Bullheaded

bull. He was smart.”
    “He sure outsmarted me.”
    Dub slapped his back. “At least you made a score. Things are looking up for you.”
    Cody shook his head. Dub couldn’t understand this. To have sunk so low where at least not falling off was a good thing…. “At least I broke 80 this time, though. By one stinking point.”
    “Any time you stay on, no matter how low the score, it’s a good ride. Just keep clawing and scratching your way back to the top.”

    H E ’ D hoped Rex the reporter wouldn’t care about interviewing him, seeing he had the lowest scores after round four, but it seemed he was still news of a sort. Bad news.
    “How’s it feel to get a score after all these weeks without one?”
    “It feels just great, Rex. I hate to show up and lose.”
    Of course, Rex couldn’t resist asking how come he couldn’t stay on the bull every time out. “There was a time when it seemed like you could ride anything. What went wrong?”
    “I wish I knew,” Cody said with a grin, but his eyes were stone cold. He wished he had the power to strike Rex dead with them. “If you find out, let me in on it.”
    Whatever Rex thought, he turned to the camera with a smile and said, “And there you have it, from the man everyone expected would win this year. Clearly he doesn’t know why he’s struggling either. As so many have said—”
    Knowing it was against the best form of interview etiquette and good PR, Cody walked away while the man was still blowing hot air. He let a sinister grin twist his lips when he thought of saying, “My homosexual lover left me and I can’t ride because I’m always thinking about him.” It sure would stir up a ruckus. It was crazy, but he felt almost in the mood for it.
    He was almost past them when he heard his name.
    “Hey, Cody!”
    It was Zane and Bobby Blue. He’d managed to duck any kind of face-to-face with them all weekend, but now he couldn’t run away without being outright rude.
    “Hi, boys. Congratulations on making it to Top Cut where the elite ride,” Cody said, shaking their hands. “I’m proud of you.”
    “I want to thank you,” Bobby Blue said with earnest nervousness. “You’re a great rider and a great trainer. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for you.”
    A little taken aback, Cody laughed. “It was my pleasure. It’s great to see how good you’re coming along.”
    “Thank you again. I totally mean it.” Bobby Blue shook his hand again and loped off.
    Cody stared after him. “What’s got into him?”
    “He’s practicing for his press conferences,” Zane said.
    “I thought he sounded weirdly grateful. It’s good to see you too, Zane.”
    “Actually, I got here as an alternate. I hate getting to ride because of someone’s injury but I’m grateful for the chance,” Zane said. “It’s a real honor being in the ring with you.”
    Cody laughed ruefully. “Not much of an honor right now, I’m afraid.”
    “No. Listen, you’re an inspiration to me and to a lot of other guys. It’s easy when you’re on top, but watching you fight your way out of the slump….” Zane shook his head. “I learned a lot at the ranch, but I’m learning even more now, like how a really great rider never gives up. I’m proud to tell anyone I got trained by you.”
    “Well, thanks. It means a lot to me to hear it.” Cody grabbed the hand Zane offered again and shook it happily.
    “It does to Bobby too, for real, even though he sounds like a dickweed. Good luck next weekend.”
    Cody stared after Zane in confusion as he pushed the door to the back hall open. It hadn’t occurred to him that anything but winning could be found admirable. This was something new he needed to think over.
    He followed Zane into the back hall just as the door to the locker room opened and he came face-to-face with the bullfighters. Apparently Johnny had come down to join his team, and they were laughing and discussing the event. It was eye opening to see Johnny with his peers. Even though he was the junior member, it was obvious Reese and Vern liked Johnny and having him around. Even Chris Bellow was talking to him.
    Watching the bullfighters together, Cody paid close attention to them for the first time. Although Vern was solid with muscle, he was very quick in the ring; Reese was thinner, but still burly next to Johnny. Chris looked old and thick. Johnny was more slender and athletic-looking than the rest of the team. An acute sensitivity to Johnny