"There's that," I agreed. "J.D. and Cody will be riding, though. Austin and Derek too, but they're the enemy."
"Mm, so stupid music for them. Gotcha."
"I honestly don't know about Eli," I admitted. "He didn't ride yesterday, but he is not on our side."
"But everyone else is?" Clay asked.
I nodded slowly. "Yeah, including Deviant. Think of this as your heads-up that he's going to be pissed today."
"He's already pissed," Clay informed me. "He had one hell of a rant up here about how he gave you what you want, but you're still fucking him over. And he's taking it personally, Jake. Just know that the harder you push, the harder he's going to push back."
"Yeah, but J.D. was given a twenty-three for a rider score."
"And he was pissed, and I quote, 'that they were too obvious.'" My brother lifted a brow. "Jake, that means he's slipping. He's so mad, he's forgetting he can't be doing this."
"He also thinks he can't be replaced," I pointed out. "Well, too bad for him, the PBR is bigger than any one of us - includinghim. Right now, all he's doing is making sure he goes down as a mistake. If you let him know that..."
"And how is that going to go, Jake?" he shot back. "Dad wants to know if I'm on y'all's side? He starts wondering about how often you - and pretty much only you - asks for music?"
"Yeah..." I paused, sucking at my teeth, then decided to just get this out there. "Clay, he cheated on your mother. That happened, and it wasn't my fault, but I'm tired of trying to dodge that man. He's made it clear I'll never be accepted by him, so maybe you need to let your mother know?"
"Not happening," Clay said. "Fuck, how do I even tell her that?"
"Gently?" I offered, because it was all I had.
"Or maybe it's best to pretend like I had no clue," he said. "Play it off like he blindsided me, too. Then it's between them."
I murmured, aware he had a good point. "Yeah, there's that. I just feel bad for her. Hell, I know how my mom reacted when I found out he'd been married back then. Damn, she was pissed. Mostly at herself, I think. Still, she deserved to know, and so does your mom.Theydidn't do anything wrong, and for all we know, he's still doing the same shit when he's out of sight."
"Shit," Clay said. "Yeah, I can't rule that out. Considering he's always 'busy' after-hours? I mean, could be dealing with the shit y'all are starting. Could be sticking his dick where it doesn't belong. We have a lot of women his age come to these things."
"Yep," I said, rocking to my feet. "So just consider it, ok? Because I'm not going to keep my mouth closed about this. He thinks he's put me in my place, but this is going to come out. And when it does, your mom's the one who's going to end up hurt in the end."
"You know," Clay said before I could walk away. "If this does come out, means I won't have any reason to pretend I don't know you."
"Well, I'll buy you a drink at our bar any time you get up the balls to come play with the cowboys," I promised. "Get us some good tunes for today, Clay. We want to make it clear this is a fight."
"On it." And he turned back to his soundboard.
Which meant all I had left was to draw my bull. I checked the time on my phone, surprised to find I'd blown most of my extra time already. The check-in should be open, so I headed that way. I didn't really give a shit what bull I ended up with, since I wouldn't be staying on it, but a piece of me hoped Cody would get Speed Bump. The way she'd been riding lately? Yeah, she'd end up winning the big money.
The line was already decently long when I got there, but that wasn't what surprised me. It was the woman standing at the front of it already. Like always, she wore black, but today her shirt's logo was blue and green, the company's official colors. And when she turned to the window with the next rider, I saw the text on the back.
You don't need to break the rules. Bending them is fine.
It was big enough to be read, bold enough to stand out, and colored so it looked like windows with their voodoo doll on the inside. Yeah, that was more than a mere statement. It looked like a damned declaration, and I was here for it.
One by one, she paid the fines for everyone who checked in. Each cowboy thanked her. Some shook her hand. Plenty looked a little awkward, but yeah, that made sense. Still, they were trying, and my brother had a point. Our demographic didn't exactly have the best reputation for accepting new things.
Soon enough, it was my turn.
"Morning, Rhaven," I said as I passed my PBR card to the woman working on the other side.
"I had fun last night," she said, sliding over her card. Then to the woman, "I know he has a fine too."
"He does," the woman said. "Ok, ten thousand for that, and let me get you a bull, Jake."
"Thanks, Patty," I said. "How are the grandkids?"
