Cold State Line

“Oh come on guys it would be fun,” Zach said and handed us all tickets. “ aren’t you curious why there’s this huge deal going around while we’re trying to perform?”
Jimmy, Brian, and Johnny all just rolled their eyes and looked at Baker. A rodeo didn’t sound like a good idea to me either. I mean, we were the type of people to go to a rodeo.
“I gotta agree with the guys sentiments, Zach.” I handed the take it back to him. “Why do you want to go to a rodeo?”
”I think it’d be fun. Plus we’re in Texas. We gotta immerse ourselves in the culture.” Baker put on a cowboy hat.
”Dude, no,” Jimmy said on a groan. “I’ll go if you take that shit off.” **********************************************************************************************************
People talk about Texas like it's a foreign country. People from Texas talk about the state like it's the best place on the planet. Being a California boy, I have to argue with those guys. California is like no place on earth, but seeing this rodeo, I suddenly understood what the Texans meant.

Upon entering the massive rodeo arena, all senses were immediately assaulted. My eyes could only see color. It was reds and blues and whites everywhere. My nose was picking up about forty different scents. I mean there was food in every direction. They had things like funnel cakes and giant burgers.

"Zach, where the fuck did you take us?" I asked. We stuck out like sore thumbs. The people running around us were dressed in jeans, button downs, cowboy boots, and hats. We were wearing black and shirts with the sleeves cut off. We had piercings and tattoos and colored hair. It was like being in a different world.

"The rodeo, Shadows. Calm down. Let's get to our seats. The events are supposed to start soon." He lead the four of us to our seats, down near the arena floor.

How did Baker get seats like this? It was mind-blogging that he had gone all out for this. For some reason, he really wanted to go to the rodeo. And what kind of friends would we be if we didn't indulge him?

"Okay, what kind of events happen at a rodeo?" Brian asked, sitting down and examining the score board above us.

"Um... something with bulls." Zach stared at the program they had handed us. "That's why we're hear, BriBear. We're going to learn about Texas."

I fought back an eye roll. Something weird had been dropped in his beer. Why was he so excited for something like this? We could have gone out to the downtown bars or stayed in the hotel and enjoyed a night in, but Zach just had to get rodeo tickets.

Johnny folded his arms over his chest. "This is gonna be Texas-sized bullshit."
*********************************************************************************************************
"Ladies and gentlemen, Luke Mark is the first rider to stay on the bull tonight!" The announcer was really making the rodeo great. He had a captivating voice. "He's been the leader all week. His score his and incredible 86!"

I hated to admit it, but Zach had been right. This was some of the most incredible feats of athleticism I had ever seen. The bull riders alone were enough to keep Jimmy and Johnny on the edge of their seats. Brian was engaged by the bronco riders, and Zach was loving it all. I couldn't get over the barrel racers. Those women were crazy.

"Let's bring out our next round of barrel racers!" The crew set up the three barrels and I leaned forward. The rodeo was almost over, so this was supposed to be the last set of the racers.

We watched two women race. The first lady out of the gate hit the second barrel. I knew absolutely nothing about how to score racing, but apparently, hitting the barrels was a time penalty. The second lady had been the fastest of the night. The Texans loved her because she was then George Straight racer.

"Oh god, Haylee is up now," someone behind me said, "I hate her music."

"Yeah, but she's a great racer."

Now, I was intrigued. I wondered what her music choice was.

"Houston, please get on your feet for Haylee Lewis!" The crowd roared. I guess even though some of them hated their music, they loved what she did with a horse.

"I TRY SHE SAID AS SHE WALKED AWAY!!!!" My eyes widened as our song blasted over the stadium as a brunette blasted out of the gate. She raced around the first barrel and the second in what seemed like the blink of an eye. The last barrel was behind her in yet another flash and then she was back in the gates.

"Houston, Haylee just ran in 16.5 seconds!" The crowd roared again. That had been the fastest time tonight.

"Dude, she just played Avenged for a barrel race," Brian said and looked at Zach. "I take it back. The rodeo was a good idea. Can we go to the fair after this?"

Johnny and Jimmy wholeheartedly agreed. And then all five of us were back to focusing on the calf roping. That was definitely harder to watch. But over all, I understood why Texas was like it was.

Notes

They'll meet soon, I promise.

Please rate and comment!