"You still talkin' to me?" I asked.
The kid gave me a tired look. "No. I fucking hate your guts or something. Yeah, I'm talking, and I'm tellin' ya to get your ass to your chute!"
"Rope," Cody ordered, thrusting out her hand.
"I need my glove," I realized.
"Then get that, and give me your rope!" she snapped. "J.D., you're winning today. That's part of the plan, right?"
"Wait, there's a plan?" Kaleb asked.
"Yeah, to win," I told him even as I pushed past him to grab the gear I'd left on the ground when Austin had started pushing Cody around.
But I wasn't sure I was gonna win. If I was honest, I hurt. My ribs were still weak, and my abs had been cut up by that damned doctor. Sure, I was fine for most things, but bull riding was not most things. Then again, I didn't feel like being honest today. Nope, I'd already met my quota with that kiss I'd given Tanner.
"Here," I told Cody as I passed over my rope. "Make sure that goes on Speed Bump."
She nodded like some kind of soldier on a mission. "Yes, sir!"
I worried about getting my glove taped on and my helmet in place. I couldn't do another concussion. Doc said that if I did, I might stop remembering at all after that. My brain was just a little too close to being scrambled eggs as it was.
But I'd drawn the number two bull of the series. This, right here, was my big chance to make things right with both Tanner and Cody. I had to ride this one, and I needed to ride him hard so I could end up on that bullpen at the end of the night and tell the world how it really was.
I made it to my chute in time to see Cody climbing across. The rope was on. The riders were going out, and the score board was filled up. This shit was moving fast tonight, but I was ok with that. I needed the win.
Just this bull. Just this time.
Speed Bump was lounging in the chute, ignoring everything that was going on around him. His sooty head and rusty back made him stand out on the circuit. His manners in the chute were calm and collected - thankfully.
"Get that shit tight!" I snapped at Cody.
She didn't bother replying, just pulled the tail of my rope harder. This was my real test. I wouldn't tell Cody, but I needed to make sure I could strap in good, because if that was too much, then I wouldn't be riding at all this weekend, and that didn't work for my plan.
I also didn't want to spend more time in a hospital, so I sure as shit hoped this worked.
I dragged my glove down the rope hard. Cody didn't budge. She held, her shins braced up against the gate panel, so I did it again. My goal was to pull hard enough to make her tip a bit. That would be the point where I'd know if my broken body could fucking do this shit.
"J.D., it's warm," she snapped.
"Hush," I grumbled, then yanked again.
Finally, she tipped. Now, I was hoping real hard she'd gotten stronger lately, because this woman was making me work for it. But I didn't tell her that. Naw, I didn't need her worrying. Instead, I focused on my handle, listening as music blared out, letting me know someone else was getting their ride out of my way.
"Tail!" I ordered.
She leaned in, offering the end of the rope to me. I took it, laying the thing in my palm, then wrapped it around the back. I could probably go twice around, but should I? Would it be better to get bucked off or yanked around?
I knew Tanner was out there, and he'd save my ass, but I was tired as fuck of being saved. I was sick of hurting. I wanted thisride to work, which meant I had to trust myself a little, so I only wrapped it once. I wasn't gonna bother with no fancy wraps or shit. Nope, today was me against me. Nothing else.
"You're up!" the chute attendant announced.
I looked up at Cody. "You're the best rookie, girl. Kinda why I love ya, but get the fuck out of my way."
"Ride hard," she said as she stepped back to the safe side. First, I checked to make sure she was good. Next, I looked out at the arena, making sure Tanner was there and ready. Finally, I looked up at the scoreboard, surprised to see Jake and Ty tied for first place currently.
Then I yanked both feet off the pipes I was standing on, dropped down behind the hump on Speed Bump's back, and nodded for my gate.
The clank was loud, and this motherfuckin' piece of beef did just what he was known for: he went up. Way up. Fuck, he lunged so hard I felt the strain from my pinky down to my tailbone - and a grunt slipped out. Yeah, I was still tender, but too late to fuckin' worry 'bout it now.
