I leaned closer to J.D. slightly. "Do it, man. Seriously. You have nothing to lose, they both like the idea, and it means you'll get laid. Besides, we got your back."
So J.D. turned to Tanner. "Babe, can I take you out on Wednesday night? Something nice, maybe even romantic?"
"This time," Tanner told him, "I think I can agree to that."
And the way they looked at each other? Yeah, that was the real deal. They really were done hiding it, and the truth was this looked good on them. Damned good.
Chapter 45
The next day,Max showed up early with contracts - and good ones. He left Tanner to read it over while he talked to Jorge and Isaac, but this meant it was real. This was happening. Tanner, Jorge, and Isaac would be working this weekend!
And Deviant still wanted a deal with J.D. This time, however, he told Max to get the details. And yes, he made it clear he wanted that stuffed animal most of all. The only real problem was the lack of space on J.D.'s gear. Still, he had space on his chaps, and it seemed to be what Deviant wanted most.
Sadly, Max couldn't stay. He had to talk to a few other riders. Apparently, his new business was booming, and while that was great, it meant he didn't get to spend much time with us. Still, this was Max. I knew that if we needed anything, he'd be there in a heartbeat.
But having a few hours to look over the contracts was nice. Tanner hadn't done this before, so he had some questions J.D. and I could answer. Even better, the more J.D. saw, the more impressed he was.
That afternoon, Tanner borrowed J.D.'s truck, saying he had something to do real fast. He wasn't gone long, and I didn'treally think about it until Wednesday evening. That was when he claimed the second bedroom and started getting ready.
"Cody!" he yelled through the suite. "C'mere?"
"Get dressed," I told J.D. "Tonight is your first real date, so impress the man."
He glanced down, smiling in the sweetest way I could imagine, and nodded. "Oh, yeah." Then he looked up. "I also thought, um..." He couldn't hold my gaze. "Maybe you'd be ok using the other room?"
"So you two can be all romantic?" I nodded. "I was planning on it, but I might ask the same later. Tanner wants couple time, and I think this counts."
"And he's right," J.D. said. "We all need to feel special sometimes. I just don't want you to think that means I don't think you're special too, get me?"
"I always get you," I assured him before slipping into the second bedroom.
There, Tanner was standing in nothing but a towel, trying to pick between the brand-new clothes laid out before him. I was confused for a moment - and then remembered how he'd snuck out. Clearly, this was a bigger deal to him than he wanted to admit.
"The lavender shirt," I said as I plopped down on the bed beside his mess.
Because he had a few safe choices, and some country ones, but that shirt? It stood out amongst the rest. It also fit him. The fabric was the shiny kind that made me think it was expensive. The color was a shade of the one he'd made into his signature.
"Yeah," he said, setting it to the side, "but what the fuck goes with lavender?"
"The lighter blue jeans," I told him. "Is this a tie sort of thing?"
"Should it be?"
I leaned back onto my hands and looked him over.
"Quit," he hissed.
"Nope." And I kept inspecting. "Tanner, I'm going to guess that seeing a man dressed up works as well for you as it does for me, right?"
"Shit," he mumbled.
"No, I'm seriously asking!"
He glanced at me quickly, his cheeks getting a little pink. "Yeah. I mean, J.D. in a tie? Fuck. That definitely works for me."
"Well, it works the same way when I think of you in one," I told him even as I got up again. "I'll be right back. This looks like the sort of thing that's going to take a bit, and I need a drink."
"Fridge is stocked with Mike's, I bet," he called back. "Max makes sure of it."
