"Get It Straight, Cowboy!"
Author: GMoM66
Summary: (AU) What would have happened if Caleb had never answered his phone when he's meeting up with Kelley for their first date? Would there have been a relationship between them? Would he have trained her for Bull riding? Well this is a Caleb O'Dell & Kelly James dream relationship come true.
Caleb was a determined man of steel sitting on one of the angriest beasts he'd ever sat on. He felt like a volcano shaking and shuddering, under the pressure of anticipated excitement bubbling forth. Heart pounding, sweat pouring, adrenaline running wild like the agitated beast he sat on. Triton the bull thrashed, reared and angrily snorted, like the 'OLD FAITHFUL' geyser in Wyoming, but Caleb was eager for this wild ride to begin. Conquering this beast meant more to him than just another ride to be won. He had to prove to himself that he could indeed get beyond any storm life threw at him, including Ashley!
The announcer blurted out every high and low of Caleb's career, as the crowd cheered wild with lively anticipation. This was it, Caleb shouted, "GO"!
The chute gate opened, and they were off. Triton jolted forward with a snap, whipping him this way and that way, ferociously bucking Caleb with all his might. Triton's head dropped low while his hind end flung out in a snap, high in the sky. Caleb's focus was on staying centered, with his right hand tautly tied and wrapped, and his free arm swinging high, ready as a counter balance. With each spin to the left then suddenly to the right Caleb managed to hang on with all he had for this 8 second wild whirl.
Caleb looked fierce while keeping his balance, as if he were a part of Triton, not just a rider. When he heard the buzzer Caleb jumped off. Triton quickly turned and charged at Caleb, who was now in a flying leap to the top of the rail. He flung Himself in one swift motion over the top and to the other side just in time. The crowd went nuts as Caleb thrust his hat in a wave and burst with excitement, and just then the announcer hollered in the loud speaker, "Caleb Odell Has Done It! With a Score Of 85, That Pushes Him Straight To The Top. Well Done Young Man! Well Done!" The crowd went berserk.
Next up, waiting in the chute, was Luke Collins, a long time Rodeo friend of Caleb's. If anyone was going to beat Caleb it was this guy.
As luck would have it, Luke drew the biggest and meanest of all bulls, aptly named 'Big Ugly Critter'. Triton was nothing compared to him in size, but what Triton lacked in size he sure made up for in speed. Pound for pound Big Ugly Critter stood out among the rest and while many of the guys wanted to draw this bull, Luke was not so eager. Big Ugly Critter's beastly anger and ferocious disposition matched his size, causing Luke's nerves to be unraveled.
Luke wasn't mentally prepared for this bull, but here he was, fear like a frothy mixture of adrenaline and bewilderment. His hands were trembling while his right hand was being wrapped taut and secure. The rope beneath the bull was held tight by other cowboys as he adjusted his position and his gloved hand in the wrap. Luke's mind was a fog of fear, like a movie in slow motion he scanned the crowd while Big Ugly Critter shifted, thrashed and reared beneath him. Luke swiftly jammed his leg into position, reorienting himself, and as soon as the announcer finished his introduction Luke simply hollered, "LET'S GO!"
As soon as the chute gate swung open Big Ugly Critter bucked forward, and they were off, with a mighty jolt and a savage lunge he twisted and flicked his hind end up. Luke leaned too far forward over the bull's shoulders while he was coming down. Big Ugly Critter's front end suddenly came up throwing his head back so it collided with Luke's forehead. He was knocked unconscious, bleeding, and tossed like a rag doll, but still attached. Loud Gasps and a long hush fell over the crowd. Luke was dragged throughout the arena while the other cowboys and rodeo clowns swiftly scattered in all directions to somehow corral the beast and set Luke's limp body free. It worked and Luke dropped like a sack of potatoes on the dirt, motionless. Big Ugly Critter came back with lightning speed reaction at Luke, trampling him before being corralled out of the arena.
"LUKE…!" Caleb shouted from the stands. "Someone help him!" Helplessly looking around for some medical attention, all Caleb could do was watch in disbelief. Grabbing his head in fear Caleb continued shouting to his friend, "C'MON MAN. Wake UP! Luke…Wake Up!"
The medical team arrived as Caleb watched in grieved terror. It brought back the memory of, his own accident.
After taking Luke's vitals, the medical team carefully and strategically placed Luke on a stretcher and together with careful precision they lifted and carried him to the waiting ambulance outside. Caleb shakenly stunned asked one of the assistants, "Where are you taking him?" he replied, "UT Medical Center!" He quickly picked up his winnings and went to UT Medical Center which was a 9 minute drive from where they were.
To be continued