"Was about to head up to the sound stage and make a request," I told him. "I also think this little lady looked like she needed some backup, and in case you missed the memo, we're gentlemen here in the PBR."
"She's not a damned lady!"
"She is today," I said, the words coming out completely without inflection, making it clear that was no longer up for debate.
"His funeral," my father grumbled. "And you? Jake, you'd best be on the back of a bull today."
"Already got my draw," I assured him, neglecting to mention I had no interest in climbing on.
But it was enough to make my father feel like he'd won. So, with a huff of annoyance, Mr. Merrill turned and marched back towards the warm-up area. Behind me, the woman let out a breath that sounded a little too relieved.
"Ma'am?" I asked, turning back to her. "I'm sorry about him. Mr. Merrill isn't exactly the friendly type."
"I'm getting that impression," she said with a little smile. "Jake, hm?"
"Cunningham, ma'am," I agreed. "I also recognize your shirt. I'm assuming you're one of Cody's new sponsors?"
"I am," she said, that smile growing. "Rhaven, from Deviant Games. So, do you have any empty space on your vest, Mr. Cunningham?"
I chuckled. "It's just Jake, ma'am, and not a whole hell of a lot. Got some on my chaps, though. The right sponsor could probably convince me to change things up next year, because I'm not planning on retiring any time soon." I glanced back, makingsure my father had kept walking only to find he was well out of sight. "I have a feeling it'll be easy to tell who might be open to sharing a sponsor with Cody pretty soon. If I was you, I'd snag J.D. Adkins first, though."
"Good to know," she said with a little smirk on her dark lips. "But for the big question, how safe - or dangerous - is it for me back here?"
I hummed, letting her know I really didn't want to answer that. "Depends on how good you are at throwing down, if I'm honest. Most of the guys are fine. It's the handful who aren't that would worry me."
She nodded her head slowly. "Good to know, because I'm not that good at the physical fights."
Which gave me an idea. "How are you with the publicity sort?"
"Oh, I'm good with the media," Rhaven assured me. "Deviant also has a few connections there. Why?"
I shifted a little closer, dropping my voice. "Because right now, the only thing people are hearing about professional bull riding is that a man died this weekend. Now, it's a tragedy and all, but they aren't hearing why. They also aren't hearing how we riders feel about it."
"Now,that'sinteresting," she said.
I nodded. "Yeah. Know what's even more interesting? That girl you sponsored? She's as media savvy as they come. Cody Jennings has a way of hitting the right tone at the right time. She's tough enough - pun intended - but not trying to be a man and pissing people off." And I stopped with a grimace when I realized what I'd just said.
But this woman laughed. "Jake, you're fine. I know what you mean."
"I've just never met a transgendered person before."
But she made a little noise. "It's trans person, transgender woman, or some variant. The word is an adjective, not a verb, so you can't make it past tense."
I rocked my head in something like a nod. "I'm not sure what that means, ma'am."
"No -ed ending," she clarified.
"Gotcha," I said. "But my point was that Cody's good at this."
Her eyes narrowed. "You seem pretty good as well." Somehow, she made it sound like a taunt.
All I could do was duck my head in an attempt to not laugh in her face. "Yeah, and I'm not the guy you want. Ty McBride and Renato Vieria are, though. I also have a feeling they'd be more than willing to give Deviant a shoutout if you can get them a platform."
"Oh, I think I might be able to do more than that," she assured me. "But I have a condition, Jake."
"What's that?"
"If I can pull this off, you step up too."
