Bullheaded

prove to the fans he still had it. He was still points ahead of the other riders. The way he calculated, he might be able to miss two rides and still win, but he’d wanted to be six for six. Now the best he could aim for was five for six, but he could still make a big score and get the win.
    “He’s an honest bull,” Dub commented. “Puts his feet almost in the same footprints with each spin, but he’s damn strong. He never weakens.”
    “Yeah, he does the same thing over and over, just better each time,” Cody said. He was more focused on his wrap than what Dub was saying. “Wish me luck.”
    “You know it.”
    After settling himself down and getting a good seat, Cody gave the nod. The gate swung open and Renegade Romeo jumped forward, giving a big kick and twisting his back end around. Cody felt the jolt of the bull’s front feet throw him forward and broke at the hips, swinging his free arm in front to keep centered as the bull flung his rump to the side. Like the honest bull Dub said he was, Renegade Romeo kept doing the same thing, which made him easy to predict. The only problem was, instead of tiring out, he seemed to get stronger and faster with each spin. It felt as if they were going a hundred miles an hour.
    Keeping centered, Cody timed it right, leaning back for the kick, using his free arm to stay with the bull when he turned. He was in the air when the whistle came and he rode the bull back to the ground, only then pulling on the tail of his rope. The hind end of the bull came up and popped him off the back so he landed on his ass in the ring. Even though it was a little hard on his tailbone, Cody scrambled to roll into the chute. At least he hadn’t landed on his knees. The gate clanged shut behind him just in time to make the bull veer off to chase Reese instead.
    Cody pulled himself up by the rails and brushed his butt off, standing on one leg. The gate opened and he took off his helmet, throwing it in the air. “Yeah! Yeah!” he roared.
    The crowd was roaring right back and the announcer was yelling over them.
    “Cody Grainger does it all on Renegade Romeo for the score of 89.75! Did you see how long it took that bull to come back down to earth when he jumps? But it doesn’t matter what bull you put the cowboy from California up on, he knocks them down. Cody is riding like a machine; he can do no wrong!
    “Athletes perform better when they feel the energy of the crowd, and this crowd wants to see Cody Grainger go out on top this year. They are sending out one big embrace to the sport of bull riding and to him.
    “After that buckoff in the first round, Cody didn’t just salvage a score, he shot to the top of the leaderboard. He’s proved he’s not going to make it easy for the other riders. If you want to beat him, you’ll have to fight him every step of the way. Cody Grainger is definitely a legend of the sport!”
    Reese came over with his rope and joked, “Good job, Mr. Legend, but you better stop soaking up the glory and get out of the ring. There’s other bulls and cowboys left to ride.”
    Cody limped for the exit gate and was stopped by Rex waiting to grab an interview.
    “Last time you met Renegade Romeo, he definitely got the better of you. What was the difference this time?”
    Cody grinned. “This time I got a score!”
    “You’re back on top after a long buckoff streak. What, if anything, did you learn from that slump?”
    “One thing I learned is I don’t get off very well.” Cody rubbed his elbow with a grin. Couldn’t rub his ass on national TV. “Gotta work on that.”
    “You were popped off the back of that bull like a rag doll, but not before you made the whistle and took the lead in another round. Congratulations to you, Cody.”
    “Thanks, Rex.”

    “I’ VE never seen you pace like this before. Why don’t you give that knee a break?”
    Johnny enjoyed their new pattern. He got to join Cody and his parents for dinner after his team meeting. They would eat together while Davis gave Cody advice and encouragement. Cody would sign autographs when fans came to the table. Then Davis and Val would tactfully say they had another engagement and vanish. Johnny would walk behind Cody to the elevators, ready to lend a hand if needed. By the time they got to their floor, Cody did need it, and Johnny would help him hobble to the room and get the ice.
    “I’ve never come off a buckoff streak heading into the finals before,” Cody said. He paused to stare