Rhaven let her eyes drop, looking me over, then turned to Tanner and did the same to him. "Which one is that?"
I just laughed, deciding I liked this woman a lot more than I'd expected. "Him," I admitted. "Because I'm rich enough to spoil him too."
"Which means J.D.'s being a very good boy," Tanner said.
Fuck if I didn't feel my blood starting to run south at that. Yep, I could get real used to him calling me that. It made me think that even without any riding happening this evening, I was going to end up having a real good night.
Chapter 24
The event startedwith darkness today. The sound of all those high-powered lights switching off made those of us in the warm-up area pause. Then, the announcer started talking about the tragedy this weekend. That was fine, but when he began to talk about bull riders showing respect in their own way, and how the fans would see that tonight?
Yeah, I had a real bad feeling about this.
"Shit," Jake breathed beside me, clearly thinking the same thing. "Get your gear and meet me up at the chutes. I need to make sure our boys are all on the same page for this."
I nodded, wondering what page that was supposed to be. From what I could hear, it sounded like they were trying to make our strike look like some sort of a memorial. How the fuck we were supposed to turn that around?
But I knew how this was going, so I grabbed my helmet, glove, and tape. I had no intention of using it, but if I needed to get on a bull, I'd rather have it beside me than back here and wish I'd carried it. While I was doing that, the announcer shifted to talking about our safety team - and he was playing them up good.
When I made my way toward the chutes, I wasn't the only one headed that way. A blue glow made it clear the big screens were playing something, but most of the lights were still off. I couldn't even see the score board.
Then the announcer said, "And Pastor Marks from Hills Church will give tonight's sermon."
My feet stopped where I was and I bowed my head. Around me, the other guys did the same. Tonight, the prayer was for Casey's memory, the recovery of his family, and the health of all the riders and staff of the PBR. The pastor talked about how we were challenging ourselves to prove our worth to God, and how we should all be lifted up to Him.
When he was finally done, I whispered a soft, "Amen," like everyone else, and started walking again. I made it two whole steps.
"What the fuck are y'all doing tonight?"
The hiss of Austin's breath on the back of my neck made me tense and spin. "I didn't think we were being subtle," I shot back. "The bigger question is why you're not with us."
"Fuck some stupid strike," he said, stepping right into my face.
But I refused to back down. "I thought he was your friend."
"He was. He also knew that riding bulls isn't supposed to be easy." Austin looked me over and sneered, somehow making it clear that was meant to put me down. "My fucking friend is dead, and all you're worried about is if your boyfriend can work?"
"And all you're worried about is getting an easy win," I shot back. "But this sport isn't supposed to be easy, is it?"
With a snarl, he shoved at my shoulders, forcing me to stagger back a step. "I told you to get out or you'd regret it. I made it clear you're not wanted here, and now myfriendgot distracted and paid for it. You killed him, Cody. You're the onefucking this up, because before you showed up, we were all doing just fine."
"You were sitting in the middle of the pack, just like you are now," I reminded him. "Why was that fine back then but not now? Or is it more than you think youdeserveto win because you can stand to piss?"
"Should've been you," he grumbled, glancing over.
Which was when I saw Jackson standing a few feet away, glaring. He hadn't stepped in, but he was ready to if things went sideways, and for some reason, I liked that. It felt like...
Like respect.
"Go risk your own life, Austin," I said. "Leave me out of it. I never asked for, nor do I want, any of your attention. Oh, and if you want to beat me, you'll have to ride harder." I scoffed at him. "You know, like a real man."
"Bitch," he grumbled, shoving past me hard enough to slam his shoulder into mine.
I staggered, turning to let him go past, but I wasn't going to whine about it. Hell, for Austin, that was almost civil. Then again, I had a feeling the only reason he hadn't tried to grease my rope again was because he knew I wouldn't be using it. That idiot likely had gallons of the shit in his truck, just in case he ever got another chance.
"You good?" Jackson asked as he moved to my side.
"I fucking hate him," I grumbled.
