now he had to endure four hours on a plane next to the woman he’d thought about almost daily since they’d met. It didn’t help that her lips glimmered with newly applied gloss, which he thought definitely needed to be kissed off. Chase groaned inwardly.
“I’m willing to bet George has a handheld camera and microphone pack in his carry-on in case you snag an interview when we get off the plane.”
“We cover the news.” Nola didn’t look at him, which only confirmed he was right. “We always travel prepared.”
“Why’d you leave George in business class?” This was the first time he’d seen Nola without her ever-present cameraman sidekick. “Shame on you, and shame on the studio for not upgrading him, too.”
“You’re cranky and full of assumptions tonight, aren’t you?” Nola glanced at him, one perfectly groomed brow arched higher than Chase would have thought possible.
“Not that I would expect you to notice, but there’s a woman traveling with George and me on this trip. Unbeknownst to the studio, he brought his wife along—which we’d like to keep secret, if you don’t mind. He wasn’t about to upgrade his ticket to first class and leave her back there. Some people think of others, not just themselves.”
Chase gripped his thighs. Was this a jab at him? Just because he was goal oriented didn’t mean he was selfish. He fought to ignore Nola’s comment. Getting into a war of words with her wouldn’t make the flight any easier.
“I’d ask why you’re not staying until the end of the competition, but I already know the answer. You’re focused on my failure.”
“You didn’t fail, Chase.” Nola huffed in the same exasperated tone Chase’s mother used when her grandkids acted up. “You had a bad night. It happens to the best of them. You’re right—I was in Vegas to cover you for the local news, and I’m leaving because you are.”
“I can see the headline now.” Chase sagged into the seat. “Hometown Hero Humiliated at National Finals Rodeo.” He’d been pegged to win the World All-Around Champion Cowboy title.
“Was this a pity party? Because I forgot to bring a gift.” Nola sighed. “It’s not the end of the world. You’ve known me for a while now. Have I ever cast you in a bad light? No, I haven’t. I’ve always covered you and your family in a respectful way. Besides, I can spin the story so it doesn’t look as bad as it really is. Wait—I didn’t mean it like that.”
Nola reached for his arm but he shook her off. He didn’t want anyone’s pity. “I know exactly what you meant.”
Chase watched the lights of the Vegas strip fade as the plane lifted off. He was heading home a failure, and no matter how Nola spun the story, it wouldn’t change the fact that he’d blown it. His entire hometown of Ramblewood, Texas, had counted on him to bring home the coveted championship belt buckle. And not only had he not won, but he also had left the competition early. He could thank his stubbornness for leading him straight to a disastrous finish on day two. Chase had known when he’d pulled the ligaments in his shoulder two weeks earlier that he should have bowed out of the competition. But too many people had invested in him, and he’d refused to let them down. His doctors had cautioned him that one more injury could end his career. And yesterday’s ride had probably done just that.
His older brother, Shane, hadn’t helped matters by constantly pushing Chase into the spotlight. The World All-Around title had been Shane’s dream, but he’d given up his own chance to compete so he could devote more time to his son’s rodeo schedule. In the end, Chase could’ve said no, but he hadn’t, and there was no one to blame except himself.
Chase and Shane jointly owned the state-of-the-art Ride ’em High! Rodeo School. Having a world champion on the roster would’ve been great for business. Not that they were in need of more students; since their doors opened a few years ago, the school has been booked full every session. Chase felt as if he’d failed not only his family this week but his students, too.
As if things hadn’t been bad enough already, sitting next to Nola—as savvy as she was sexy—unnerved him more than the final seconds atop a bull before the chute gate swung open. Chase was determined not to let her get the better of him.
“I spoke to your mom before she flew home yesterday,” Nola said. “Regardless of what happened in the competition, she’s really proud of you.”
“You interviewed my mom?” Chase shoved his hoodie back and faced her. Going after him for an interview was one thing—his family was another.
“Of course not.” Nola met his gaze, her annoyance evident. “I saw her in the lobby as she was leaving.”
The lengths reporters went to in order to get a story irritated Chase. But Nola’s pursuit tried his patience even more and he wasn’t sure why. “In other words, you were stalking me in the lobby—waiting for me to come down. I bet if I ask my mother, she’d confirm that George was by your side.”
“He was.” Nola ran her palms slowly down the front of her skirt. “And I was waiting for you, but it was out of concern. You took a hard hit out there. When you got injured, I genuinely cared.”
Nola’s words softened with her admission. Chase swallowed hard, afraid he’d say too much. “The only thing injured is my pride,” Chase lied and turned back to the window. “Thank you for your concern.”
“Don’t mention it.” The natural lilt of her voice returned. “Your mom is really excited about Christmas this year. All the grandkids must be getting big. I haven’t seen them in a year, at least. I bet your house is packed over the holidays.”
There lay the other reason Chase hated to go home. He’d considered changing his flight to meet up with some of his friends in Cancun, but the thought had been short-lived. Once his mother had gotten wind of it she’d threatened to tan his hide. In the Langtry household, Christmastime was family time. Every year his mother would decorate the ranch from the entrance to the stables in a display guaranteed to delight the electric