Lex Cunningham sat on the black and white piebald paint horse in the chute. His mount pawed the ground and snorted, anxious to be freed as the crowd roared and cheered in anticipation. Centering his mind, Lex took a deep breath and gave a nod to the chute man, who tripped the lever.

The steer was released and raced out into the pen. The mounted hazer rode alongside the steer, making sure it ran in a straight line. When the animal hit the end of the barrier rope attached to its neck, the rope popped off, releasing the latch of the chute where Lex and his mount nervously waited.

The gate swung open and the paint was off in a flash, pursuing the steer across the arena. Lex caught up with the animal, leaned off the side of his galloping horse, and grabbed the steer by its horns. Pulled from his horse, he planted his heels in the dirt, slowing the steer. Taking one hand off the horns, he reached around and grabbed the steer by the nose, pulling the animal off-balance and throwing it to the ground.

Once all four legs were in the air, an official waved a flag. Lex released the animal and it trotted off. Lex got to his feet and brushed the dust off his jeans with his hat.

“Time on that run, three point seven six seconds. Lex Cunningham has just laid down the new time to beat.”

Lex waved to the cheering crowd and danced a little jig in the middle of the pen. That was his best time ever. He jogged to the side of the arena and deftly leapt the fence. As he hit the ground, he was immediately lifted off his feet and spun around in the air.

“God damn, ya old mother fucker! Ya went and beat me!”

Lex, who, at twenty-eight, was anything but old, laughed.

“Yeah, I did!” Lex sang out as he was lowered to the ground and pulled into a bear hug by Trent Boxwood.

Trent’s hard pecs pressed against Lex’s own muscular chest, giving Lex a thrill of excitement.

“That makes it one for each of us,” Trent said as he released Lex, keeping his hands on the cowboy’s shoulders. “I took the calf ropin’ and y’all won the bulldoggin’.”

“I ain’t won this thing yet,” Lex protested, although he knew his time was going to be tough to beat. “Will and Sonny have to ride yet and they’re pretty damn good.”

“Hell, man, they never timed out better than you. Ya got this one, man,” Trent said.

Groans from the arena caused Lex and Trent to look over the fence into the pen. Will Birk had misjudged his leap from his horse and had missed the steer. They watched as the frustrated cowboy got up from the dirt and angrily dusted off his jeans.

“No time on that ride,” the announcer said. “Next up, our last rider in this class, number sixty-three, Sonny Hammill.”

Trent and Lex stood at the rail and watched as Sonny came racing out of the chute. He caught up with the steer in good time and easily wrestled it to the ground.

“Dang,” Lex said. “That was a good run. Never seen him do it that good.” He bit his lower lip nervously.

Before he could get too anxious, however, the loud speaker barked, “Time on that ride, three point nine nine.” Lex had beaten Will by twenty-three one-hundredths of a second.

“See? What did I tell ya!” Trent put a hand on Lex’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Now we’ll settle this thing tomorrow with bronc riding.” He laughed.

“Ya bet we will, and I’ll beat the pants off ya!” Lex said over the roar of the crowd who were responding to the announcement that he’d won the bulldogging competition.

The two men were friends, but fierce competitors. They were vying for the All-Around Cowboy award at that week’s stop on the rodeo circuit: three events of the cowboy’s choice, best cumulative score winning the silver championship buckle.

Lex vaulted the fence into the arena and waved to the cheering crowd. He then climbed back out again and accepted the congratulations from several cowboys.

After the other competitors dispersed, Lex and Trent walked back to the stables to check on their horses.

Trent once again put his hand on Lex’s shoulder and squeezed the back of his neck. “How’s about I take ya out and get ya drunk tonight so I have the advantage tomorrow?”

“In your dreams, cowboy,” Lex said with a chuckle. “Bronc bustin’ is my best event. I could beat you blind-ass wasted.”

“We’ll see about that,” Trent retorted. “How about it? Want to go out with me?”

“Yeah, sure!”

* * * *

Back in his motel room, Lex showered as he got ready for his date with Trent. Was it a date? He wasn’t sure. As the warm water cascaded down his muscular frame he thought about his friend, the warm spray and images of the sexy cowboy causing his cock to stir.

God, I wish I knew for sure, Lex mused as he played with his cock and balls. He’s always huggin’ me after a ride and he puts his hands on me a lot. And he’s so goddamned hot!

Lex’s dick was now at full attention.