Reckless Rogue
Part 11

by Wizzy

DISCLAIMERS: See Part 1

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Part 11

The photo shoot was behind Terri and several TV appearances had been done.  She was now headed for the last contract she had to fulfill in California.  She was being elected into the rodeo’s Hall of Fame on the last night of the finals rodeo.  Everybody who was anybody would be there.  Terri reminded herself daily that she was going home to Taylor very soon and with this one last appearance she would be in the arms of the woman she had fallen in love with. 

They arrived in San Francisco late Wednesday evening.  Checking into their hotel, they agreed to separate rooms.  This was San Francisco after all and to Michelle, who was now single, the possibilities were an endless sea of Stetsons and skin tight Levi’s.  

 “Terri, I think you should join us tonight.  It’s not healthy to sit in your room and brood.”  Michelle grabbed her arm to stop her from rolling over on the bed she was sprawled out on.   

“I dare you!”   

Terri’s eyes snapped open.   

“You wouldn’t.”  She snapped back  

“Oh yes I would.  I dare you!  Meet me in the lobby in one hour.  If you’re not there, I’ll tell everyone at the bar what room you’re in.”  She snapped back as she slammed the door to her room in defiance. 

Terri walked in as the whole bar was screaming her nickname. Several women grabbed her for a hug or a kiss.  Her eyes grew angry as she looked at Michelle.  

 “You sumbitch, I’ll get you for this.”  She yelled at her as she was pulled out on the dance floor by a sexy looking redhead who danced a little too close for her liking. 

As a rule she didn’t drink.  Tonight was the exception to the rule.  As she relaxed and let her hair down, she had a ball.   

Over half the bar followed them to the party at the rodeo grounds.  Sunday the arena would have the Hall of Fame awards banquet.  But now it was filled with bodies line dancing.

“Damn Terri, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”  Michelle grinned at her.  Terri tipped her hat lower.  

“I think I’m drunk because that redhead is mighty fine looking.”  Terri growled.  

“Jeez Ter, that’s Martina.  She’s the one who registers everyone for the daily events.  Careful of her.  She’s a bitch, a conniving one at that.”   

The words were lost on deaf ears as Terri stopped two feet in front of Martina.  She held out her hand.   

“Care to dance?” 

********************************************************** 

Terri woke to a pounding in her head and the sound of someone breaking down her door.   

“Jesus H. Christ on a fucking cracker, hang on a minute” she yelled, holding her head in her hand.  Michelle shoved the door open as Terri unlocked it.  

 “You have some major explaining to do Terri.”  The anger escalating in her voice.   

“What the hell are you talking about Mich?”  Terri dug for some aspirin in her bag.  

 “This, Gods be damn you.”  Michelle shoved the newspaper in front of her.  Terri’s hand flew to her head.  

 “Fuck.”  Terri read the big bold print.  The ‘Reckless Rogue’ to ride again!   

“That bitch, she did this.  I’m not riding, there’s no way. Besides, I’m not in shape.”   

“Terri, that’s not the half of it.  Take a look on the next page.”  Terri about fainted.  There in full color was Martina wrapped tightly in her arms in a full paged picture. “This is not only printed in the local newspaper but its on TV and posted all over the internet as of early this morning.” 

 “I’m going to kill her. Damn it!  What am I going to do?  Taylor will see this.  It’s not what it looks like.  She used me.  She set me up.  Damn it Michelle! What am I going to do?”   

“Wel,l first you’re going to shower.  Then you are going to call Taylor.  Explain it to her.  Then you and I are going to go down to the main office and sign up.  We’ll show that bitch.” 

“Michelle I don’t think I can do it.  I’m not sure I want to.”  Her voice shook with fear.   

“Bullshit! You can and we will.  We have no choice.  She started this.  We are going to ride and then we publicly expose her.  But you need a shower and call Taylor.  I’ll be back in an hour or so.  Don’t step foot out this door.  The news crew is hanging around wanting to talk to you.  “Are you ready to kick some ass?” 

“I....I....don’t know.  I have to....talk to Tay....lor.”  She knew a shower would help her think better and then she’d call Taylor. 

The icy blue eyes were blood shot and full of anger as she punched the buttons on her cell phone.   

“This is Taylor.” A soft southern drawl came across the line. 

“Taylor, this is Terri.”  Terri’s heart was beating faster.  It never failed to do so when she heard Taylor’s voice.  

 “Do you have a minute to talk?” Terri rushed her words to keep from stuttering.  

“Are you ok?”  Taylor’s voice betrayed her worry.  

 “I’m fine Taylor, but something happened.  I want you to hear it from me and not the papers.  If you will just listen for a minute I’ll try and explain.”  Terri shut her eyes waiting for Taylor to give her the sign to continue.   

“O.K. I’m in my office.  So what’s wrong?  Are you sure you’re ok?”   

“Taylor, I’m fine, just a little hung-over.” 

“HUNGOVER?” Taylor’s voice went up a few octaves as she sat straight up in her high backed chair. 

“Taylor, please don’t yell into the phone and please let me explain. I had a few drinks last night at the bar. Then Michelle and I went over to rodeo party held at the arena. Well I got to drinking and dancing, and I guess I had one to many.  This morning I woke up to pounding not only in my head but on my hotel door as well.” Terri rushed to get the words out before Taylor hung up on her.  

“I do not remember even leaving the arena.  I don’t remember a thing till this morning when Michelle woke me up, showing me this morning’s paper.  It has a picture of me dancing with the woman who takes the entry fees. I was suckered into something that I don’t remember.” Terri rushed to get the words out before she lost her nerve to tell Taylor what was going on.  

“There’s a picture of me and another woman slow dancing and the article under it announces that I am to ride this weekend. I guess Martina took advantage of me being drunk or maybe I did say I would ride. I don’t know, but if I did say it then I've got to ride. If I don’t, then I go back on my word. I guess I’ll register to ride this weekend and well I just wanted you to know before you saw it on the news or in the papers.”  Terri held her breath waiting for Taylor to respond to what she had just confessed. 

“Well Terri, I am not sure why you’re even telling me this or what you expect me to say or do.” Taylor’s voice held a tinge of anger, “What are you going to do?” Taylor knew they had never talked about their deeper feelings to each other so she didn’t want her anger to show through. 

“One reason I am telling you I didn’t want you to think it was something more then a dance.” Terri heatedly replied. Without as much as a breath of air she continued. 

“The second reason I am telling you this is because I... well I need you. I know you ca...nt be here, but I just needed you to know that. And the last reason is because it’s been in the papers that both Michelle and I are going to ride. I am now committed to do it. I don’t want to but I have no choice. I won’t let that bitch ruin me or my name Taylor. I just hope you can understand that.” 

“Sweetheart, there’s nothing to really forgive.” Taylor’s heart fell deeply in love with Terri at the words she had spoken. “I have no hold on you Terri but you have relieved what I was thinking. I won’t say I am not worried about you riding so soon after recovering from last years death escape. In fact it scares the living hell out of me. But I know at this very minute I couldn’t love you more and I wish I could be with you right now.” 

Terri laughed, “Well right now it’s not a pretty sight.”

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, her normal ice blue eyes blood shot and barely open and dark circles under them gave her a horribly hung over look. She realized she disliked herself more right then than she ever had. 

Taylor could tell Terri was beating herself up over the events of the night before. She began to cancel appointments clearing her schedule for the next week as she listened to Terri mumble.  

“Well Taylor, Michelle is here so I had better go get myself cleaned up and ready to go. I have to go face the music I guess. I’ll try calling you tonight.” Taylor watched as Michelle flopped down on her bed waiting for her to finish her phone call. 

“Terri, please be careful what you say while in front of the reporters and keep your temper under a tight rein. And remember, I am here for you and I do love you.” 

“Tha...nk you. I...ah... gotta go. I’ll try and call you tonight if I get a chance. Bye.” Terri hit the end button on her cell phone and picked up the coffee Michelle had set in front of her. Sipping the hot liquid while trying to open the bottle of aspirin Terri glared at Michelle. 

“You ready to ride this weekend?”  

“Ter, you need to eat something first then we will think about riding this weekend.” Michelle tossed an egg muffin at her and smiled. 

“Oh... I don’t think I can Mich.” Terri snapped back at her. 

“Shut up and eat that, we have a press conference in ten minutes. And for Goddess’s sakes button up your shirt correctly and let’s go.” Michelle stated as she opened the door to the room. “Keep your hat pulled low to shade the dark raccoon eyes you’ve got going on. They won’t know you’re hung over that way.” She started laughing as Terri reach in her bag next to the door and pulled out her shaded sunglasses and settled her black Stetson back down low on her head. 

“Better?” 

“Much, let’s go kick some ass girlfriend.” Michelle hooked her arm through Terri’s and headed down to the lobby where the press conference was being held. 

The room was packed with TV reporters and newspaper reporters all mixed with other competitors. The reporters flung questions at both Terri and Michelle as they entered the room.  

As Terri walked up closer to the front of the small stage she couldn’t help but notice the red mark on Martina’s neck. 

“Shit Mich, look at her neck. Tell me I did not do that.” Terri growled as she yanked Michelle in close to her. 

“No you didn’t. Now hush before someone hears you.” Michelle whispered as Martina got everyone’s attention. 

“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, we called this conference to announce that Terri Lynne Cantrell and Michelle Presario will compete in the final rodeo of this season. Ladies please step up and meet the press.” Martina waved her hand at the two women standing next to the small stage. Martina could see the deadpanned expression on Terri’s face and as she brushed by her she could hear the low growl Terri gave her. Taking the stage sent the reports into a shouting match to get Terri’s attention. She held up a hand and asked for silence.

”Ok people I am not a Goddess so lets start with one question at a time. I will pick who goes first.” Terri snapped angrily and scanned the crowd of flashing cameras, catching a familiar face she pointed to a short bald man, “Bobby, you go first.” 

“Thank you Terri,” He had always enjoyed talking with her and she treated him with respect and honesty. “It’s good to see you have recovered from you death defying ride. Are you worried how the older injuries will effect your riding this weekend?” 

“Good to see you too Bobby and thanks for coming today. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about the last ride I had and how it might handicap me on this go-round. But when you are tricked into doing something, sometimes you’ve got to bite the bullet so to speak and block the pain just to prove you won’t be defeated.” Terri grinned inwardly as she watched Martina sink lower in her chair.  

She answered several more questions and sooner or later she knew she would have to face the one reporter she disliked the most. As Terri turned to smile across the crowd at Martina, she knew Denise would have picked up on the hints she had fed Bobby. 

“Ok people I have time for one last question. Denise you had better make it a good one.” Terri growled into the microphone. Terri caught Martina heading for the side door, “Martina? Please don’t leave just yet. I am sure Denise will want to speak with you after I am done. Go ahead Denise and make it quick.” 

“Glad to see your back to your ornery self T, but please explain to the media what you mean by being tricked into this?” Denise winked at Terri, who took the question and ran with it.  

 “Well, Denise you know I really can’t prove this but it was not my intention to compete anymore.  Somehow y’all got that info from someone who decided to take it upon themselves to lie to you.” Terri’s voice filed with sarcasm.     

The crowd went silent as Terri caught her temper in time not to wreck the interview.   

“There is not only the fact that you all were lied to, but the picture in this mornings paper is not correct either.  I will ride this weekend. I will not let the rodeo fans go home disappointed but any money I might win this weekend will be donated to the abused women’s shelter here in California.”   

Terri looked over at Martina, glaring at her, as she got her point across.  She wanted nothing more than to throttle her.   

“Martina, I think these folks want to ask you some questions.  As for the rest of you, I’ll see you all in the arena.”  She stepped down from the stage, grabbed Michelle, and left the room. 

“Come on before I beat the hell out of her.”  Terri headed to the back of the room, stopping in front of Denise, “I’m glad for once in my life you were here “D”.  Now don’t let her fool you.  She got me into this mess, and I’m going to finish it.  When this is all over I may just call you and give you the interview you’ve been wanting for years.” 

Denise stood there stunned by Terri’s words.  She had some clue as to what Terri meant.  She turned her attention back to Martina who was under the gun by several reporters. 

Terri and Michelle paid the fees to ride the weekend events, had some lunch, and went to see about their rides for the opening ceremonies.  Michelle pulled a ride in the first round of the night. Terri didn’t ride until the next day. 

“I’d give anything for Taylor to be here.”  Terri commented as they headed back to the hotel to get an hour of sleep before Michelle had to ride.   

Michelle drew the bull’s number from the hat and waited her turn.  She checked the ropes one more time and then handed them to the gateman.  She climbed into the chute, saying a silent prayer. 

This was a new bull.  She had no idea as to how he would come out of the chute.  She sat down on the broad back, tightened the rope on her right hand, adjusted her mouth piece and then yelled “Out!” 

The bull hesitated for a second. Michelle dug her heels into his sides.  He came out of the chute into a hard right spin.  Her head snapped hard to the outside of the spin almost unseating her.  She over calculated him and his spin.   

Managing to regain her balance, the bull turned to the left, charging at the clown trying to help Michelle to regain balance.  Eight seconds seemed like a life time for Michelle.  As the bull turned back right, he had her hanging off his side but at the last second the buzzer sounded.  It wasn’t a pretty ride but she had lasted the eight seconds.  Michelle let go and hit the ground hard.  She staggered to her feet.   

Terri waited for the score to be posted on the billboard.  87 wasn’t to bad for a new bull. She held the gate open for Michelle as she limped out of the arena.   

“Terri, I’m too old for this shit.  This is it for me.  After this weekend I’m buying a farm and never leaving it.” 

Terri laughed, “Me too buddy, me too!”

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