"But what would the PBR be without the men who keep our riders safe? After a little delay, we're proud to present..." He dragged it out dramatically. "...the Deviant Rescue Squad! These three men are the real heroes, and check out their new uniforms. Thanks to Deviant Games, now an official sponsor of the PBR, we can be sure they will be right in the middle of the action tonight. Watch as they protect our bullfighters, riskingthemselves against animals that weigh fifteen hundred pounds or more!"
Wait, what? I'd expected the script to be new, but this wasn't how I'd expected it to go.
But the announcer kept going. "Those bright uniforms make them easier to see in the chaos. So for those of you used to seeing their red, yellow, and purple colors, just know these are the same men, but with a whole new look we're thrilled to finally unveil tonight."
Finally? What the actual fuck? Naw, that had gone down on Monday! There was no finally to this. Shit, it had all been pushed through a hell of a lot faster than I'd expected.
"While this change was happening, our alternate bullfighters have done their best to keep the PBR from noticing. But at long last, we are pleased to announce the Deviant Rescue Squad is back at work!"
But as the announcer kept going, I realized what they were trying to do. They wanted to make it sound like the main team had been sidelined for rebranding, not because Tanner had been suspended. Fuck!Thiswas why they hadn't said shit.
They were covering their own asses and trying to make it all go away.
Yeah, well, fuck that. I may have stood up there, half listening as the announcer poured out information about the sport, the sponsors, and everything else, but my mind was spinning. When the national anthem played, I pulled off my hat and held it over my heart, but my eyes were on Tanner over at the side.
Yeah, those rainbow uniforms looked damned good under the lights. The Deviant logo was reflective, making it stand out. The colors? They were blatant enough to make the guys easy to pick out in the middle of shit going down. They were also wearing their normal-colored shoes, so that'd help.
But when I saw Tanner's jaw clench, then Jorge's, I realized they weren't happy about this either. Still, this shit-show was dragging on. A pastor spoke next, offering a prayer, and while normally I'd be into getting some holy protection, today was not the day.
They were fucking with my man. They kept fucking with my woman. This shit was so much fucking bullshit, and I had no goddamned shit left to lose. So, the moment we were released, I realized it was time to burn it all to the fucking ground.
"Tanner!" I yelled the moment the other riders started heading back off the dirt.
"Yeah?" he called, turning to find me in that mess.
I wasn't real happy about this. Fuck, I was fuming as I stormed over to him, but instead of looking worried, a little smile was taking over Tanner's face. It was almost like he could read my mind.
"Show time," I said when I was close enough.
And I'd be damned if he didn't meet me halfway. I couldn't be sure if he knew what I wanted, or maybe he wanted it himself, but we were about to make one hell of a scene. Fuck the PBR. Fuck their weak-ass attempt to cover up suspending my man. Fuck the way they kept screwing over my woman.
Naw, it was time to make a scene where there weren't no one who could say it didn't happen.
My hand caught the side of his neck. His pulled my hat off, and right there in front of God and everyone, we kissed. Our tongues met and swirled. Our chests pressed close enough for me to feel all the padding he was hiding with that rainbow shirt of his.
I was waiting for the lights to go out in some attempt to hide this shit, but it didn't happen. I was listening for something - anything - in the crowd. What I got wasn't exactly whatI'd expected, though. Up there, lost behind too many dramatic lights, my sister called out.
"That's my brother!"
It was enough to make me smile, ruining the kiss. But just as I pulled away, a lean pair of feminine arms draped over me from the side. I looked to see Cody hanging half on me and half on Tanner.
"I am not getting left out of this," she told us.
So Tanner kissed her. Cody's hat bumped up, but I caught it. Then I snagged my own from Tanner's hand, cramming it down on my fucking hat-hair. And maybe their kiss wasn't all rage-filled like mine had been, and Cody didn't try to drag it out, but I had a feeling it got the point across.
"Now watch your backs," Tanner said as he pulled away. He turned to me, meeting my eyes to make it clear he didn't just mean her. "They want their problems to go away. Today, we've become a problem."
"Hence the knife," I told Cody before wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Let's go start shit."
"Be safe!" Cody called to Tanner, but she did let me lead her away.
I dared to glance back. Tanner had already turned to meet up with his guys. In the stands, people were talking, but I couldn't be sure if that was a good or a bad thing. Shit. I should've thought this through better!
"That," Cody said as we headed off the dirt, "was a little dramatic. What happened to waiting until you win?"
"Fuck," I grumbled. "Cody, they were trying real hard to make their mess go away. I just put a big fuckin' spotlight on it."
"Yeah, you did," she agreed. "And on you."
