"No matter what, J.D., today is a good day. We got Tanner back."
"Yeah," I agreed, daring to catch her hand. "Today is a real big 'fuck you' day, and I like those."
"That's my partner," she praised, her voice shifting to something husky and alluring.
Oh, fuck me. Yep, that definitely worked for me. The way I wanted to step into her? But no. Not yet. I was saving this for when everyone was watching.
"Be good," I told her, then tapped the brim of her hat before heading all the way to the back.
And there, Renato was waiting in the number two place. When he saw me, he jerked his chin in greeting.
"You know I'm about to slip down a bit," he said.
"Yep," I agreed. "That bother you?"
"Nope," he said. "Hannah can't hold this kid in there much longer, and the moment she needs me, I'm out of here. Don't care if that's two seconds before I'm about to ride."
"Good," I said. "So which one of these fucks do you think is going to rank up enough to get into second?"
Renato chuckled. "Ty."
"Jake," I told him.
But he scoffed. "Nope. Ty made a bet with a bull rider. If he does better than her, he gets to buy her dinner." Then he turned, giving me his full attention. "And he has every intention of cashing in on that just so he can tell her he's sorry."
"He's done that a time or two," I pointed out.
"Yeah, but he wants to make it clear he means it," Renato assured me. "And he does, J.D. He's trying to grow up."
"Like you did?"
"Well, I had a woman's help," he reminded me. "Makes it a hell of a lot easier. Ty? He's doing this without the promise of a reward at the end, so if I'm not here, help him keep his head out of his ass?"
"Can do," I said just as the lights began to dim out here and the pyrotechnics started going out in the arena.
The announcer started the show off with a bang. Music was playing real loud. Then, finally, the line began to move forward slowly. I waited, listening, until they called Cody's name. When she went out, I heard a girl screaming enthusiastically, her voice carrying over the rest of the crowd.
"That's probably my sister," I said.
Renato chuckled. "Home show?"
"Yep, and I'm gonna win."
"Good."
Then we were close enough to start paying attention. The man with the headphones gestured when the next person should walk out. I could see the spotlight swirling around. Fifth place, fourth, third, second.
And then it was my turn.
"And finally, the top rider in the PBR, J.D. Adkins!" The announcer blared.
As he rambled on about my impressive wins and numerous records, I lifted my hat and gestured around the arena. From the left, I heard that girl again, so turned that way.
"Hola, Mama!" I yelled. "Isabella!"
"J.D.!" people called back.
I couldn't be sure if Mama and Isabella were in that, but it didn't matter. Shoving my hat back on my head, I ran up the ramp to stand in the center of the bull pen as the lights took over, turning the arena into some kind of disco show.
