He had a long-sleeved sponsored shirt on, but it was made for a much smaller man so the fabric was skin tight on him.
And boy, did he look hot as hell in his getup.
Somebody elbowed me, and I got to work again, announcing first Tad Collins, followed shortly by Shane West.
Darby’s face was unimpressed, but he was there, ready and waiting, for anything to happen.
Nothing did.
The fourth rider was none other than Banks Valentine.
“Our fourth rider of the night is Banks Valentine.” I paused as the fans went wild. “Banks is currently sitting fat and happy in first place this season, with a lead so great that he technically doesn’t even need to ride tonight to hold it,” I blabbered on, grinning when Darby rolled his eyes. “Banks will be riding Cinnatwist. This is Cinnatwist’s first night tonight, so give him a hand!”
The crowd did, and I watched as Banks got settled on Cinnatwist’s back.
Darby tensed as they opened the gate, watching and waiting.
Jim took over, and I watched as Banks and Cinnatwist came out bucking.
He didn’t even wait for the gate to open all the way before he started to roll and toss his head back, hoping to buck Banks from his back.
Banks held on for four-point-two seconds before his hand slipped off of the rope.
He went flying forward as the bull’s head came up, ramming into Banks’ belly, knocking him straight to the ground.
Before the bull could so much as trample Banks, Darby was there, pulling Banks out of the way by his boot.
Banks rolled, face full of pain as he faced upward, but still didn’t get up.
Darby stepped in front of his brother’s prone form, protecting him.
And when Cinnatwist came back to rake Banks over a second time, Darby was there, protecting him all over again.
This time he took Cinnatwist’s head straight to the chest, and Darby went flying eight feet backward into the fence.
He landed hard, right in a DeWalt Tools sign, hitting so forcefully with the bulk of his body making contact with the metal and wood, it caused it to ring loudly through the stadium.
Banks rolled up to his hands and knees while the other two bullfighters tried to get Cinnatwist back into the pen, but again, the damn bull gave them a slip and came after Banks a third time.
Banks was up on his knees at the point that Darby came barreling in from the side and slapped the bull right across the face, turning his attention to him.
The bull turned his head and charged Darby.
I was up on my feet before I’d consciously realized that was what I wanted to do.
Seconds later, I was running down the length of the bleachers and heading to the fence, climbing it.
“Banks!” I screamed, hoping he would hear me.
Banks’ head lifted, and he stared at me with unseeing eyes.
“Come here!” I screamed.
Banks got up onto his knees, and then further onto his feet.
He weaved like a drunken college girl wearing heels.
“Come on!” I screamed.
My throat burned as I looked behind Banks to see Darby trying to distract the bull.
Unfortunately, Banks was where the bull would normally head to get out of the arena.
Meaning that Darby had to distract him until we could get Banks moved.
And the other two fighters were also helping, one limping badly, and the other one waving his red shirt like a flag.
All three trying to keep the bull occupied long enough for Banks to get out.
Finally, the crew was able to open up a different exit for the bull, and Darby took off into the hole they’d opened up in the fencing.
I looked around just as the paramedics made it to Banks before he collapsed.
Darby was up and over the fence, running toward Banks before he’d even finished falling to the ground.
He slid to his knees in the dirt beside his brother, and I saw the raw, stark terror on his face as he got down to his elbows and spoke quietly to his brother.
Darby loved his family.
He may have had a falling out with them, but he loved them.
It was more than obvious to not just me, but to the entire fucking stadium.
Jim started talking, spouting off random nonsense facts about the Valentine boys and their time in the rodeo circuit.
And I tuned him out, my eyes staying solidly on Darby.
Soon after the thought entered my head, Banks pushed away one of the medics and sat up.
Darby helped him, supporting his back.
Darby pressed his head to his brother’s and whispered something low in his ear causing Banks to laugh.
He groaned moments after that, then pushed away the medics again and attempted to stand.
Darby was up and pulling Banks to his feet in the next second.
Banks didn’t wobble this time and did manage to get out of the arena on his own.
I met them all down at the lower entrance and fidgeted nervously with my hands.