"I'm not shit," Tanner told those two. "Certainly not some kind of hero."
"He's also trying to go unnoticed," J.D. said. "Pretty sure the uppity ups would be pissed to see his face."
"Yeah, but you got Casey free," Kaleb insisted. "They can't get pissed about that, can they?"
"They can say I'm the reason he died," Tanner pointed out.
"Yep," Jaxon said, pushing to his feet. "I think that's a damned good reason to get out of here while they're still up there." And he pointed toward the ceiling, but I knew he meant the announcer's area at the top of the stadium.
"You two coming to the bar with us?" Kaleb asked J.D.
But he shook his head. "Can't. Doc said no alcohol."
"You, Cody?" Jaxon tried.
I shook my head the same way while working on getting my chaps off. "No offense, but I'm not really in the mood to celebrate."
"Figured we'd have a drink for Casey," Jaxon explained.
"The fucker who wanted her dead?" J.D. asked. "Naw, man. That's not happening. I'm taking my rookie back to the hotel and gonna light her up."
"Oh, me too," Tanner begged.
I shoved the rest of my stuff into my gear bag, then zipped it all up. Standing, I tried to sling it over my shoulder, but Tanner was faster. He took the gear bag, leaving me only the smaller one for my rope, then hooked an arm around my shoulder.
"You also need a long, hot shower and a longer, hotter massage," he said softly.
"Now we're talking," I agreed.
Which made Kaleb laugh. "Don't make J.D. suffer, Tanner. The poor guy's had to rest up for a few weeks now. Pretty sure he misses the buckle bunnies, and you're gonna rub your girl in his face?"
"He'll be too high to care," Tanner promised. "Night, guys."
"Miss you, Tanner. Tell Isaac and Jorge we want them back," Jaxon called as we turned to head out.
I jerked my head, encouraging J.D. to walk beside us, but didn't say anything until we'd made it out into the parking lot. Even then, I still had this uneasy need to look around, making sure no one was following us or close enough to listen in.
"So..." I tried. "I remember you two saying you were going to come out, but you're still pretending like this is all just normal?"
"He had contracts," Tanner reminded me.
"And those contracts have nothing to do with you letting people wonder," I countered. "Or, I dunno, hinting? Not feeling like you need to lie about it?" I reached out, grabbing J.D.'s arm to pull him close enough for me to hug him on my other side. "Or did you change your minds?"
"Tonight is not the night," J.D. pointed out.
I opened my mouth to protest, but Tanner spoke before I could get anything out.
"Cody, if J.D. comes out now, he's risking his entire career. Look at what they did to me."
"Right, but - "
"No," J.D. said, but I couldn't tell which of us he was refuting. "Tanner, I'm not scared of them trying to run me out. Shit, I could skip the rest of the season and still be qualified for finals. If they want to fuck me over, let 'em try. Naw, that's not why I don't wanna say anything."
"Then why?" I asked.
He walked beside me for a moment, staring at the asphalt beneath us. Finally, "I don't wanna kill our chances of getting Tanner back."
"Oh." Because yeah, I could see his point.
