"Only when you ride better than either man you were named for," he assured me. "And Cody? That was a damned good ride." And he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and turned me toward the big screen. "Let's see if the judges agree."
But my eyes jumped to the scoreboard, since the big screen was taking too long. There, I saw a whole fuckload of no-scores. Yeah, there were a few numbers out to the side, but alotfewer than I'd expected.
"Bad night?" I asked. "Oh, and what happened with Austin?"
"He pushed. Rhaven yelled to do it - which makes me think Deviant's got our backs - so Jorge did. Shit, if I'm honest, he was just the fastest, because I wanted to punch that prick."
"And you're ok?" I asked. "I mean, after this morning."
"Beautiful, I'm fine," he assured me, holding up his hand so I could see his knuckles. "Same shit as when they tried to jumpyou. I've taken them down before. I just didn't block the fucking tire iron that hit J.D. in the head. They also ran before I could kill them." He shrugged that like was to be expected.
"But J.D.'s supposed to be tough enough to handle his own fights."
"Only when he's not halfway healed from being run over by Without Ado," Tanner countered. "But he tried. Shit, he was doingjustfine until Austin hit him with a bar of steel, and it was not a light tap."
"Yeah," I said. "I'm just sick of this shit."
"Same," Tanner said, flicking a finger to the scoreboard. "But that's at least better."
It was. Today's score was an 87.75. Hell, that was almost normal for me! I wouldn't bitch about that score if I didn't already know the judges were fucking me over, so I'd take it. It might even put me back on the bullpen at the end of the weekend!
"Holy shit," I breathed, looking back to Tanner. "Yeah, I'm good with that."
"Good," he said. "Now go check on our boyfriend."
"Yes, dear," I teased, heading for the gate so I didn't hold this whole thing up.
At the exit, Jackson was waiting like an obedient puppy. Maybe it was wrong for me to think of him like that, but he had the same sort of cuteness going on. I also really appreciated it, and J.D. gave me a whole appreciation for puppy boys.
"Hey, you got a good score!" he said.
"Yep." But I paused as the crowd groaned. There was no way someone had already been bucked off, had they? "Was that Wes?" I asked, turning to look.
"Yep," Jackson said. "Big ol' no score. Also means the last set is about to go. You're pulling for Jake, right? He's second."
"Yeah," I agreed, turning that way.
I was halfway up the stairs when the next bull came out. Again, the crowd groaned. What the fuck was up with the rides today? We'd hardly had any buck-offs yesterday. Then again, that'd raise my ranking by default, so I shouldn't complain.
But at the top of the stairs, Jake and Ty were waiting, grinning at me. "What?" I demanded.
"Nice ride, rookie," Ty taunted.
"Looks like you're almost back to a fair score," Jake pointed out.
"Yep," I said, turning to Jackson. "Can you find my hat?"
"Yes, ma'am," he said, hurrying off to where I'd left it.
But things were moving, and that meant Jake should be strapping in. "I'm ready to pull," I told him, heading for his chute.
But he chuckled. "Cowgirl, I think I'm good this time."
"What..." And he gestured at someone on the ground.
His chute opened, and a big tan-colored bull rushed out, taking a few steps before he bucked a few times, knocking off the rope that had been tied to him. I saw it. I knew what it meant, and now my mouth was hanging open in shock.
"What the fuck?" I hissed. "Why are you throwing your ride?!"
