Page 21 of Leading the Blind
“I want to win the title, then retire. I want to learn to read and stuff so I can do better, but I got to do this first.”
“Then we do it.” He stroked the want line that had appeared on Jason’s forehead above the cloth.
Jason smiled, the look vaguely wondering. “Love the way that feels, man.”
“Good. I like doing it for you.” Bax hated how little he could do, but this made him feel useful.
“You do everything. I worry that my burden’s too big.”
“Shit, Mini. We’re just trying to make it through the day.”We’re both idiots, huh?
“No shit on that. I give thanks every day we wake up and we ain’t killed something.”
“Right?” He had to laugh at that. He wondered if everyone who got real hurt doing what they did felt that way. Coke. Sam Bell. It had to be the same, kinda.
The game changed them all, mostly for the worse, he thought. Still, they loved it and they played it, damn the consequences. It was an addiction no cowboy could shake once it took hold.
Bax finally kicked off his boots so he could settle next to Mini on the bed. His leg ached, and he wondered if there was rain in the forecast.
Jason reached over, rubbing the sore spot unerringly, just like he felt it too.
“Mmm.” Oh, that was fine. Damned fine. “Thanks.”
“Anytime. We’re going to do this, right? You and me? Like after?”
“Yes. You and me. Always.” He wouldn’t leave Jason for anything. He would figure out how to get him help. A dog. Braille lessons.
“Okay. I can do this, but I want you with me.”
“I’m not goin’ nowhere. I swear.”
“I bet we go lots of places. Hell, I’m prob’ly the most traveled not-supposed-to-be-blind guy on earth.”
“I bet you are.” God, Mini still made him laugh like a loon.
Jason’s laughter joined up with his and he thought, maybe, this was gonna be fine. Maybe.
He would just close his eyes and pray. That usually worked for him.
Chapter Five
The crowd was buzzing, loud enough that Jason felt a little dizzy, but Dillon was in his ear, calm and solid. The man wasn’t working the event, so he could sit and talk without all the heavy breathing and screaming into the mic that came with being a rodeo clown.
“How come Dillon don’t look crazy talking to himself, Bax?”
There was a hesitation, then a chuckle. “He got his phone out. Looks like he’s talking on it. Not bad, for a geek from Idaho.”
“Cool.” Jason had pulled Bogbaby today, who was rank enough, he guessed, especially for where he’d landed on the roster. The bull was a strong son of a bitch that spun toward the right and kicked like a balky mule. Jason could make some money on the ride, if he stuck.
“Yeah. He’s smarter than he looks under all that makeup.”
“That he is.” Hell, Gramps liked him. That was good enough for Jason. Dillon had always had his back, so Jason wasn’t going to make fun of him too much.
“Keep your eyes open,” Gramps told him.
“I will.”
“I mean it, son. Ace is watching.” That deep voice sounded so damn dire in warning.
