"And I'm willing to go full bitch," Cody said.
"Yeah, because the one pullin' the strings ain't the one they're gonna suspect." That made everyone look at me, but I waved them off. "Just trust me on this one. Ty, Renato, and Cody took the spotlight, but they aren't the powerhouse here."
"Jake," Cody realized.
I nodded. "Yeah, and I know why. It's a good why, so you trust that boy, rookie."
"Yes, mentor," she teased, sticking her tongue out at me.
Which was when Isaac lazily lifted a hand. "So I have a question for Max. What happens if this works? For us, I mean?"
"Deviant is offering a payment for each show," Max said. "This will be on top of the wages the PBR pays you. Each of you will get a bonus for saying 'deviant' to the fans. Doesn't matter if that's in the arena or the cameras. I'm going to push for that appearance fee to be high enough to pay for flights in and out every weekend. That way you two can go home if you want. Well, you too, Tanner. I just didn't think you'd need it."
"Not any time soon," Tanner said, flashing me a little smile.
"Aww, they're cute," Isaac teased.
"Shit," Max muttered. Then he realized that was out loud and sucked in a breath. "Sorry!"
"Shit," I drawled, mimicking him. "Ain't like none of us cuss at all, Max. Cody's sweet lil' ears might burn off or somethin'."
She giggled right on cue. "Right." Then she looked over at the guys. "And speaking of burning. It's about dinnertime. Have you two eaten yet? Max?"
"I haven't," Max said.
"Can I buy dinner for everyone?" Cody asked. "I'm pretty sure Tanner's dying to catch up, and I'd like to be seen with the most popular men in the PBR right now."
"There's a nice restaurant upstairs," Max said.
"Room service is an option too," I pointed out.
"Upstairs," Cody decided. "Mostly because I want to buy everyone a drink." Then she looked over at me. "And you are going to hold my hand."
"Me?" I immediately looked at Tanner.
But Cody leaned in to catch my chin, forcing me to look at her. "We're all coming out this weekend, right? Think of this like the warm-up, J.D. I'm with you and him. Let them figure the rest out - if anyone's even here."
"Some are," Max said.
And my girl canted her head a bit, lookin' at me like she'd just thrown down a big ol' dare. I could feel my lips curling, because I liked that. Fuck, Ilovedit when she got all badass on me. I just didn't wanna step on any toes with Tanner, since it might make shit hard for him.
"Do it," Jorge said.
"Yeah, means we can get our guy back for a bit," Isaac said.
So I nodded, pushing to my feet so I could offer her a hand. "Cody, will you be my date for dinner?"
"Nope," she said, but that smile on her pretty little lips was turning into a grin. "But you can be mine. I'm buying, remember? I'm one ofthosesorts of girls."
"Rookie, I think I raised ya up right. Will you buy me dinner? I'll even be a good boy."
"Oh-ho!" Isaac crowed, cackling at us.
From the corner of my eye, I could see Max blushing, but he was smiling too, so I figured that meant he didn't mind none. Naw, the thing that made me sure I wasn't fucking this up was that soft expression Tanner was giving us. The one that looked a whole lot like he was proud.
So Cody slapped her hand in mine, letting me lift her to her feet. "I prefer you when you're bad." Then she reached out for Tanner. "You're the good one."
"Sugar, spice, and everything nice," Tanner said with a wink.
