Page 5 of Lost Trust

He rolls one shoulder and looks up at me. Not a damn ounce of fear on his face. Just determination and hunger.

I grin.

“Well, hell,” I say. “You ready to make history?”

The corner of his mouth twitches.

“Think you got a ninety-three left in ya?”

“Fuck yeah,” he grunts.

“Good, ’cause if you don’t, I’mma spend the next twenty years reminding you that you let that ancient SOB best your ass tonight.”

He chuckles.

“You’ve busted your ass for this your whole life.” The bull lunges again and rattles the chute. “And this ugly bastard?” I point to the bull’s head. “He’s just another eight seconds standing between you and everything you’ve ever wanted.”

Axle nods once.

“So, don’t overthink it. Trust your instincts. You know how to do this better than anybody.” I jab a finger into his shoulder. “When he comes out of this gate, don’t ride scared. Ride pissed and spur every damn jump. Stay in the middle. And when he starts spinning”—I grin—“you show him who the fuck’s in charge tonight.”

Axle laughs.

I grab the front of his vest and give him a shake. “You’ve already made me proud. I know you’re the best rider on the planet.”

His smile fades just enough to let me know he’s listening.

“But prove it to them”—I point to the stands—“and go win the damn thing.”

He laughs, shaking his head. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

I lean in one last time. “Ride the fucking hide off this son of a bitch, Ax.”

He grins so wide that I can see every ounce of confidence settle into him as the gate man steps forward.

“Ready, rider?”

Axle nods, wraps his fingers tighter around the rope, and lifts his free hand.

I climb backward onto the catwalk as the latch clicks into place.

My pulse pounds in my ears as I lock eyes with my brother one last time and give him a single nod.

Go become a world champion.

The gate swings open, and the crowd goes wild as the bull launches violently into the air. Twisting, kicking, spinning.

Yet, somehow, Axle looks like he’s having fun.

One of the commentators shouts over the speakers, “Diablo busted onto the scene two years ago and was named PRCA Bull of the Year. He has bucked off sixty-four of his last sixty-eight riders, and Axle Trust is absolutely in rhythm with him.”

My heart is in my throat as the clock counts down the seconds.

The buzzer sounds.

Axle launches from the bull’s back and lands cleanly before he jumps and throws his fist into the air.

The arena explodes.