Behind him, Ty folded his arms over his chest. "Tanner? You ok with this?"
Tanner just reached up to pat Ty's arm. "Easy there, killer. J.D.'s version of 'not drinking' is still a beer or two. He's alsobeingverygood because if Doc doesn't say he's fit to ride, he's not riding."
"And we need to talk," Jake told him before looking at Tanner. "All of us. This strike is working. Merrill's pissed, and he's already ranting, which means we hit them hard tonight. The problem is what comes next."
"More of this," I said.
Jake just shook his head. "It's not that easy, Cody. It's also not something we should be talking about here. I do not want anyone..." He glanced over to where Austin and Derek were sitting hunched over by their gear. "... to hear anything they shouldn't."
"But at least they look like their friend died," Ty grumbled. "Or maybe that dick is merely pissed because he got bucked off."
"Dunno, don't care," Tanner said. "I'm also avoiding Mr. Merrill. I have a feeling that if he catches me back here, I won't just be suspended for the rest of the season. I'll get completely fired."
"Yeah," I said. "So, we need to get to the truck."
"I'll cover if Merrill asks for you," Ty assured me.
That caught J.D.'s attention. "Wait, what?"
"We were ordered to stick around," Ty informed him. "Merrill's pissed, and not just a little bit."
J.D. nodded. "Owe you one, Ty."
"Just taking care of my friends," Ty assured him. "You three get out of here."
So we did. Thankfully, J.D. had parked pretty close - and around back because of my warning. Once again, Tanner had the keys, but this time, I aimed for the backseat. My gear went in first, then me, leaving J.D. to climb into the passenger seat - but I had a reason for that.
The moment the truck was moving, I said, "J.D., call Max?"
"Shit," he breathed, hurrying to get his phone. "Sponsors. I didn't even think of that."
"Because you were vaping half the night," Tanner teased.
"Hurting?" I asked.
"Pissed," J.D. corrected. "And not at you, rookie. At the shit you had to deal with." He unlocked his phone and started swiping at his screen. "I am real proud of ya for that little show on the gate, though. Damn, girl. You looked good up there, daring them to call you out." Then he started pressing buttons.
From the back seat, I could see Max's name on his screen. He'd also put it on speaker, letting us all hear as the phone rang.
"J.D.!" Max answered. "What do you think about our rookie's showing tonight?"
"He didn't see the news," I called out, pitching my voice to carry.
"And you're on speaker," J.D. told him. "But yeah, she did good. How pissed will her new sponsors be?"
"She's fine," Max said. "I also told her I needed to talk to you."
"Yeah?" J.D. asked.
"I'm finally doing it," Max said. "J.D., I will be an independent sports representative before Nashville. I would like to have you as my first client."
"Like, it's happening?" J.D. asked, sounding like he'd just been given the best news. "Yes! Of course, Max. You and me, we're a team, get me? Ain't no way anyone's signing before me!"
"And Cody's next," Max said, but then he paused for a second. "Tanner? Are you there too?"
"I am," Tanner said.
"Good," Max mumbled. "I would really like for you to be my third client."
