“You’re already up there, son. Quit yer bitchin’ and ride.”
“Fuck off, Coke.” Mini was fixin’ to blow.
“You wish.”
“Ew!”
When Jason was finally relaxed and laughing, Bax nodded to AJ. “Time to ride, Jase.
“Okay.” Jason grabbed his arm, tugged him close. “When this is done, you come get me. Don’t let me make an ass outta myself.”
“Not ever. I promise.” Bax murmured it low before stepping away and motioning for AJ to start it at more than half speed
Jase was on it, body moving easy. At some point early on, Mini closed his eyes, and almost immediately went green as the bull spun.
“Stop!” Bax waved AJ off, staggering in to grab Jase before he fell. “Don’t close your eyes, Mini. Try to keep them open.”
“Huh?” Jason blinked a little, the sweat popping out on his throat and cheek.
“I said, pry your eyes open. It’s when you close them that you start getting sick.” Stubborn, beautiful man. If he would just listen
“I didn’t know I was. I cain’t see nothing. Why should it matter?” Those eyes stayed open, though, didn’t they?
“The doc explained how you can see, even if your brain don’t know it.”
“Yeah. So?” Jase got settled back up, shoulders rolling.
“So what happened a year ago when you’d close your eyes on a plane?” Jason had always had a little vertigo
“Oh…” He got a grin, a nod. Beautiful, stupid man. “Okay. Okay, yeah. I get you, man.”
“Cool. Okay, get set and give us a nod when you’re ready.” Bax stepped back, finding himself ready to give Jason a real critique of his style, just like before the accident.
That pointed chin went up and then it tucked and the bull started. Jason had lost some muscle, and Bax wasn’t sure if that mattered or not. Jase was all about the balance, still. He broke at the waist, stayed up on his rope and… Damn.
Those eyes closed and Mini started tilting.
“Goddamn it, Jason! Keep your fucking eyes open.” Bax roared it like he would from the rail after tying Jason in.
Jason’s eyes popped open and he over-corrected, going over into his hand.
“Damn it.”
Coke grinned, nodded. “Not bad, Jason. Not bad.”
Bax grinned, too. “Not bad at all. We can work with this.” He went to help Jason down, giving Mini a hug.
“It was better than okay. We’re gonna have to get you abalance board, I think, but it’s incredibly doable.” Jesus, he might just bust.
“I… Yeah?” Jase swayed a little. “Bax? Buddy? I need to go have a sit, just you and me, huh?”
“Sure, man. Thanks, guys. Why don’t you go poke Missy about lunch?” Bax took Jason’s arm, leading him away, knowing their buddies would understand.
Mini leaned for the first few steps, and then he seemed to get his bearings a little. “How’s the leg?”
“It’ll do.” Now that Jase’d brought it up, it ached some. He’d not stood around that much in an age.
“I’m ready for the cast to come off. I can’t make it feel better as is.”
