Cody leaned back so she could reach around J.D. and clasp my arm. "How do we help, Jake?"
"I don't actually know," I admitted. "Last week, I would've said this can't get out. This week? Well, Ty's been doing his best to convince me to stop playing it safe. I just don't want to put Donald Merrill in a no-win situation. One where he'll blow everything up for us because I blew it up for him."
"And yet," Isaac said, "blackmail is a valid option. I mean, the directors used it against Tanner."
"And we're definitely coming out this weekend," Tanner told me. "All three of us, because Cody's going to get caught in the middle of this."
"It's an open relationship," J.D. countered. "Means she might get out of it. I mean, if someone points out that she's just having a bit of fun like the rest of us guys do."
"I can do that," Ty agreed.
"No!" Cody hissed at J.D.
"Cody," Tanner said, "it's probably safer. They really don't need a reason to fuck with you any more."
"But no!" she insisted. "I told you. I'm good with burning it down. All of it, guys."
"And I will still push," Ty said gently. "I will say that, because if it keeps you riding, then it means everyone wins, Cody. The first woman? The first men to come out as... well, whatever that ends up as."
"It'll be gay," I said. "Sadly, it's too easy to say gay, and too hard for half these guys to realize there are more than just two options, so they'll be gay by Saturday."
"And still not gay," Tanner said.
But I waved that off. "We know, man. I promise we know, but that's what you need to brace for. And yeah, the reporters will probably all ask you about what it's like to be the first openly gay bullfighter or some shit. Rider for you, J.D."
"I can roll with that," J.D. said. "I mean, my gayness is so weak I made a name by kicking ass. So yeah."
"I mean, you did tell me to ride like I fuck," Cody joked.
Which made me turn away, trying to bite back a laugh. Yeah, that sounded just like J.D. I had to clear my throat before I could talk in a normal voice again.
"So, with all of this, do we know what we're doing?"
"Not really," Jorge admitted.
"I know one thing," Cody said. "You two need a date. A real one - without me."
"Naw..." J.D. tried.
But Tanner was nodding. "Yeah, I like that."
"Yeah, but I'm not leaving Cody here alone," J.D. countered. "Fuck, Tanner. The shit we've all gotten? And that room might be nice, but alone is still boring."
"We can hang," I told Cody.
"And I want to head to the bar when the guys start showing up," Jorge said. "I mean, Cody, you can be my chaperone, right? Make sure Aubree knows I'm being a good boy?"
Cody gestured at the pair of us. "See? Handled."
"Cody, if J.D.'s driving me, you don't have a ride," Tanner pointed out.
"I have a truck," I quickly offered. "Big one, too. I can haul all of us there."
"And mine works too," Ty said. "I know we've got some Brazilians here already. A few Aussies. I don't think the rest are showing up until Wednesday night, though."
"So Wednesday," Cody said. "J.D., you are taking Tanner out to a nice dinner. I'm sleeping in the other room. It is going to bea date. A whole date, not some rushing through it shit because you feel guilty either. Jake, Isaac, and Jorge are going to be my drinking buddies, and Ty's going to keep me from throwing drinks in anyone's face, right?"
"Sure am," Ty agreed.
