Bullheaded

right in front of the bull, getting hung up on the horns and flipped ten feet in the air. Johnny did a spectacular somersault, landed lightly on his feet, and quickly turned to reach over the bull and yank at the rope, setting Cody free while the other two bullfighters got the bull’s attention.
    During the replay, the audience screamed in fear to see Cody roll onto his back and stare up at the bull about to land on him, when once again Johnny shot the gap to put his body between bull and man. This time the other two bullfighters were right behind him, darting in and out, working like a flawless team to distract the bull and drive it to the exit gate. It was Johnny’s quick action that made the bull turn away from Cody’s limp body, but it made Cody’s blood run cold to see such a close call. The big screen cut away then to show Juca Matos currently getting set in the chute.
    With a deep breath, Cody singled Johnny out in the ring by the red shirt over his vest, still out there doing his job, waiting with his team by the gate for the next bull. In relief, Cody gave him a nod and fist pump to thank him for the save, even while his heart was still pounding at the shock of the sight. Sometimes it killed him that Johnny put his life and limbs on the line for him when there was nothing he could do in return to help Johnny if he got in trouble. The flash of a smile on Johnny’s beautiful dark face made him feel happy and relieved, which in turn made him feel horny, something they could maybe take care of together later.
    He started to peel his glove off and unwrap the tape. There were only three riders still left to go, and so far he’d been the only one in this short round to cover a bull. He didn’t mind if the other boys managed to stick for eight seconds as long as he won the round.
    Juca Matos made the whistle as usual, but the final two bucked off.
    He staggered at the congratulatory slap on his back and caught a flash of red as Johnny ran by him, heading toward the locker rooms.
    “Keep that up tomorrow and you’ll get another buckle for the collection! Congrats!”
    He smiled after the bullfighter and then ran out into the ring, jumped up onto the shark cage in the center for the brief interview, and held both arms over his head in triumph, flashing his famous grin. Lights flashed and confetti rained down as the crowd applauded and shouted his name, even though he’d only won the short round for the first night. Tomorrow was a whole new crapshoot and he loved it. Loved the challenge, the physicality, and the risk of his chosen profession. He just loved to ride.

    “C AN ’ T complain about your work, rookie.”
    “Thanks, Vern.” Pleased with his leader’s praise, Johnny felt a smile tug at his lips but tried not to let it out.
    “It’s okay, you’re allowed to pat yourself on the back once in a blue moon.” Reese was always quick to tease. “That was a nice save.”
    “Especially since we haven’t been working together as a team that long.” Vern backed up the DVD and played Johnny’s save of Cody again in slow motion. “Teamwork. It’s what keeps us all safe. When you grabbed that bull’s attention, Reese was able to slip in and tag him.”
    “You’re the one who played kissy-face with him, boss,” Reese said, lazily pointing at the screen where Vern was teasing the bull by putting his hand on its head and staring it down before darting away in the direction of the exit.
    “Hey, we’re all sporting a big red S like Superman on our chests. A night with no one going to the emergency room is a good night by me.” Vern replayed Johnny’s aerial somersault again and snickered. “Good thing at least one of us is young and athletic, Reese.”
    “You calling yourself old?” Reese asked, pretending to clutch his heart in shock. “’Cause I’m not ready for the back pasture yet.”
    Vern ignored him and spoke to Johnny. “I heard you know Cody outside the circuit.”
    Answering the real question, Johnny said, “Yeah, I work for him on his ranch. But I hate seeing anyone get hung up like that.”
    Vern gave a quick nod of approval. “It’s a good night when we all get to go home, riders and fighters. I couldn’t ask to work with better partners.”
    Reese wiggled his eyebrows and gave Johnny a wink. “That’s like getting a fucking gold star. Better remember it, Johnny. Our fearless leader don’t give them out so easy.”
    “I’ll treasure the memory forever,” Johnny