AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"In a wheelchair," the man pointed out. "Just worried about him is all."
"Broken ribs," I explained. "He messed up his leg too. Combined, I'm sure he's not walking anywhere right now."
"Ok, so nothing spinal, right?"
"Nothing," I assured him.
Letting out a heavy sigh, Tim moved to lean beside me. "Good. In the two years I've been doing this, I've never seen a wreck like that. Without Ado trashed him. I wasn't sure he'd ever walk again."
"It's J.D.," I countered.
He laughed - actually laughed - in agreement. "Good point. That fucker can walk away from anything."
"Most of it is determination," I explained.
"Like you?"
I tensed, slowly looking over. "What do you mean?"
Tim just tipped his hat towards the middle of the arena. "The judges are shitting all over you. I half expect them to no-score your rides for a perceived slap or some shit."
"Fuck," I groaned, because I hadn't even thought of that.
"Just keep your hand clear," he warned me. "Very clear. But you know about the challenge button, right?"
"Vaguely," I admitted.
So Tim pointed. "Beside the exit gates, there's a big red button. One on each side of the arena. Costs five hundred bucks to hit it, but if you think you got screwed on a no-score, or deserve a re-ride, you can hit it. Makes them look it over in slow motion."
"For the bull fouling itself and such?" I asked.
He nodded. "That, your hold on the rope, your hand touching or not touching the bull, and all of that. Won't change your score, but it will give you a second opinion on a disqualification."
"Thank you," I said, flashing this guy a smile.
He nodded. "J.D. hit the button for me back when I was new. Told me I was leaving cash on the dirt. Ended up coming in sixth that event."
"Where are you placed now?" I asked.
He chuckled. "Um, I'm currently in seventh. Hoping to stay in the top ten, but I'm at ninth overall since Ty dropped down."
"Gonna hate me if I say I wanna drop you down a bit more?" I teased.
He just shook his head. "Nope, because I want to make sure you stay under me." Then he jerked. "No! Not like that!"
Which made me laugh - honestly laugh like I hadn't all day. "I know what you meant," I promised.
"Fuck," he breathed. "Good, because as much as I respect J.D., I'm scared of him too, and he's looking out for you."
"Seems like I need it lately," I admitted.
"Austin," Tim said.
I nodded in agreement. "Austin. He greased my rope today. That's the second time."
"You got a backup?"
"Yep."
