Lost Cowboy

Chapter 2 - Hung Up

15 years later

Jessie’s P.O.V

A woeful groan escaped my throat as the sunlight streamed into my motel room. My lips smacked together as I realized the inside of my mouth tasted terrible. I tried to move, but I couldn’t. My head lifted to see a mess of blonde hair resting on my chest. The jackhammer in my head started pounding, and I dropped my head back on the pillow. I reached up with my free hand to rub my eyes as a dull thud throbbed through my head. I wasn’t sure how I ended up in my room this morning.

My brain is foggy, but the last memory I have is partying at the bar with Sunny and our friends. Sunny Hart is what I guess you could call my girlfriend, even though we never classified it that way. She is an exquisite girl with long blonde hair that flows in the wind when she rides her horse. Sunny was five foot eight with long, toned legs and a perfect ass. She had curves in the right places that drove me wild.

I shifted my body, trying to get her to roll off me. She rolled over and pulled the sheets over her. I stumbled out of bed and shuffled towards the bathroom, closing the door. The lights came on, and I squinted, waiting for my eyes to adjust. I blinked twice, then looked at my reflection in the mirror. Man, I was looking rough. My sandy blonde hair was sticking up everywhere. I rubbed the three-day-old stubble on my chiseled chin. My bright green eyes were bloodshot from drinking and lack of sleep. I scanned over my tanned and toned chest, lingering on a few scars that had formed from earlier run-ins with bulls. They are badges of courage, a permanent reminder of showing no fear to anyone.

I turned on the shower and jumped in, letting the icy water wake me. I showered, then stood under the scorching water after it warmed. My thoughts must have been running wild because I didn’t hear the door to the bathroom open. I shivered when a pair of hands glided up my back.

“I thought you were still asleep,” I said.

“You weren’t there when I woke. I was lonely,” Sunny purred as she pressed her naked body against my back.

Her hands snaked around my body to my chest. Her lips worked their way across my shoulders. She ran her nails across my chest, making every muscle tense under her touch. I turned to face her, my hands landing on her hips and pulling her closer. My lips crashed into hers, kissing her. Her fingers entangled in my hair, pulling my head to her to deepen the kiss. Her lips parted, and my tongue went in search of hers. My hands moved to her ass, squeezing it and pulling her tighter to my body. My lips traced her jawline to her neck. Sunny moaned in pleasure as I grazed my teeth across the sensitive skin.

“f**k Jessie,” she growled.

“You enjoy the baby?” I smirked against her skin.

“Yes, but I’d love it more if you f****d me,” she purred.

No sooner did she say that someone pounded on the bathroom door.

“Jessie, hurry, we’re going to be late,” Frank yelled outside the door.

“f**k,” I hissed.

Frank banged on the door again.

“Jessie, did you hear me?” he bellowed.

“Yeah, I will be out in a minute,” I yelled back.

My head started pounding again when I did.

“We can finish this later,” Sunny whispered in my ear.

I sighed as I pecked Sunny’s lips again. She stayed in the shower as I climbed out, wrapped a towel around my waist, and walked into the room. Frank was sitting on the bed waiting for me.

“It’s about damn time you get moving,” he grumped.

I flipped him off and began rummaging through my bag, looking for clothes. Grabbing a pair of jeans and a black western button-down shirt, I headed back to the bathroom and got dressed. I pulled on my boots and grabbed my cowboy hat. Satisfied, I headed towards the door with Frank.

“You could have at least said goodbye to Sunny,” Frank asked.

I rolled my eyes.

“She knows I’m running late,” I scoffed.

She’s not my girlfriend, more like f**k buddy, for lack of a better term. We’re always at the same events. Thus, it’s a convenient thing for us. Traveling as we do, it doesn’t make much sense to date.

“Sometimes I don’t understand you,” Frank said, shaking his head.

Frank Murray was my surrogate big brother, always trying to get me to act right. He is thirty years old with a thin build. Frank had copper hair with a bushy mustache. He looked as if he’d be driving cattle across the open plains. Instead, Frank shuttles me around from event to event, acting as my chauffeur. He used to ride but got his leg busted by a bull and retired.

“You know, this crap is getting old. Me having to find you to get you there on time,” Frank scolded me.

“Come on, Frank, you know I love to keep you on your toes,” I chuckled as I climbed into the truck.

“One of these days, this hard partying will catch you,” Frank frowned.

He started the truck and headed for the arena. Frank pulled into the arena parking lot fifteen minutes later. I jumped out and grabbed my gear bag, making my way inside the building. I headed to the dressing room and started putting on my gear. When I had finished buckling the latches on my chaps, someone behind me behind spoke.

“Well, look here, boys. Glad to see the golden boy could grace us with his presence,” Clayton sneered.

Clayton Williams was another bull rider on the circuit. He did not care for me much since I beat him out for Rookie of the Year last season. Clayton was tall and thin, with jet black hair that curled from underneath his hat. I swear he always had a scowl on his face.

“You’re just pissed because you know you can’t win if I’m here,” I smirked at him.

He scoffed, “Whatever, McBride, I can’t wait to see the day your little make-believe world crumbles.”

I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to getting ready.

“So how’s Sunny? Is she ready for a real man yet?” Clayton baited me.

My eyebrows furrowed into a scowl. Blood coursed through my veins and my hands clenched into fists.

“I’ll take good care of her when you wash out, show her what a real man is,” he prodded again.

My anger took over as I spun around, grabbing the front of his shirt.

“I’ve had enough of your flapping lips,” I growled.

Clayton sneered, “Did I hit a nerve, McBride?”

My clenched fist raised to punch him in the loudmouth just as Frank appeared.

“Enough, Jessie!” Frank yelled.

I released my hold on his shirt and pushed him away as he stood there with a smirk.

“Enjoy the ride while you can, McBride,” he chuckled.

Clayton spun and strutted out of the dressing room.

“When the hell are you going to grow up, Jessie?” Frank scolded me again.

“The asshole needs a beating,” I growled.

I pulled the riding vest out of my bag and threw it over my shoulders.

“You know that son of a b***h is nothing but hot air. Kicking his ass will mean nothing,” Frank continued.

I said nothing as I reached into my bag again and pulled out my bull rope. The bell tied to it clanged as I did.

“You drew Red Rocket. Get your s**t ready,” Frank barked and left.

I nodded and pulled out my notebook. I flipped through it until I found the information I needed.

Red Rocket - Jump and kicker, a headhunter, likes to spin left out of the chute.

My notebook keeps track of the bulls and their tendencies. I grinned and tossed the notebook back into my bag before heading to the arena. Red Rocket was in the chute when I arrived, looking mad. I climbed the gate and tossed my rope around the bull, and the officials helped get it tied.

“Up next, last year’s Rookie of the Year, Jessie McBride!” the announcer boomed over the loudspeakers.

I climbed over the fence and began lowering myself on the 1,900-pound monster. The bull got its name from his dark red coat. His massive dark gray horns sat atop his enormous head. They appeared to be searching for another thing or person to throw. As my rear end contacted his back, he jumped, wanting me off him. A feisty guy, isn’t he? My hand patted his head, showing no fear, before settling onto his back. Frank pulled the tail end of the rope as I placed my hand in the loop, moving it to the proper location. Frank handed me the loose end when I was ready, and I wrapped it around my hand. I pressed on my hat and slid forward until I was as close as I could get to my grip. I gave the nod and waited for the excitement.

The gate flew open with a loud clang, and the beast spun out of the gate. I worked to keep myself centered as the monster circled to the left. The bull exited the first spin, and his front end hopped into the air, followed by a ferocious buck. His rear end flew straight up into the air. I leaned back as he bucked, but not too far, so I didn’t rocket forward when he hopped again. My arm flexed to keep my body planted on the bull’s back. The bull jumped, then released a thunderous buck. My back slammed against the bull’s back as he went vertical once again. Come on, so close. My body flew forward as the bull reared his head back. I straightened out a split second before my face smashed into the back of his rock-hard head. That was too close. The beast spun left again and gave a small hop. I kept centered, waiting for another massive buck to happen. The bull’s front hopped again, and he bucked before he stopped spinning, twisting his body in the same instance. f**k, that is new. My body shifted to the right, and I flexed my arm as much as possible. With a significant chunk of luck, I stayed on the monster.

The beast let out another buck as the horn sounded. I need to get out of here. I reached for the tail of the rope but missed as the beast reared his head in anger. s**t! My body flung over the bull’s head as my hand stayed trapped in the tight wrap. It is every rider’s worst nightmare. My hand never came loose as the bull bucked again, still spinning in circles. I could hear the bullfighter yelling at the bull, trying to get its attention. One of them jumped on its back and pulled the rope, trying to loosen its grip on my hand. It is taking too long. As I tried to release my hand, I attempted to keep my feet from getting trampled. f**k, come on, let go.

After an agonizing length of time, my gloved hand pulled loose from the rope, causing me to flop to the ground. I scrambled up, trying to put distance between myself and the bull. My head turned to see the bull making a beeline for me, lowering its head as he stampeded closer. f**k, this will hurt. As I prepared for the incoming collision, a blur of yellow passed between me and the bull. The bull caught the movement and changed his direction to follow it. My lips flapped as I blew out the breath I was holding as I watched the bull go out of the exit gate.

“Thanks, Troy, you saved my ass there,” I told the bullfighter as he came up to me with my bull rope.

“You OK?” he asked.

“Yeah, wanted to go for an extra ride,” I chuckled.

He smiled at me and patted me on the back as I headed for the exit.

“Jessie McBride, 88.75,” the announcer relayed over the loudspeaker.

I lifted my hat to the crowd as I exited the arena.