𝐆𝐎𝐍' 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐃
"Wyatt, are you sure this is what you wanna do?"
Wiley asked, his Southern accent heavy, worry written all over his face.
I just shrugged, grinning like a fool. "Come on, Wiley, what's the worst that can happen?"
He shook his head, concerned. "The worst that can happen is you paralyze yourself forever!"
I let out a laugh, tryin' to ease his nerves. "Buckie, the Bodacious Bull is the most dangerous bull you could ever ride. This could cause serious injuries if you don't land properly; hell, this could end your bull riding career forever!" he warned, his voice rising with every word.
"Wiley, you worry too much!" I replied, puffin' out my chest a little. "I just gotta stay on for ten seconds, beat the record, and then I'm done."
He shook his head, knowing I wasn't going to back down. "Boy, you're gonna be the death of me."
"I've heard that one before," I shot back, gathering my rope to prepare myself for the ride of my life.
"Wyatt Buckley!" I heard someone yell my name.
I turned to see Akhilles struttin' up, looking sharp in his white tee, denim jeans, and Ariat boots. Akhilles was my brother from another mother, my best friend since second grade. Now he was a big shot lawyer, and I couldn't be more proud of him.
"Akhilles! What's up?" I called out, and we slapped hands, our laughter mixing in the air.
"You are a crazy mother fucker for what you're about to do," he said, flashing a grin that showed off his shiny gold grills.
I chuckled. "I don't know who worries more, you or Wiley."
He smacked his lips, glancin' at Wiley before burstin' out, "Definitely Wiley."
"Okay, you two can try and act tough all you want, but at the end of the day? All I ever done is look out for both of ya," Wiley chimed in, crossing his arms.
Wiley married my grandma after my grandpa passed away when I was only six years old. He's been here ever since. Akhilles and I have been giving him grey hairs since we became best buds. Wiley has always looked out for us, even though we scared him into a near heart attack every time we're together.
My grandma always told him if he ever let anything happen to one of us, she'd kill him. My sweet grandma wouldn't hurt a fly, but when it came to Akhilles and I? She might hurt one or two.
Akhilles placed his hand on Wiley's shoulder, "Aw, Wiley, we love you too!"
Wiley pushed him off with a grin, just as the announcer's voice boomed over the loudspeaker.
I turned back just in time to see the bull being led over, a beast I'd never rode before. My heart raced, excitement and fear mixed in a cocktail of adrenaline. "Oh boy, oh boy... here we go!" I said, feeling the thrill rushin' through me.
Akhilles's eyes widened. "Wyatt, are you fucking insane?"
"Bye, Akhilles!" I shouted, stepping up to the challenge.
I knew deep down this was probably a bad idea, but the payout was too good to pass up.
If I could hold on for ten seconds, I'd be laughing all the way to the bank.
The announcer's voice rang out, calling my name, "Next up ridin' out of Austin, Texas, weightin' one hundred and ninety pounds, and standin' six foot five inches tall. .. Wyatt 'Buckie' Buckley!"
I felt the rush of the crowd as I climbed onto the bull, my hands gripping the rope tight.
The Bodacious Bull was thrashing like a wild stallion, and I could feel the power beneath me.
"Ten seconds, Buckie! Only ten seconds! If you can't handle it, then let go!
" Wiley shouted, patting me on the back.
I nodded, trying to focus as the gate swung open. The bull shot out like a cannon, bucking and twisting like it was possessed. I held on for dear life, the world a blur of motion. I counted in my head, never taking my eyes off of the bull.
Then I felt those powerful legs kicking up behind me. Just like that, I lost my grip.
"Oh shit!" I yelled, flying through the air, my heart pounding like crazy. Before I knew it, I crashed into the mental gate and completely blacked out for a second.
I laid there, hearing gasps from the crowd, then silence.
Pain shot through my body like fire, and I could feel my vision blur as I tried to make sense of what just happened.
I was sprawled out on the ground, and it felt like the world was spinning around me.
The sounds of the crowd faded into a muffled hum, and all I could focus on was the pain radiating from my head and back.
Then, I heard footsteps coming closer, and I squinted to see Mr. Wiley's worried face hovering above me, followed by Akhilles, his expression a mix of concern and panic. The medic team was right behind them, thankfully.
"Wyatt, don't move!" Wiley urged, his voice sharp and full of authority.
"Buckie, just stay still," Akhilles added, kneeling beside me, his brow furrowed in worry. I could see the fear in his eyes, and it sent a shiver down my spine. Akhilles never looked scared.
I tried to shift, to sit up and shake off the confusion, but the pain flared up all at once. "How bad is it?" I croaked out, my throat dry and scratchy.
Wiley took a deep breath, glancing at the medics before looking back at me, his expression serious.
"Your grandmother is going to kill me."
Fuck.
That's how I knew it was bad.