"Does everyone know we're actually riding?" I asked. "I don't know if anyone told them."
"They'll still draw," J.D. assured me. "Just like we will. And if the PBR thinks they can sideline the wolf pack-"
"Deviant Rescue Squad," Tanner corrected. "The other group of guys is still sponsored by Red Bull."
"Wolf pack," J.D. insisted. "And if the PBR doesn't let you work, then we'll strike." Then he smiled. "And Mama is coming. She's gonna pick up Isabella, because she wants to watch you, Cody."
"Nice," I said, deciding I liked having a fan. That it was J.D.'s little sister made it better somehow.
And I had this vision in my head about how things would go when we arrived. Tanner would split off like he always did, but this time he'd kiss the shit out of J.D. first. Then me, just so everyone knew our thing was real.
Yeah, that didn't happen.
We barely stepped into the convention center before the first man spotted him. "Tanner!"
Then came more. Men stopped what they were doing to call out something. Some clapped. Plenty hooted in approval. With so many looking at us, I was pretty sure "subtle" was out of the question - until Tanner cupped my face and kissed me.
"I have to go that way," he told me, gesturing to the other end of the hall.
"We're going this way."
Tanner nodded, then caught J.D.'s bicep. The look those two shared was sweet. Obvious, even. Then Tanner said, "Take care of her, J.D."
"That's your job," J.D. told him. "I corrupt her."
"Yeah, you do." And Tanner simply turned, walking away without looking back.
"Why is that so hot?" I asked J.D. as we headed toward where the line to draw bulls was supposed to be.
"Dunno, but he makes it work," he said, then flashed me a little smile.
Yeah, they werefinallydoing this. Maybe subtly, but they still were, and damn, I was so ready for it, but also dreading it. For all I knew, this could blow up in our faces, and not just with the PBR. Sure, the other riders said it didn't matter, but that had been when it was more of a theory than reality.
Yet we made it to the line and I realized I had another problem. Right up at the front were the two men I had no clue how to face today: Jake and Ty. They were talking like old friends, shuffling forward together, completely unaware we were back here.
"You good?" J.D. asked.
I nodded. "Yep. I'll make sure of it."
"Yeah, but are yougood?" he pressed, waiting until I looked away from them and over to him. "Cody, ya didn't do a damnedthing wrong. You finally acted like the rest of us, and Ty's the one who should be groveling."
"Doesn't feel that way," I admitted.
"Still is," he said, patting my shoulder to move me up as the line shifted again.
We were halfway there when a familiar voice called out, "Cody! Oh, and J.D.!"
Which made Jake turn. He saw J.D. first, and then his eyes jumped to me. A moment later, he offered a soft little smile that made me want to look away, or blush, or something! Thankfully, just when I was sure everyone around us could see me being stupid, Jackson hugged me from the side, draping an arm over my shoulder so he could lean in.
"So?" he asked, looking over at J.D. "Is it true? You're back? Tanner's back? The whole wolf pack is back?"
"All of 'em," J.D. assured him. "And no manhandling my rookie, boy."
"Shit," Jackson said. "That'smymentor!"
"Good," J.D. said, shifting over so Jackson could slide into the line with us.
"So, we're riding?" I asked Jackson.
