"And how are you doing, J.D.?" Max asked. "Healed enough to ride?"
"Shit," I said. "Yes, but we ain't riding."
"But if things work out," Max said, "could you?"
"Oh hell yeah."
Which made him chuckle. "Ok. And Cody, how's the elbow?"
"I got cleared by Doc last weekend," she promised. "I mean, so long as I'm still on my right hand. I don't trust my left to hold me on yet, so I won't even try."
"Good, good," Max said. "So, Tanner, when do you think you'll know about the guys?"
"They're typing right now," Tanner said. "I've got them in a group chat." He hummed, clearly reading something. "Isaac wants to know for how long."
"Well, would they wanna stay and watch the show?" Max asked.
"And Jorge wants to know about the room fee," Tanner added.
"That'll be covered," Max promised. "I'd really like to get them into the show, so through Monday of the week after. Say eight days total?"
"Isaac's in," Tanner told him. "Jorge's asking his wife, but she'll agree. In truth, she's probably ready to get him out of her hair by now."
"That's what I was hoping," Max said. "J.D.? I'm going to need you and Cody to sign contracts with me."
"We're planning on it," Cody said. "And I think we have some others for you as well. I know Rhaven with Deviant's looking for more riders to sponsor, so I figured it might work out to have you representing them first, right?"
"Exactly," Max said. "And I've been talking to Rhaven too. She said she's impressed with the strike and wants to come cheer it on. Means she'll be back next weekend."
"Nice!" I said. "I like her, Max. She's almost as good as you. Just needs a little more experience."
"And some backup," Max grumbled. "Sounds like she got a bit of pushback in North Carolina."
"Seriously?" Tanner asked. "Fuck. I'm not surprised, and yet I'm still disappointed."
"And it's exactly what you're facing, Tanner," Max pointed out. "If you two make your relationship public, it won't get any better."
"Don't care," I said.
"Me either," Tanner agreed.
"And you, Cody?" Max asked.
"Oh, I'm ok with whatever they want," she said. "Max, that's not my fight, and I'm used to being called names. So far, the worst they've used is 'girl.'"
"True that," I said, realizing she had a point.
Because slut couldn't hurt her. It simply meant she was appealing. Prude didn't work for a woman riding bulls. Bitch was a given, and it had some power to it - for Cody. Of all the things people could complain about when it came to my rookie, the fact that she wasn't a man was pretty much it. Since she'd already made it clear that wasn't stopping her, she had nothing to fear.
"And Jorge's in," Tanner said. "Aubree wants him gone for the whole week. He's mostly joking, but I think they're going stir crazy at home."
"Good," Max said. "Well, I can tell you I have some minor things that will earn a few bucks. I'm hoping for better news, but that will depend on which way the three of you want to go with this."
"When do you need us there, Max?" I asked.
"Sunday," he said. "Any time after check-in. I'll get there around dinner, give or take. So, five to eight, I'm guessing, unless my flight's delayed."
"We'll be there," I assured him. "I mean, this means we'll miss our second week of resting up, but getting Tanner a deal's worth it."
