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"You did," I pointed out. "I know I did."
"I meant anyone who matters," he corrected.
"Well, that's the question, isn't it? Who does matter?" And I kept walking.
But Ty slowed, watching the bulls they were loading in. "Fuck, that's Without Ado."
"Yep," I agreed.
He looked over. "Jake?"
"Mm?"
"Who'd you draw?"
I chuckled. "Don't worry, Ty. I'm not a martyr."
"Who the fuck did you draw?" he demanded.
I stopped at the chute that would be mine. "Without Ado."
"Fuck," he snapped. "There's no way those guys will get you out of there in time, and you saw what this bull did to J.D.!"
"Mhm," I agreed. "Which is why - "
"You need to scratch!" he insisted.
I grabbed Ty's bicep, stopping the man's panic before he could really get started. "I'm going to be fine, Ty."
"Not on that bull, you won't be," he shot back.
"Right." I nodded to show I agreed. "But Cody just had the chance to speak her piece. Now it's my turn, and scratching won't make the statement I want."
"But getting sent to the hospital will?"
"No," I assured him. "But it seems Donald Merrill is trying to hang all his problems on Cody's shoulders. I'm here to make it damned clear he's wrong. The fans? They want to see the wrecks, right? So they just gave us second-rate bullfighters, and men have been dropping like flies today."
"Kinda my point," Ty insisted.
"But the fans? They want to see bull riders," I went on. "They want to see cowboys being tough. Know what they don't want to see?"
"I dunno, blood?"
"No, they love blood," I grumbled. "Ty, they don't want to be bored, and when fans get bored, the PBR loses out. So the only way to teach the PBR a lesson is to not play by their damned rules."
"Sure. Whatever," he grumbled. "Just know that if you get hauled to the hospital, I'm taking Cody up there to bitch your ass out."
"Deal," I said. "Now go get ready, because I'm pretty sure you and her are the only ones competing for the buckle this time. And we both know she won't be real happy if you throw it for her."
"Yeah..." But he clasped my arm quickly. "Run fast, Jake. Fuck. Be safe?"
"Real safe," I promised, because I had a plan.
Ty headed to the next chute over, passing his rope to the attendant. I did the same. The men on either side of me worked my rope under the bull, getting it ready for me. When Without Ado was strapped in, I climbed into the chute, keeping my feet on the rails. No weight on this one's back.
"You got a minute before you can strap in," the chute attendant warned me.
"Cool," I said, reaching for the tail of my rope. "This might take a second."
