Extreme Bull

this round for Terrence Gilbert on Weedwhacker. Up next is Clayton Harris.
    It’s early in the season yet, but Clay’s already in the top five on the leader board.”
    “Weedwhacker? Should have been named Eat Dirt,” Jeff cracked.
    Sam snickered but didn’t look over.
    BJ said, “Makes you wonder why Terrence wears those sequin-trimmed chaps. Only gets them dirty whenever he falls off.”

    Extreme Bull | Catt Ford
    6

    Jeff shrugged. “Who’s Clay riding?”
    “Eggboiler, I think.”
    “Eggboiler? Who would name their bull Eggboiler?”
    “I dunno. Eggboiler, Firestarter, something like that,” BJ
    said. “I only know the names of the ones I’m riding.”
    “Yeah, right.” BJ was notorious for obtaining video clips of all the bulls on the circuit and taking notes, so Jeff wasn’t buying it for a second. “What’s Eggboiler’s record?”
    “He can be rode,” BJ admitted. “But he’s tough. Clay stands to make some points if he can stick on him.” Jeff clenched his fists unconsciously at the commotion in the chute. He could see Clay’s head and shoulders jerk as the bull slammed against the sides. “Hope he does.” BJ looked at him incredulously and put out a hand to his forehead. “You running a fever, boy?”
    “What?” Jeff batted his hand away, cursing his pale skin and hoping he wasn’t getting red again.
    “You want Clay to score? I thought you wanted to beat him bad.”
    “I want to beat a man at his best, fair and square.”
    “When did you get religion?” Extreme Bull | Catt Ford
    7

    Jeff knew he was turning red, but he met BJ’s eyes. “I may like to pull a guy’s leg, but I wouldn’t really do anything to mess up their ride.”
    BJ studied him for a moment before nodding. “Knew that about you.”
    Jeff was glad the heart-to-heart was over. What was it today that everyone was helping him to the nearest couch and going all headshrinker on him? “There he goes.” FIRESTARTER went airborne right out of the gate like a fighter jet launched off a carrier. Clay stayed with him, his body in a nice, tight formation, his head centered over his torso. He could feel the tense and release of steely muscle between his legs as the bull hit the ground and took off again.
    Firestarter jerked his head to the left and circled once, stopping short to snap his head to the right and repeat the maneuver. Clay started to grin. Firestarter was a tough and canny bull, but he was in the zone today; he could feel it.
    The action felt like slow motion to him; he could feel it in his body the instant the bull changed directions. His abdomen tightened as the bull kicked up his back legs and lurched to the right. Timing it just right, Clay shifted with him, keeping his torso upright in the saddle.

    Extreme Bull | Catt Ford
    8

    He heard the horn go in the distance, but it didn’t matter. He didn’t want this ride to end, it just felt so good.
    Firestarter was of a different opinion, however, and he ran for the side of the ring, whirling at the last moment to try to slam Clay’s leg against the fence.
    Clay was ready for him and let go of the rope, leaping for the top rail of the fence and kicking loose of the bull. He balanced like a tightrope walker for a moment before doing a backflip into the ring, to the audience’s delight. The clowns ran out in front of the bucking animal and herded it toward the gate. Clay climbed back onto the fence and straddled it, waiting for his score.
    His chest was heaving, but he was smiling when he heard it: 91.25. “Beat that, Jeff Stratton,” he muttered under his breath.
    Clay flushed horribly when he heard the announcer go on, telling the crowd that Jeff Stratton was the only cowboy there likely to beat that score and that the two of them were in the top five and had a heated rivalry on the circuit, always trying to outdo one another. He’d hoped their private competition would stay that way, but rodeo was worse for gossip than any ladies’ tea party.
    “Congratulations, Harris. Nice ride, despite the openin’
    entertainment.”
    Clay turned to see Sam holding out his hand. He shook it. “Thanks, Sam. I appreciate it, coming from you.” Extreme Bull | Catt Ford
    9

    “Came from the judges too. They seemed to like it, or you wouldn’t have scored so big.” Sam nodded approvingly at him and walked away.
    Clay ambled over to where BJ and Terrence stood at the fence line. “Hey.”
    “Hey. Nice ride. Didn’t even have to brush yourself