I scoffed. "I'm a fucking idiot, and I'm pretty sure that's a bald-faced lie."
"It's not," he promised. "I happen to know that woman is off the market. She's very, very taken. I have a feeling you know it too. That's why you didn't want me in their room." And he lifted his chin to meet my eyes. "Theirs, Ty. J.D. told me."
"Yeah? So you're chasing her now?" I asked.
"I'm on her side," he corrected, "and you're starting to act like an idiot."
Which made me hang my head. "Fuck," I muttered. "I was just going to say you should be good to her. She really is that impressive. I also think you'd be goodforher."
"Me?"
I nodded. "Yeah. You. Jake, I fucked up with that woman, and trust me, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. You haven't, so don't let a good thing slip through your fingers. She deserves to live a little."
"Sounds to me like she's doing just fine on that front," he countered.
"And that's not the deal she has." I turned to pull out my rope. "Trust me. She's worth doing something stupid for."
"Or something smart," he said, reaching for his own gear. "And this, Ty? This is a very smart thing you're doing."
I looked over with a smile. "And you're a shitty nemesis."
"Neblesis," he corrected. "That's like all the competition, none of the hate. Some people even call it friends."
"I'll take it," I decided, aware he was never going to let me live that down. "Neblesis it is."
Chapter 13
I talkedto Jackson about the line we were going to be walking with the media. He agreed to mention it to the rest of the Canadians. Ty would likely tell Renato, who'd fill in all the Brazilians. Hopefully, Jake would figure out which Americans needed to know, because I had one more thing to do before I could ride.
Lately, since he was sidelined, J.D. had been updating my dad on the events. Supposedly, he sent a text before I got on, and once I was safely out of the arena. But yesterday, that hadn't been good enough. Dad had actually called. We'd been back in the hotel room for a bit by then, but only because he'd waited until after the awards. Still, my old man was worried.
So when I made it back to my bag, I dug around until I found my phone, then sent my father a message. It was a little longer than normal, but I was hoping to set him at ease.
Cody:
Dad, we've got something planned for tonight. No, I'm not going to tell you what, but I think you'll be proud of us. Most of the PBR is on board. It also means I'm going to be safe. Promise.
I was just about to put my phone away when he replied.
Dad:
I don't want you taking any risks out there tonight. From the looks of things, the show's sold out. The pre-game announcers are making a big deal about it on the stream.
Dad:
I also have Gerardo here with me. He says that if you get hurt, we're both showing up and embarrassing the hell out of you.
Cody:
You're safe then. This is something your generation taught us. Think of it like a hat tip to the men who made this a real sport.
Dad:
Ok. I'm still worried. Pretty sure that's a dad thing. Ride good.
I kinda liked how he never told me to win, or score well. He always phrased it in a way that meant he'd be proud of me for the effort, not the award. It was enough to make me smile down at my phone for a moment before putting it away.
Then it was time to get ready. I hung my rope and started warming it up. Ok, so I didn't put in as much effort as I usuallywould've, but neither were the guys around me. I figured this was more like general maintenance. There was just one thing I still had to decide.
