"And Casey's family is suing," Clay added. "Millions, Jake. Cody said enough there's no way we can win. It's going to get settled, and it just might bankrupt the PBR."
"Which," I realized, "fucks Dad's record as president. So that's what he's pissed about?"
"Both things," Clay said. "I mean, he's pissed about his record going to shit, but he blames the changes. The bleeding hearts who don't understand this is a men's sport, that it's not meant to be soft, or easy, you know?"
Which sounded just like Austin. Maybe those two were talking more than I wanted to accept.
"But everything should be ok now, right?" I asked.
Clay shrugged. "I honestly don't know. Dad feels like he was forced to accept this, and you know how he gets. He's pissed that his own side - the other directors - turned on him. And when he gets like this, he lashes out."
"Which means Cody's going to get it."
"Or anyone else who gets in his way," Clay agreed. "So since you're asking for music for her, maybe you should give that woman a heads-up?"
"Yeah," I breathed. "Fuck. I was hoping for a good weekend."
"Then maybe try winning," my brother taunted.
"I would," I said, "but I happen to know J.D. Adkins drew Speed Bump. I also know something else is going to piss Dad off."
"Care to share?"
I chuckled. "Well, let's just say someone's planning on coming out this weekend."
Clay sighed. "Well, fuck."
Chapter 55
Codyand I got stretched out, rosined up our ropes since it had been a while for mine, and went over all of our gear. Twice, I reminded her to put her knife back into her boot, but when Donald Merrill walked through the warm-up area to look us over, that convinced her I wasn't full of shit.
She slipped the blade into her boot, made sure it was clipped on, then started fishing out her gear. That was exactly what I'd been waiting for. While she was distracted with her shit, I found my own, then began strapping it on.
Spurs came first. Those were looking tired enough I'd normally buy another pair, but not this time. I pulled my vest on but didn't close it. Then I lifted my chaps and flipped them out to flare out the leather. The metallic red fringe down the side caught the overhead lights, sparkling just enough to be fancy.
The voodoo doll down by my calves? Yeah, it was as pink as Cody's.
"Oh you got - " She paused, slowly straightening to look at my new sponsor. "J.D., that's pink."
"Yep," I said. "Team Deviant, rookie. Made it clear I wanted to match."
Something about her changed. She didn't shrink into herself, but I swore she ducked her head a bit, and the cutest little smile took over those pretty lips of hers.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"Mhm," I agreed. "Besides, a little pink goes with all my red."
So she furled out her own chaps, then buckled them around her waist. Without even bothering to secure the legs, she moved to stand beside me, hip to hip, and compared the matching logos we now wore.
The little dolls were almost the same distance off the ground. Mine were placed to fit around some other shit I got paid to wear, but it worked out. Max had told me to trust him, and I had. This was the result, and I was convinced I did not deserve that man.
"Now, you gotta get all pretty for this shit?" I asked her. "Mama's here with Isabella. So, you make sure you look the part, Cody."
"Hair's down," she said. "Mascara's on. I'm as good as I'm going to get."
After that, there was nothing but waiting. Jake came and went from beside her. I had a feeling he was making sure all the other riders knew this was finally happening. Me? I just planted my ass against the panel where our ropes hung and waited for the man with a headset to announce we were lining up.
It didn't take long. Cody and I headed that way together. Her hat was down on her head. Her gear was all buckled and zipped up. My vest was still open, but I'd get that when we started moving. Too hot otherwise. But when we reached the midpoint, she paused.
