at the trailer. Coming? Got 2 find Mack
Hudson
wait for me
Hudson was jogging his way a moment later. “Jack. Hey. You okay?”
“Worried about Mother. You’re coming with me, right? Belinda Jackson’s going to keep an eye on the horses for me so I don’t have to keep them in the hospital.” He hated waiting in emergency rooms.
Hudson nodded, already moving to the passenger side of his truck. “Let’s go.”
“Let me put my girl up.” He tossed Hudson his phone. “Can you find out where he’s been taken? Sid will know.”
Hudson caught it easily, and thumbed in his passcode, which hadn’t changed in a hundred years. “Got it. What a fucking night, huh?” Hudson was texting while he spoke.
“Yeah. Everything was horked. Scott ended up on top. Two more rides and he can take the event.” He got Miss Princess settled, checked Ghost, and then unhooked the trailer.
“I thought Ellie was going to pass out worrying about him, but he stayed upright. So, Sid says UCI… I’ve got directions.” Hudson climbed into the truck.
“Thanks, darlin’. You need anything to eat on the way? I can pull through a Mickey D’s or Taco Bell or something.” He was less hungry than he was thirsty, if he was honest.
“I’m not hungry, but if it’s easy, I’d love a Coke.” Hudson touched his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “I know you’re anxious to get to Mackey.”
“I just want to make sure he’s good. Sid’s there for him now, but he’s my oldest friend. I’ll get Cokes.”
“I know. I don’t even know what to say. It was chaos out there tonight.”
He got them moving. “It’s like that sometimes. Some nights are just fucked up. I used to try and figure it, but you know, I don’t know that I can. I’m not smart like you. I’m more… from the gut.”
Hudson’s hand dropped to his thigh. “I don’t think smart figures into this, babe. It’s just a… vibe thing. Every sport has off nights. It’s just that most aren’t this dangerous when that happens.”
“No shit on that.” Hudson’s hand was warm, solid as hell, and he liked feeling it. “How’d your meeting deal go?”
“Good. I’m getting great feedback, some new ideas… the riders know what they want for sure. I figured everyone would have different priorities, but mostly they all have the same issues. But I need to get back to the lab and work on custom fit. It’s early in development so, all good stuff.” Hudson sounded pretty jazzed about what he was doing.
“Good for you. I bet you’ll be famous in rodeo circles in no time.” And he’d deserve it too. Hudson was a smart cookie.
“Nah.” Hudson chuckled as they pulled into the drive-through. “I’m not trying to be famous, just trying to be… involved. Maybe help a little. I don’t need famous.”
“Me either.” He loved his job—riding, roping, helping. No one knew who he was but the cowboys.
“You’re famous among the riders, the families… that’s enough, right?”
“Yes. It’s more than enough.” And he was happy as a pig in shit.
He got their Cokes, and he stuck a thing of French fries on the dash, which Hudson immediately reached for. Hudson could never resist fries.
“Sid says they’re still evaluating Mackey,” Hudson said, looking at his phone, mouth full of fries.
“Dammit. He’s awake though, right?”
Hudson texted and his thumbs went still as he waited for a response. “Uh. Sid says ‘mostly’.” Hudson glanced at him.
“Well, mostly isn’t no, I reckon. His poor brain gets jostled around a lot.”
“I guess that’s what happens when that gene for self-preservation is missing. He’s brave I guess, but… damn.” Hudson shrugged. “Take a left up here, and your first right. Almost there.”
“On it.” He could see the hospital now, and his muscles started to clench. Lord, he hoped Mackey wasn’t real addled.