I just wasn't ready to start hoping yet.
Chapter 19
A plan had been made.Well, two, and it was more like finalizing the crap Jake, Ty, and Renato had started Friday night. When everyone sounded like they were still willing to send the bulls out without riders, and Jake felt like he had a strong enough backing to make it possible for these men to keep going, J.D. said it was time to leave.
At first, I was worried he was hurting. His ribs were still healing up, and while they were mostly back together, he'd been sitting in a hard chair all day long. I couldn't imagine it counted as truly relaxing. But when we made it back to our room, that man headed for the phone and ordered up some massive meals from room service.
That was when Tanner informed me J.D. had been dealing with his concerns by sucking on his vape. In other words, he was stoned. Me? I was exhausted. Not the physical kind, though. This was more emotional, or mental. I couldn't quite tell, and I really didn't want to fret about it.
I just wanted a hot shower, a big meal, and to be tucked between two men all night long.
The next morning started off with a bang, though. My alarm didn't go off. Thankfully, J.D.'s did, but I was now later than Iwanted to be. Jumping up, I scrambled to get my shit together. Clothes had to come first. Then I hurried through brushing my teeth. I was in the process of braiding my hair up when J.D. slipped into the bathroom - and someone knocked at the door.
"I got it!" I told the guys, heading that way.
I also wasn't stupid, so I checked the peephole. On the other side was a face I was pleased to see. Flipping open all the security locks, I pulled the door open to find my Deviant representative standing on the other side.
"Hey, Rhaven!" I greeted her.
She chuckled, then held out something soft looking. It took me a moment to realize it was a stuffed animal - but not exactly cute. This thing was mostly black with quite a bit of pink, and looked like it would give kids nightmares.
"So, Dez wanted me to give this to you," she explained. "Er, one of the owners. Ugly stuffed animals are her thing, and she was thinking about doing some branded merch for our first athlete."
"Me?" I asked, accepting the plush thing Rhaven was holding out.
Then I looked at it. Ok, it was cuter than I'd thought. There was a possessed-looking bull with a little voodoo doll on his back. Oh, and the doll had both a black cowboy hat and pink hair in a braid down her back! That made it even cooler.
"This is amazing," I said, stepping back and inviting Rhaven inside. "Guys! You've got to see this!"
"See what?" J.D. asked, coming around the corner.
Behind me, Rhaven pushed the door closed, then turned - and stopped hard. J.D.'s pants weren't buttoned, but he'd managed to at least zip them. He hadn't gotten around to finding a shirt yet, though.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled, reaching for the door again. "I'll wait in the hall, Cody."
J.D. just hooked his thumbs in his pockets and lifted his chin. "What, don't like tattoos or something?"
I glanced back to find Rhaven staring at the floor - and her cheeks werebrightpink. "I..." She swallowed hard but didn't lift her eyes. "This..."
"You're fine," I assured her. Then to J.D., I said, "Put on a shirt before you give the woman a heart attack. She probably isn't used to men who run around half naked every chance they get."
"Who's naked?" Tanner asked, making his way out of the bedroom to see. "Oh, hey Rhaven. I think you're blushing."
She immediately shoved both hands over her face. "I am dying over here!"
"I got some Mike's to make it better," Tanner offered. "Or coffee. Depends on how early you start drinking." He was headed to the coffee.
"Coffee," Rhaven said, dropping her hands slowly so she could fan her face. "Sorry."
"If you apologize again," J.D. told her, "I'll get all offended."
"I just didn't mean to... I mean, you're barely dressed, and I'm trying to be professional. Thisismy first time doing this whole representative thing. Usually, Amy handles it, but she..." And Rhaven's mouth snapped closed.
"She's not into cowboys?" I guessed.
"Not at all," Rhaven admitted. "I like the chaps."
"Shit," Tanner said around a laugh as he carried a cup over. "We all like the chaps. You should see J.D. in them, since I get the impression Cody isn't your type."
