"I'm implying that maybe deviant behavior isn't something to be ashamed of."
"I do like the logo," I admitted. "But I'm not sure we can even wear these. They aren't official gear."
"But would you?" Chance pressed.
Jorge folded up the one he was holding. "Why? And no, I'm not worried about the colors, the branding, or anything else. I know your company, and I don't have a problem with it, but what are you getting at, Mr. Hunter?"
"Chance," he corrected again. "And I want to break into the PBR. The demographic of the fans is exactly the age range I'm trying to reach. The conversion we've gotten from Cody has been exceptional - which I intend to use as my reasoning when I speak to Donald Merrill tomorrow."
"Why?" J.D. demanded.
"Because I want to sponsor the bullfighters," Chance said. "Apparently, Red Bull's contract has expired, and they're now working to get a better deal. The drink makers want to pay less, and the PBR wants to make more. Well, I have more. I also know how to wave money around and make people notice, but if I'm doing this, I'm doing it for the underdogs. The ones who don't fit in, who need some representation, and those looking for an outlet where they can escape. I want crazy. I want determined. Most of all, I want to make it very clear that teamwork is overpowered in sports, in games, and definitely in real life."
"Shit..." Jorge breathed. "You want to sponsor us? But they won't let us work."
"They'll let you and Isaac," I shot back. "Guys, this is a good deal. Take it, run with Peter for the rest of the season, and - "
"Nope," Chance said, cutting me off. "My deal? I'm going to offer them a stupid amount of money, but with a very big condition." And he pointed right at me. "I want the bullfighters who make the crowd cheer. I want the man who is in every PBR video with his feet off the ground. I want the 'wolf pack,' as you call yourselves."
"And when they say no?" Cody asked.
"Then I say no deal," Chance said. Then he waved that away and smirked at J.D. as he got comfortable on the arm of thechair. "Apparently, I'm as likely to flirt with you as your girl, so relax." Then he looked back at us. "I have a meeting with the directors of the PBR tomorrow. Here." And he pointed across the room. "At that fancy lounge they have for us. I want you three to come. I want to make my case. But before I can do that, I need to make sure you're willing to do this, to make a scene, and to listen as those assholes try to cut you down to change my mind."
"Fuck 'em," Isaac said.
"No," I grunted, stopping my guys before they could get started. "Stop and think about this. J.D. and I aren't going to be hiding it anymore. He's coming out in Nashville."
"The event," Rhaven told Chance, "not the city."
"Gotcha," Chance said.
But I kept going. "The three of us aren't going to be popular. Ty has been working to convince the riders it doesn't matter, but when J.D. admits that he fucks men? Yeah, it's all going to blow up again, and you're talking about us wearing rainbows?"
"Fuck yeah, I am!" Jorge snapped.
"Same," Isaac agreed. "Tanner, I don't know how to break this to you, but I'm not going to be hurt if people call me names. I'm still straight. I'll still be working. I also have no problem counting to one Mississippi if anyone has an issue with it."
"They can learn, or they can hurt," Jorge agreed. "And did you see that shirt? Rescue Squad, Tanner. Not matadors, or bullfighters. Not even 'Arena Crew' or some shit. Sure, they put their logo in there, but Deviant Rescue Squad? Yeah, I can embrace being called that, because it's what we'resupposedto do! It's what those fuckers aren't doing now."
"And he's saying he has our backs," Isaac pointed out. "Tanner, I don'twantto work with Peter, or Charlie, or Stephen. We picked you. We're a team, the three of us, and if we can get you back, fuck yeah, I'm going to look like a whole-ass rainbowfor it. You know why? Because maybe some gay kid is watching, thinking he can't ever get into this because it's not done. Or maybe some girl will think the colors are pretty and want to know more about the animals. I don't even care, because this thing we're doing now isn't working.Wearen't working because those assholes have their heads shoved so far up in your sex life it's not fucking funny!"
"And I hate that," Chance said. "I fucking hate people who think any of us should follow the rules they made up, just because they said so. Ihateknowing it encourages people to think they're better because they're 'normal' or 'right' - and let's not even get into the fucking religious aspect of it."
"No shit," Braden grumbled.
"Becausemyteam," Chance continued, "isn't going to check those boxes, but you watch them kiss our asses."
"I'm trans," Rhaven said. "And yes, I asked for this chance. I wanted to get involved in some outreach stuff."
"Bi," Braden said.
Which made Cody duck her head and giggle. I saw when Rhaven caught her eye, getting the impression those two had talked about something.
"Yeah, he's the bi one. The straight one doesn't work for us," Rhaven admitted.
"Wait, what?" I asked.
"She's got two boyfriends too," Cody explained.
