"When I dumped Ty. That morning, before the event even really started. It was when you took me into that room and talked me down, telling me to put it all in my boots. When you didn't try to talk me out of being hurt, or say it was silly. Instead, you stepped up to help me in the one way I needed most." Her pale eyes jumped between mine. "It just felt like I wasn't alone in the world."
"Never," I swore. "You and me are best friends, Cody. I might not always be able to be by your side, but I will always cheer you on. No matter what."
"Is that why you're doing this in Nashville?"
I grunted because that wasn't really where I wanted this talk to go. "Not exactly. I'm doing this in Nashville because he's not gonna be alone neither. Babe, this shit Tanner's getting? It's the kind that hits a man hard, and I'd much rather they came at me than him."
Which made her huff at me. "But I get to help too! J.D., he's my boyfriend as much as yours, so don't push me out of this."
"You comin' out as polyamorous then?" I taunted.
Her brow creased. "That's a thing to come out about?"
I shrugged. "Could be. Could be that you just stop hiding it. I mean, they'll all say you're his beard otherwise, but if you're tag-teaming both of us? Well, that'd sure clear up a lot of shit too. Just means you're putting your career at risk."
"Don't." Tanner's voice made both of us turn to see him standing there in nothing but a towel.
Cody ran her eyes across his body. Me? Yeah, I had to reach down and make a little adjustment before things got bent the wrong way. Tanner noticed - both of us - and a little smile took over his lips, but that boy of ours just leaned against the doorjamb.
"Cody," he said, glancing quickly at me before giving her his full attention, "if you get pulled into our mess, it could destroy everything you've worked for this year. You're already being punished for being a woman. To be promiscuous as well? Because we all know what they'll really say."
"Slut," I grumbled.
"Don't care," Cody said, stepping back and over so we could all face each other. "See, Dad said something, and I've been thinking about exactly what it means. He keeps reminding me I can do everything you boys can. Well, doesn't that mean you boys can do everything I can? And if I was making out with a girl for my boyfriend, do you think anyone would bitch? No! Hell, isn't that exactly what Wes was getting at last night?"
"I mean, she has a point," I told Tanner.
He tipped his head, proving he heard me, but said, "And I'm not the one stuck in Missouri, claiming riding bulls is my only way out. J.D. isn't the one fighting to prove he deserves respect."
"But he will be," Cody countered. "And you, Tanner? Do you think that just because you're a bullfighter, you don't deserve the same respect we do?Youare the one saving our asses, and from the sounds of it, most of these guys don't care."
"But some do," I reminded her. "And those are the same ones who can make or break us."
"So we fight together," she said.
Tanner just shook his head. "Cody, I'm not going to let you throw away your life-long dream for me. Nor for him! This is the one thing that should have nothing to do with us. It'syourdream, and our job is to get the fuck out of your way."
"And this is yours too!" she shot back. "Besides, why do you two get to stand up for me and it doesn't work the other way around?"
"Because we men think we're big and tough when we're protecting our girl?" I offered.
Tanner chuckled once. "Because we know you're right?"
Cody paused to glance back at the trees standing like shadows under the moonlight. I watched as she licked her lips, then pulled in a deep breath. When she looked back, her chin was just a bit higher.
"And I can't fight to protect the ones I love too?" There was the smallest quaver in her voice, like she might be a bit nervous.
But that word? The way she'd thrown it out there like a dare? Oh, this was definitely my dream girl, yet I couldn't react. Not yet. No, this was really for Tanner, and I knew exactly how much it meant to him.
Pushing himself away from the edge of the door, he stepped closer, not caring that his towel was hanging dangerously low on his hips. Nope, Tanner just closed the distance between them until he could cup Cody's face in both of his hands and bent closer.
But he stopped before his mouth met hers. "I love you too, Cody Lane. And him. I just don't want either of you to suffer for me."
"I'm not," she insisted. "I just changed my mind about what's most important. I mean, is the PBR really a dream if this is howit's run? Or maybe I should start fighting to fix it so I can maybe have it all? Y'all, I was always told I can only love one thing..." And she paused to look between us. "But clearly that's not true, because I really do love you both."
The air slid from Tanner's lungs, and he kissed her so damned hard. She melted into him, but one arm reached out for me. I caught her hand, letting her pull me closer, but it wasn't her neck I kissed. No, it was Tanner's my mouth taunted.
"I love you both," I said between kisses. "And don't either of you ever make me pick."
