2. Jamieson
two
Jamieson
F irst semester, third year university
“Holy shit! Griff!”
The hand holding my phone shakes as I pass it to my best friend with my exam results open.
“You passed! I knew you could do it!”
Griff pulls me to him in a bear hug, and I curl my large body around him. “I couldn’t have done this without you. Your tutoring made the difference, Griff.”
My throat grows tight, and I squeeze him closer. “Because of you, I'll graduate.”
Sure, graduation is still another year away, but this was the hardest year. If I didn’t get through it, I wouldn’t be back for the final year, which is mostly in-school placements and actual teaching. The hardest part for me is now done.
And I wouldn’t have gotten here without the infinite patience of my very intelligent best friend.
“You still had to write the exams and retain the information, Jamie. Don’t sell yourself short.”
Griff’s mouth moves against my T-shirt because I still have him crushed against me, but I hear him. He’s the only one who calls me Jamie, and I kinda like it. It’s something that’s just us. Easing back, I’m delighted to see the shine in his eyes.
“You’re crying for me. Such a softie.” I choke out a laugh as a lone tear runs down my cheek, and I swipe it away. Fuck, I’m never this emotional. Passing midterms shouldn’t make me tear up. Although I suspect it’s the relief that I’m still on the rodeo team that sprung the waterworks.
“I’m crying because you still get to do what you want. You want to be a bull rider, and now, with school going well, you can.” Griff squeezes me once more before I let him step away.
“I still have to finish this semester and next year.”
Lord knows I still have lots of time yet to fuck up school, but this is the first deal to keep dad off my back. Passing allowed me to stay in the program, but a 70% meant I could stay on the rodeo team.
That was my dad’s rule, and while I understand where he’s coming from since he’s paying for my degree and doesn’t want me to put all my hopes into bull riding, I also wish he’d just let me do what I want.
“You can’t give up on me, in class or on a bull. You need to be there.”
Griff smiles a soft smile. It’s one I’ve only seen aimed my way, and I’m so grateful I took the chance to make a new friend that day. He’s been there for me at every corner, and that just doesn’t happen much anymore.
He swings an arm around my shoulders and leads me away from campus. “We should go celebrate. It’s wing night at the pub. You love wings.”
“I do!”
Griff and I walk to the pub on campus, and his arm shifts from my shoulders to circle my waist as he speaks about me and how far I’ve come. He says how proud he is of me, and I don’t doubt a single word. He’s the best, most sincere, and supportive friend I’ve ever had.
“You’ve done a lot, too. Don’t think I didn’t see that email about the dean’s list.” My arm around him squeezes as I flash a smile down to Griff. “You’re the smartest guy I know, and you helped me while doing your own work. Plus, holding a spot as a bullfighter. Never sell yourself short, Griff. You’ll do amazing things someday.”
Griff dips his head as we walk, and it’s nice that he doesn’t boast like some of my teammates, but then again, I brag about him whenever someone will listen, so maybe it evens out.
“Thanks, Jamie. That means a lot.”
“You’re welcome. I mean it.”
Griff’s eyes lock with mine, and for a moment, I consider pecking a quick kiss on his lips. Which is new. And weird. I playfully push him into the bushes as we walk by instead. He doesn’t fall, but the scowl he aims my way is vintage Griff.
“What the hell, Jamieson?” He brushes a few stray twigs from his hair and throws them at me.
“I thought I saw a wasp on you. I saved you!” Slapping my hand to my chest, I pretend to be offended, and a small smile forms on Griff’s lips.
“You’re such a loser. Just for that, you’re buying the beer.”
I was going to anyway, but at least the weird moment is over.
Griff is just a friend.
“Okay, here’s what I think.”
Griff grabs my shoulders, and I puff out a breath. It’s the final major rodeo on the college tour, and I wouldn’t be here without his weird sixth sense about bulls. I’m convinced he’s a mind-reading Dr. Doolittle. It’s the only thing that makes sense.
“You drew Master Slaughter. He’s tough, but I think he’s tired today. Something tells me he’s going to buck with half a heart and all you need to do is keep your form to score higher.”
I stare at Griff and shake my head. “No, that’s impossible. He’s a major bull, Griff. He won’t just have an off day like that.”
“I’m telling you…he is. Trust me. He’s not been quite right the whole time I’ve watched him in the chutes. That bull is going to straight buck, no spins. Hang on and make it look easy, like you always do.” Griff smiles and claps my shoulder. “You good?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good. Thanks Griff. I’ll see you in the ring.”
“You will. I’ve got your back, Jamie. Don’t forget that.”
Griff jogs down the small aisle behind the loading chutes and I step away from all the bulls and rodeo action. Before I enter the line up behind the scenes with the other riders, I always take a moment by myself. Maybe I’m a little superstitious that way, but once I made it part of my pre-ride routine, I couldn’t stop.
Today’s an indoor event, so I find a quiet hallway in the facility and lean against a cool brick wall. Griff’s words still sound in my ears, and he’s never been wrong yet. Not only has he tutored me through some challenging classes, he’s been a huge part of my success in the ring, too.
He’s not just a bullfighter. He’s an intuitive guy. Smart, funny and the best person I’ve ever met. Closing my eyes, I envision myself on the back of Master Slaughter, riding flawlessly as the bull behaves exactly like Griff says it will. My attention then turns to Griff in the ring, keeping not just me, but all the riders safe.
For something he said he fell into by accident, he’s a natural. I don’t know how I’ll be able to compete without him after we graduate. His gift is my advantage and not only do I not want to give that up, but I don’t want to be separated from him after graduation, either. It’s been hard to focus, knowing we have different paths ahead of us soon.
But there’s no time for those thoughts now. This is the time to ride as well as I can, score mega points, and give us a reason to celebrate tonight.
Pushing off the wall, I count to twelve backwards—not to ten. I don’t like zeros—then return to the chutes.
“Hey! There you are!” My coach grabs me by the elbow and pulls me aside. “You had to draw a new bull. Master Slaughter didn’t pass the vet check. You can’t ride him.”
“Who do I have now?”
This is fine. It’s all fine.
“No Mercy.”
“Oh, well, that sounds no better than Master Slaughter, but it is what it is, right?”
Coach slaps my back, oblivious to my internal Zen unravelling. “You got it, Jamieson. You’ll be fine. ”
I sure fucking hope so. Griff is in the ring, and I know nothing about this bull. I hate going in blind, but there’s nothing I can do about it.
“Calm blue ocean, Jamieson. You can do this. It’s fine. You did it before Griff, and you can do it again.” I mutter as I take my place in the line with the others.
One by one, the riders mount their bulls, and I watch in a detached way as they all ride well enough. I cheer when I should, groan when it’s required, and assist in the chutes.
Then it’s my turn, and while I internally berate myself for depending on my friend’s intuitive bull reports so much, he was right…again.
“You good, Jamieson?”
“Y-yeah.”
No.
But the chute swings open, and my bull charges out, bucking and spinning. I maintain my form as best as I can, but I’m sliding to one side, and my grip on my bull rope has loosened.
With one final buck, I go flying and somehow still land on my feet. Blindly stumbling forward, about to face plant into the sand, familiar arms wrap around me and haul me into a hard chest. We both fall to the ground, and I land on Griff with my full weight.
“Look out!”
Griff rolls us to the side and covers as much of my body with his as the ground shakes around us, and Griff grunts in pain.
Then it’s all over as fast as it began, and everyone in the ring rushes our way.
“Get a stretcher!” Someone yells, and it’s then I register Griff’s low groan .
“Griff? Are you hurt?”
“Something hurts, but I think it’s minor. Don’t worry about it, Jamie. I got you.”
Griff is lifted off me as more people and more commotion surround us. Blood flows down his leg, soaking his sneaker and discolouring the tape around his ankle as he’s placed on a stretcher.
“Where are you taking him?!”
Is that me sounding so hysterical?
“The hospital. He needs stitches for sure.” The paramedic turns to me. “Did you get hurt?”
“N-no, but I don’t want him to go alone.”
“Follow us then.”
Griff reaches for my hand as I walk beside him on the stretcher. “Stay, Jamie. I’m fine.”
“Never. I’m not letting you go to the hospital alone.”
He doesn’t try to fight back.
Griff simply nods and squeezes my hand before we both enter the ambulance.
“I can drop by later with a pizza if you’re up for visitors.”
The line is quiet, but Griff finally answers. “Yeah. I’d like that.”
“Do you need me to pick anything up for you? Library books, new porn? ”
The quiet chuckle is my reward, and my shoulders sag. “I think I’m okay for both. A pizza and human company sound good, though.”
“I’ll be there in an hour.”
It’s only been five days since Griff went to the hospital, but it feels like five years. He needed thirty stitches along his calf where the bull’s hoof grazed him enough to cut deep. But he also knocked his head hard and, while not concussed, it was still a head injury that came with a massive headache.
He’s been ordered to rest and keep off his leg as much as possible. Since then, he’s been in his dorm room and keeping to himself.
And it’s been the longest stretch I’ve gone since I met Griff that we haven’t seen each other. Pizza doesn’t seem like enough to say thank you for saving my life, but what else can I do for him?
If he hadn’t caught me and rolled us out of the way, that two-thousand-pound bull was coming straight down on my back. If I weren’t dead, I would have wished I were, and my career would be over.
After stopping to get his favourite pizza, I quickly duck into the campus store and find a ‘ Get Well Soon ’ card with a giraffe wearing a scarf and a thermometer in its mouth. It’s something that Griff would absolutely laugh at. Borrowing a pen, I scribble a quick note and shove the card in my pocket before winding my way through the dorms to Griff’s.
“Knock, knock,” I call and slowly turn the handle before poking half my face through the door. “Are you decent?”
“Does it matter? You’ve already got your head inside. Get in here. ”
After closing the door behind me, Griff sits up from his pillow mountain and slides to the edge of his bed. He eases his bandaged leg up onto a chair and attempts a smile. After placing the pizza on the bed next to him, I plop onto the floor and flip the pizza box open.
“I got your favourite.”
Griff’s mouth twitches in a small smile. “You don’t like sausage on your pizza, though.”
“I can pick it off. More for you.”
“Thanks, Jamie.” He gives me a tired smile, and after grabbing a slice and taking a few bites, he finally looks like the friend I miss.
“Um, so are you still hurting a lot?”
Griff tilts his hand back and forth and swallows. “Some. It’s an improvement, though. Doc said I could take the bandage off today and start with slow movements until the stitches come out.”
“And the head?”
“It’s okay. I had a bitchin’ headache for the first few days, but that’s good now, too. How have your practices been?”
“We just had the one, and it was in the weight room.” Griff nods, and silence settles between us. “Will you ever be back, Griff?” I whisper, and he jerks his gaze to mine.
“Why would you ask that? I don’t want to quit.”
“I guess I wasn’t sure. It was scary, and we haven’t talked much since it happened. How are you…you know…mentally?”
Many rodeo men have walked away from the sport when traumatic things happen. I read about it after the paramedic told me to monitor Griff for any behavioural changes.
He picks at the sausage on his pizza before he replies .
“I acted on instinct to protect you, Jamie. I really didn’t think about what I was doing except that I was keeping you safe. That’s my job, and I’ll never let you down. I’m fine. Yes, it scared me, and I thought about the what-ifs for a few days, but as long as you ride bulls, I’m going to be in the ring to protect you.”
A lump wells in my throat that’s definitely not from the pizza.
“Thanks. I’ve, um…thought about the what-ifs, too. If…if you hadn’t been there, I might not be sitting here with you now. I know that.” Griff opens his mouth to protest, but I hold up a hand. “No, Griff, let me finish. Please.” He motions for me to continue, and I suck in a breath. “You saved my life. Whether or not you want to acknowledge that, I do. You’re my best friend, and I want to thank you for being there.”
Griff remains quiet, and I eat my pizza while I give him a moment. We’ve been close like no other friendship I’ve ever had since we met, and this has brought us even closer. It’s opened my eyes to who is really there for you. Few people would be in the position to take a bull’s hoof for me, but if they were, I’m not sure how many would do what Griff did.
Finally, his giant smile returns. “If I say you’re welcome, can we put this mushy stuff behind us and get on with things?”
Holding a piece of pizza up in toast, I take a bite. “A hundred percent. Let’s eat this before it gets cold, and I’ll help you clean up. When’s the last time you did the laundry? It smells like an old sock in here.”
Griff tosses a pillow at my head, and I bat it away, laughing.
“I was sentenced to bed rest, asshole. Don’t rag on my lack of cleaning. ”
“I know for a fact you said you’d do laundry before this even happened.” I point to the mountain of clothes in a heap in the corner. “That’s not five days’ worth of laundry.”
“Remind me why you’re my friend again.” Griff moves the remaining pizza out of my reach with a grin.
Yeah, we’ll be okay.