Riding to Win

Chapter 3: Meetings (Tyler)

I roll over and turn my alarm clock off, knocking it off the night stand in the process. Today is my meeting with Dale so I can travel the country riding bulls. Crawling out of bed, I feel a little sore. Before I begin to wonder why, I remember that I rolled onto the floor in the middle of the night and tripped going up the stairs to my room. I throw on a plain grey t-shirt, some jeans, a pair of socks, and my boots before heading down stairs.

"Good morning Tyler. I heard you roll out o f bed last night," My mother greets me.

"Good morning Mom. I think I'm going to move the side of my bed against the wall," I respond to her.

"Are you ready for your big day?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. What do you think dad would say if he were here?"

"I'm sure he would say that he is proud of you and I am willing to bet he has been watching you with the biggest smile on his face."

"I hope you're right ma. I got to get going if I'm not going to be late."

"Alright, good luck and have a good day sweetheart."

"You too Mom," I yell before shutting the door and heading towards my old pick-up truck. I have to kick the door to get it to open, but I am successful in doing so. I get in and have a bit of trouble starting the damn thing, but I do get it to work. Good thing that I started leaving half an hour early because I just wasted twenty minutes to open a door and get the damn truck started.

It takes me about half an hour to get to my destination. On first glance, there is a rodeo being set up so I have a feeling it's going to be a long day. I get out of the truck and close the door. When it doesn't shut, I cuss under my breath and kick it.

"How often do you have to do that," someone asks from behind me. I turn around to see someone that looks like me with a different face and hair cut.

"Every once in awhile it doesn't want to shut, so I have to give it some motivation," I respond.

"I'm Chris, I ride with the circuit every weekend," the stranger says holding out his hand.

"I'm Tyler, I am new to this place so can you point me in the direction of Dale's office?"

"I was sent over here to fetch you. How old is that truck?"

"About twenty years old. It used to be my dad's and he bought it brand new. As you can see, it's on it's last leg."

"Yeah, if you need it, I have a buddy that can set you up with a nice truck of any brand you want."

"I think I just might take you up on that offer. I'm sick of replacing parts in that damn thing," I say just as we walk up to two large chipped wooden doors. I swing one open, and it makes an awful squeaking noise.

"Ah, Mr. Thompson, come right in. Excuse the squeak, it hasn't been oiled in a while. My assistant used to do that, but she quit because she didn't want to travel anymore. I have to-"

"Would you stop talking about that and get to why the hell I'm here," I cut him off wanting to get to the point of this little visit.

"Wow," he says with a look of shock on his face. "I had no idea someone could be on edge that much. But I'll get to the point of this visit. I want to you to ride tonight. I want to see what you have in ya, so I'm putting you on one of my toughest bulls. Are you willing to get saddled up and ride in front of all your neighbors?"

"Bring it," I answer confidently. He smiles and stands up.

"Good, let me walk you to where you are going to get your new riding clothes and then I'll show you to your dressing tent."

I follow him out the door, but instead of continuing to following him, i get the WD40 from my truck and oil his damn doors. He thanks me before we go get my new gear and he shows me to my tent. I get a few odd looks that I assume is just them being sore about competition, so I just them off and ignore them.

"Alright son," he says putting his arm around my shoulders. I push his arm off cause it makes me feel like he is being creepy. "These here are your quarters. You can keep you stuff in here, change, and do whatever the heck you want to do. Just don't get any girl pregnant in here alright? I'll be going now, see ya out there tiger."

"Don't call me son. I will never have sex in a tent. Lastly, don't call me tiger God damn it."

As soon as he is gone, I set my duffle bag down and get into my new riding gear. While I'm buttoning up my shirt, someone rings a cowbell outside my tent. Without a word the stranger comes in. He is another rider, but instead of blue he is wearing a black shirt under his vest.

"The name's Dan, I'm the best rider here and I come baring advice. Stay out of that ring and never try to beat me. If you do, there will be consequences," he states before leaving the tent. He walks as if he has a stick up his ass. I slide my black felt hat on my head and start heading to the chutes.

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I get to the chutes early, so I get to watch some of the competition. Quite a few get bucked off with in 2 seconds and about 3 make the eight seconds. One of the guys that made it was that cocky smart ass from earlier. When it's my turn, i find out the bull is named Bushwacker and that he has a few consecutive buck offs.

They lower me on the bull's back, and help me secure my hand in place. When I'm ready I give my routine nod and the gate opens. Bushwacker puts its hind end in the air and flops around like a fish out of water. It bucks harder than most bulls that I have ridden, but not harder than the one that sent me on my back a few years back. It feels like it has been eight hours when the buzzer sounds and I release my grip on the bull. I look at the board and see that I outranked everyone with a total of 85 out of one hundred points. After waving my hat to the crowd, I walk out of the ring and back to the tent.

I have a minute alone before my new boss comes in. "Boy, do you know what you just did. You just outranked my best riders. I need you on this circuit, with you the circuit will be put on the map. These guys can't do half the stuff you can."

"Uh, thanks I guess. When is the next ride and in what town?"

"We are heading east to georgia. The city is Atlanta and you are going to be one of the star attractions. So get ready to take some of the best damn rides of your life."

"Alright, I just have one request."

"Sure, anything you want. Just name it."

"Stop calling me everything that isn't Tyler. It's annoying because my name is boy, son, or tiger so knock you shit off old man."

"That's what I like about you Tyler, you're always honest. I'll see you on the plane to Georgia."

After he leaves, Dan comes in with a deep scowl on his face. You didn't heed my warning there newby. Just remember, I went easy on you tonight. You are in for the biggest fight of your life."

"Bring it dumbass"

"See you in Georgia," he grumbles. I don't know who shoved the three foot stick up that guy's ass, but he really needs it removed. If he doesn't, losing to a 'newby' will be a little more painful than he thought. If there is one thing I learned, it's never back down from a fight. So Georgia, you're about to see the first battle of a war.

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