"And I'll get the next one," I said.
"Guys!" Cody said around a laugh. "I'm making enough to pay my own fines now." And she patted her vest, right over an Under Armour patch. "Blazing trails and all that. Granted, I'm starting to think the whole 'unbecoming' thing applies differently to me than everyone else."
"Don't get mouthy with me, young lady," Mr. Merrill snapped. Then, before she could reply, he turned to look at the rest of us. "I want all of you to be prepared for the increased media attention. Yes, Casey Davis succumbed to his injuries last night. His family has been notified, but the local news is aware of the incident. Do not be surprised if they want to ask you about it. However, I'd like all of you to remember that his family might see your interviews, so please be respectful."
And Jake lifted a finger at Cody. The gesture was clear, he wanted her to wait, but what confused me was that she did. I also noticed when those two locked eyes and something was shared between them. I didn't know what, but in the pit of my stomach, that old feeling began to rise up again: jealousy.
I pushed it back down as hard as I could. So she'd noticed Jake, had she? Of course she had. He was proving himself to be a damned good man, and as much as I wanted to hate him for that, I couldn't. I also had a feeling he'd be real good to her.
But Mr. Merrill wasn't done. "With the increased media attention, your sponsors will expect you to mention their names. Now, let's all remember that tonight, we're riding in Casey's honor, and let's show the world why he loved this sport so much."
Men murmured at that, but there wasn't the sort of cheer Mr. Merrill seemed to have been hoping for. Instead, he gave Cody one more warning look, then stormed off the same way he'd come. Across the room, one of the Brazilians grumbled to hisbuddy in Portuguese. I didn't speak the language, but I could still tell he was cursing the man out.
"I just have one question," Cody said. "If we're not riding, then we're not coming out of the arena."
"Correct," I said.
So she looked at Jake. "So how do we talk to the press?"
Her words rocked him enough that Jake leaned back. "Fuck!" he said.
"Ropes," I told her. "If we're sending our gear out, then we'll have to collect it. Even if the arena stewards bring 'em to the gates, well, that puts us down there."
"And a strike will make them ask more questions," she said, looking to Jake again.
Ok, I really hated that. I had a feeling it meant I needed to look at why, but not right now. I was going to make this mess work out; I could worry about my stupid reactions later. Hopefully when I was alone, but definitely before I did something else stupid.
"Cody, what are you planning?" I asked.
She reached up to pat the middle of my chest. "A strike only works if we have demands, Ty. Someone has to tell them we're not riding until the real bullfighters are back. Someone has to make it clear Casey died because of incompetence."
"But then Casey's family could sue..." I let the words trail off. "Fuck, I'm an idiot."
"Nope," she assured me. "You're keeping up, Ty. Even if his family isn't listening, I have a feeling his attorney will go back through everything. If we say enough to put pressure on the PBR? Well, what's the harm?"
"Actually, a lot," Jake said, tossing cold water on the idea. "Cody, if the PBR has to choose between 'it was a tragic accident' and 'we made a mistake?' One of those means they'll pay out. The other is called plausible deniability."
"Shit," she breathed.
"So how do we walk this line?" I asked Jake, since he seemed to be the one in the know.
"We don't saywhythe bullfighters are out," Jake told us. "We just say we don't feel safeanymore,and that we want them back. We will not ride until the PBR gives us the safety team we deserve."
"I like it," Cody said.
"Same," I agreed. "It also means we need to get all of these guys on the same page, because reporters will shove a mic into their faces when they're least expecting it."
"I can help!" Cody said. "I'll talk to Jackson and his friends."
I just pointed. "Over there. I'll keep an eye on your gear."
"Thanks!" she said before hurrying off.
But Jake was giving me a sly look. "What are you doing?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Not me this time." And I tipped my brow toward him. "What are you doing with her, Jake?"
"Friends."
