Last of the Bad Joses — James Lucas

Luke Shaver moves to the small central Texas town of Sneed when he is still just a child. He has had a horrendous home life. Both of his parents are abusive, and Luke doesn't think he will ever find a way to escape.

He's wrong. A new opportunity comes along in the form of Chip Barnett, his best friend, and Chip's father, Al. When Luke is kicked out of his house, Chip and Al take him in on their thirty-eight-thousand-acre ranch. Luke, Chip, and Billy Ray, the ranch foreman's son, become closer than brothers.

The three best friends go their separate ways after high school. Luke becomes a world-class bull rider and rancher, Billy Ray becomes a professional football player, and Chip makes a bad investment and loses his entire family fortune. When Luke attends the grand opening of Chip's new club, he sees how far his friend has fallen.

Chip's alcohol and cocaine addictions, combined with his obsession with his father's success, have put him in the crosshairs of a very dangerous businessman. Chip finds himself on an adventure that takes him clear across the United States in an attempt to outrun his tormentors.