Cowboy Up by Jake Maddox

Author:Jake Maddox
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: 9781434229892, 9781434234254, Fiction, Jake Maddox Sports Stories, Sports & Recreation/Extreme Sports, Boys & Men, Social Issues/Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance, Lifestyles/Farm & Ranch Life
Publisher: Capstone Press
Published: 2012-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

THE FINALS!

A week later, Jake sat in the first row of the Galveston Arena with his parents and sister. It had been three weeks since he’d gotten his sling off. He flexed his fingers and bent his elbow to loosen up. The muscles were still weak.

“Hey, Jake!” yelled Alicia from the bucking chute. “Just because you’re recovering from that spill doesn’t mean I’ll go easy on you. I’m here to win!”

The arena buzzer sounded, and the gate swung open. Alicia and her bull flew out. She rode well and lasted the full eight seconds. Her score put her in first place.

After her ride, Alicia sat with Jake. Brandon was up next. “Are you going to go left-handed or right?” Alicia asked as Brandon got ready to ride.

Jake rotated his right arm to test his shoulder. It didn’t hurt, but it still felt weak. “I think I’d better stay with the left,” he said.

In the arena, Brandon rode a high-ranked bull for the full eight seconds. It wasn’t his best ride, but his score still put him in the top five.

Brandon joined them after his run. “What’s your plan, Jake?” he asked. “Who are you riding?”

“Razorwire,” Jake said, glancing over at his friend.

Jake thought about the bull he’d drawn. Razorwire was a mid-ranked bull. He’d make for a good comeback challenge. But all Jake could think about was King Minos. I have to cowboy up, he thought.

“That’s a good bull,” Brandon said. “Tommy Maskin rode him earlier. Got tossed in six seconds. But I’m sure you’ll last longer.”

Jake glanced up at the arena. The stands were packed.

“Don’t worry about the crowd,” Brandon told him. “You’ll be fine. Just get back out there on that bull.” He walked with Jake to the bucking chute to prepare for his first run.

Brandon helped Jake check his helmet, gloves, and boots. Then Jake climbed the rail and lowered himself onto Razorwire. He gripped the bull rope securely in his left hand. Jake could feel the bull tense underneath him. An image of King Minos flashed into his head.

I can’t think about that now, Jake told himself. I have to concentrate.

The arena buzzer blared, and the chute opened. Razorwire came out of the chute spinning.

Razorwire spun into a series of jumps and kicks. The bull kicked its way closer to the wall. Jake remembered how much it had hurt when he crashed into the wall last time. Razorwire spun, kicking the wall hard with his back legs.

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