Chapter 17
Mr. Merrill was barely out of the room before I turned for my bag to get my phone.
First, I needed to let J.D. and Tanner know it was safe to come back here.
I wasn't winning tonight, so I wouldn't be out there getting the awards.
I also had a funny feeling I needed to stay here until the ceremony was over.
Mr. Merrill sounded like he was looking for any excuse to punish us, and that man would find some fine in his rulebook he could use.
But once the text was sent to my guys, I shifted away a bit, scrolling through my contacts. His threats had me a little worried, but I knew the one man who'd make sure I was covered. Scrolling down, I found Max's contact and dialed, not caring what time it was.
He picked up on the second ring. "Cody, is everything ok?" he answered.
"So, I didn't ride tonight."
"Saw that," he assured me. "I was going to call you tomorrow to find out what's going on. Didn't want to bother you after the event. I know how you bull riders are."
I nodded, not even caring that my rep couldn't see it, and meandered a little further away, seeking some semblance of privacy. "Max, the riders are striking. Ty and Renato convinced most of them to stop riding until we get the regular bullfighters back."
"Not you?" he asked.
I chuckled at that. "No, I actually had nothing to do with this."
"That's not what it looked like on the news." Which meant he'd been watching everything tonight. "You also walked that line nicely, Cody."
"Yeah, but what will my sponsors think about this?" I asked.
"Well," Max said, "Grace called me the moment you were on the news. She's actually the reason I saw it, and she says Under Armour is happy with the placement of their logo. Yeah, it was perfectly visible."
"And Tillman?"
He murmured a noise I couldn't quite make out. "Tillman won't care. I don't think they'd expect anything else. Cody, they sponsored J.D., and he didn't just throw words. Tillman's policy is that any media attention is good for us." And again, he murmured. "But your main sponsor?"
"I thought Tillman was my main," I countered.
"No, Cody," Max said, sounding slightly amused. "Deviant Games now owns more space on you than anyone else. I spoke to one of the co-owners of the company tonight, and she's sending your rep out there to keep an eye on things."
"Shit," I breathed.
"The other way around," he assured me. "Deviant's coming to see the shitshow. This? It's the exact sort of thing they support. Destiny said 'player interaction' and that 'teamwork is overpowered,' but I'm not exactly sure what she means by that. Gamer slang, I think."
"So, Rhaven's coming to North Carolina?" I asked.
"Mhm," he agreed. "And no, she won't get in your way. Do I need to catch a flight in the morning?"
"No," I assured him. "Max, I'm good. I just wasn't sure if I needed to start counting pennies to make sure I have enough money to make it through this strike."
"You're getting paid," Max assured me. "You were there, you were even on the main screen with a very nice close-up, and they have nothing to complain about. Now, if you want to start throwing out your sponsors names in those interviews, and giving them a little credit for having your back?"
"Mike's Hard Drinks too?" I asked.
"I'll get in touch with Troy and check," Max said. "Tillman, Under Armour, and Deviant Games are definites."
"Ok, can you send me Rhaven's number again?" I asked. "I didn't put it in my phone..." And I paused as another concern hit me. "Wait, does this mean she's my main rep? How does that even work, Max?"
"Well..." His normally comforting voice had just gotten a little softer. Worried, almost. "So, the reason I haven't been to the events lately? Cody, Monday morning I intend to give my notice to Tillman."
"What?" I gasped. "No! Max, I need you!"
"And I'm not leaving you," he promised. "J.D.
has been trying to convince me to go independent for a while now.
" And a breathless laugh came across the line.
"Your deal with Deviant Games made it possible, Cody.
My bonus for that? I can finally afford to set up my own company.
I'm getting the business side of this in place, and by Nashville, I will be looking for bull riders to represent as their manager.
Similar to how most sports have someone to handle all the business stuff for them. "
"I'm so in," I told him.
"You need to read the contract first," he warned. "In order to make this work, I'll get a percentage of your sponsorships."
"Don't care, trust you, and I'm in!" I said, feeling even better about this. "Then you'll handle everything for me? Oh, and you know J.D.'s in too, right?"
"I'm actually signing him first," he admitted. "No offense, Cody, but I owe him that."
"But I get to be second," I told him. "Congratulations, Max. Ok, so if I'm covered for all of this, is it ok if I just talk to Rhaven this weekend and give you a little peace and quiet?"
"Sure, but I'll still be here if you need me," he said. "And don't tell J.D. - I was going to call him and let him know myself."
"Ok, I can work with that," I assured him.
"And keep me informed about this mess you bull riders are making. I want to stay ahead of this. J.D. plans to be back in Nashville, so I need to make sure he's covered as well."
"Gotcha," I assured him, and then I got off the phone.
Not surprisingly, Tanner had replied to me while I'd been talking, but I didn't see either him or J.D.
back here yet. Granted, the riders were all gathered up in clumps, clearly having no intention of heading up to watch Eli get his award.
And that many bodies? They made it impossible to see through.
But as I was looking around, I spotted Jake over at the side - watching me.
"What?" I mouthed at him.
He simply smiled, then pushed off his panel and headed toward me. "You coming to the bar tonight?" he asked when he was close enough.
I shook my head. "No. J.D. can't drink, so Tanner and I have been hanging out with him in the evenings. Trust me, it's better than risking him ordering up something he shouldn't have."
"Bullshit," Jake said just as my phone vibrated in my hand.
I looked down to see this message was from J.D.
J.D.:
I'm at your gear. You're not. You'd best not be alone back here.
Cody:
With Jake. I had to call Max and didn't want everyone listening in.
J.D.:
well get back over here, because Ty's filling me in on shit.
I grunted at that, which made Jake give me a confused look. "Ty's telling J.D. what went down," I explained, tipping my head towards where my gear was. "Want to come help me stay out of trouble?"
"Nope," Jake said, "but I do want to talk to J.D., so I'll go with you."
I stuck my tongue out at him as we moved that way. "Corrupting me now?"
"Shit," he said around a laugh. "As if that's possible, Cody. J.D. beat me to it."
"What did I beat you to?" J.D. asked, clearly catching the last bit.
"Corrupting her," Jake said. "And you should come to the bar tonight. If it makes you feel better, I'll have a tea so you're not the only sober fucker there."
But J.D. began to smile. "I'm already high, Jake. But yeah, I think we can do that."
"We can?" I asked.
Behind him, Ty folded his arms over his chest. "Tanner? You ok with this?"
Tanner just reached up to pat Ty's arm. "Easy there, killer. J.D.'s version of 'not drinking' is still a beer or two. He's also being very good because if Doc doesn't say he's fit to ride, he's not riding."
"And we need to talk," Jake told him before looking at Tanner. "All of us. This strike is working. Merrill's pissed, and he's already ranting, which means we hit them hard tonight. The problem is what comes next."
"More of this," I said.
Jake just shook his head. "It's not that easy, Cody. It's also not something we should be talking about here. I do not want anyone..." He glanced over to where Austin and Derek were sitting hunched over by their gear. "... to hear anything they shouldn't."
"But at least they look like their friend died," Ty grumbled. "Or maybe that dick is merely pissed because he got bucked off."
"Dunno, don't care," Tanner said. "I'm also avoiding Mr. Merrill. I have a feeling that if he catches me back here, I won't just be suspended for the rest of the season. I'll get completely fired."
"Yeah," I said. "So, we need to get to the truck."
"I'll cover if Merrill asks for you," Ty assured me.
That caught J.D.'s attention. "Wait, what?"
"We were ordered to stick around," Ty informed him. "Merrill's pissed, and not just a little bit."
J.D. nodded. "Owe you one, Ty."
"Just taking care of my friends," Ty assured him. "You three get out of here."
So we did. Thankfully, J.D. had parked pretty close - and around back because of my warning. Once again, Tanner had the keys, but this time, I aimed for the backseat. My gear went in first, then me, leaving J.D. to climb into the passenger seat - but I had a reason for that.
The moment the truck was moving, I said, "J.D., call Max?"
"Shit," he breathed, hurrying to get his phone. "Sponsors. I didn't even think of that."
"Because you were vaping half the night," Tanner teased.
"Hurting?" I asked.
"Pissed," J.D. corrected. "And not at you, rookie.
At the shit you had to deal with." He unlocked his phone and started swiping at his screen.
"I am real proud of ya for that little show on the gate, though.
Damn, girl. You looked good up there, daring them to call you out. " Then he started pressing buttons.
From the back seat, I could see Max's name on his screen. He'd also put it on speaker, letting us all hear as the phone rang.
"J.D.!" Max answered. "What do you think about our rookie's showing tonight?"
"He didn't see the news," I called out, pitching my voice to carry.
"And you're on speaker," J.D. told him. "But yeah, she did good. How pissed will her new sponsors be?"
"She's fine," Max said. "I also told her I needed to talk to you."
"Yeah?" J.D. asked.
"I'm finally doing it," Max said. "J.D., I will be an independent sports representative before Nashville. I would like to have you as my first client."
"Like, it's happening?" J.D. asked, sounding like he'd just been given the best news. "Yes! Of course, Max. You and me, we're a team, get me? Ain't no way anyone's signing before me!"
"And Cody's next," Max said, but then he paused for a second. "Tanner? Are you there too?"
"I am," Tanner said.
"Good," Max mumbled. "I would really like for you to be my third client."
"Uh..." Tanner glanced over at J.D. "Max, I'm suspended."
"And I would like to represent you officially," Max explained. "In music and modeling, they usually call it a manager. My job will be mediating with the Pbr on your behalf, making sure you're legally covered when you need it, and threatening anyone who, say, tries to suspend you for no reason."
"Then yes," Tanner said. "Yeah, I could really use a rep, Max."
"Then we'll sign contracts when the three of you make it to Nashville," Max said.
"And Tanner? Ask Jorge and Isaac if they're interested as well?
I'm not asking anyone else, but you three have been good to me, and I know Jorge and Isaac are a part of your group, Tanner.
I want to make this work. That it could help my two favorite - current - clients?
Well, here's hoping this ends up as a win-win situation. "
"Oh, I have a feeling they'll be on board," Tanner assured him.
"Good," Max said. "I can email them contracts, but you three? I would prefer to sign them in person."
"Nashville," J.D. said. "We'll be there, Max. And congrats, my man. About fuckin' time you did something for yourself. Also means I can get ya a whole lot of business."
"But my favorites come first," Max said, sounding like he had the biggest smile. "Now go celebrate, you three. Tonight, Cody did something. Might not be what she expected, but she still made everyone notice her. I'll send you the links for the videos once I find them."
"Thanks, Max!" I said.
"Thanks for making my job easy, Cody," he told me. "And stay in front of the cameras all weekend. You're good at it."
"Yeah, she is," J.D. said. "That's why this girl is my rookie. I mean, one of us has to be a media darling, and we all know it ain't me."