Hanging On (Jessica Brodie Diaries #2)(108)

And here I was. Again. On a damned bull. I really never intended to ride one again. Once was enough for bragging rights. But here I was, yet again.

William secured everything and checked me to make sure I was good. I got me my old friend from last time, the hopper. He then looked into my eyes and saw that I was scared shitless. I knew what to expect—or rather, I knew of all the things I might be surprised with, and I was trembling from the worry.

William smiled. “I’ll be in the ring with you, okay? Remember to let go. This little guy will do the same thing he did last time, so just hang on for dear life.” He winked and hopped into the ring.

Lump was up with the chute, Adam on the ground beside it.

“Okay, Jessie. You a’right?” Adam called.

“Uh huh.”

He laughed. “Nervous?”

“Uh huh.”

“Kay, now. Do just like Willie said. Hang on to the brute, but when you start to fall, remember to let go. Keep that hand up, move that ass like you were ridin’ Willie!”

The guys gathered around started laughing.

“A’right, Betz. Show time. Give’er a count and set that gate flyin’!”

Lump smiled down at me and giggled. Lump, giggle?

“Good luck!” she said as she flung the gate open.

“Waaiiiiiitttttt!” I said as the steer took off.

I did like Adam said. I put one hand in the air, and tried to move my bottom half with the bull, letting my upper half relax. I definitely stayed on longer than the last time, but then I felt myself starting to slip.

I let go and pushed with my legs to jump off. I landed on my back, jumped up, and ran.

“Wrong way!”

William was walking over to me with a big smile on his face. He hugged me tightly. “Have fun?”

“Hot tub.”

He snickered. “Well, you managed seven seconds. You almost made it! That is great for your second try!”

“It was a ball-less bull, Little Willie, I don’t think that counts.”

He laughed and kissed me.

I felt pretty good anyway. I tried to control my strut as I went to see if Ty needed any help getting Lump ready.

“I am doing gate this time,” I announced.

Lump looked at me with an excited smile. “Sorry Jess, but you work better when you don’t expect it.”

“Seven seconds to beat,” I said.

“Easy,” she retorted. Famous last words.

She was strapped on a steer as well, but I noticed hers was bigger than mine was. I wasn’t stupid enough to get offended.

I got to my place at the chute. Adam started talking her through it like he talked to me, only he gave her some general instruction about the bulls movements, which I already knew from the last time.

Lump was fiercely athletic, as anyone could guess. She took the advice, then turned to me. “Now or never. Let her fly.”

“Ready. Set. Go!”

I threw the gate open and the steer went leaping out. Lump held her hand up like a pro. She moved her body in a close mimic of the form, and held on for dear life. She made it to about five seconds and started falling. She let go and not so gracefully hit the dirt.

Without any signs of outward panic, she got up and dusted herself off. The bull was hopping toward the exit.

“You good?” Adam called.

Her smile lit up her face. “This is so my new sport. It is exhilarating!”

“No!” Three guys said in union.

Lump rolled her eyes as she climbed the gate to get out.

“New sport!” she whispered to me.

William came over and put his arm around me. “You two never cease to surprise me. Do you want to go to my house tonight?”

I got a bout of butterflies at that thought. He still made me nervous when anticipation was a factor.

“Let me work out the car situation with Lump real quick. Be right back.”

Lump was still over at the chute taking off her stuff. As I neared, I heard Adam saying, “Well, you shouldn’t be with a guy like that Betsy. He’s dangerous.”

“And you are safe, huh?”

“That’s why I’ve stayed away from you.” Adam’s voice was gentle. It sounded like it was about to break. “You don’t deserve to be around someone that scares you.”

I knew I shouldn’t be hearing this, but if I walked away they would hear me and think I was eavesdropping, which I was. So I opted for the overly loud approach.

“Hey Lump?” I called as if I didn’t know where she was.

“Yeah?” She called.

I walked up and saw Adam leaning against the gate looking at the ground. Lump was wiping a tear from her eye.

“Um. Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“Right. Well, do you want the car because I can get a ride with William.”

“I’m coming Jessica. Wait for me, I’m coming.”

“That’s what she said.”

“Dumb ass.”

She quickly finished up and left Adam, who was still looking at the ground.

When she caught up to me, I asked, “What was that fight about?”

“Adam is mad because I keep dating dangerous guys.”

“No, not that fight--let it be known that I completely agree with him—but with David?”