Chapter 41
The Deviant team left after that. There were proper handshakes all around, all polite-like, and comments about how the company was excited to be working with the bullfighters.
Rhaven also made a point of telling Cody how she and Braden would be here all week.
Evidently, they had one of the other suites on this floor.
But Max? He stayed.
So did the shirts, because Deviant wanted the guys to wear those tomorrow.
I kinda wanted to see Tanner in one. I had a funny feeling he'd look real good in rainbow, but that was beside the point.
So when we were finally alone again - well, the whole damned herd of us - I jerked my chin over at Max.
"You gonna tell me how you made this happen yet?"
"Sit!" Tanner said, waving the man toward the still-empty loveseat.
Max headed that way, talking as he relaxed into this fancy-ass living room with the rest of us.
"In truth," he said, "a few things aligned the right way.
I was trying to make sure both of your sponsors were aware of the changes I was making.
That meant calling Rhaven to update Deviant.
She was getting some pushback from Donald Merrill and wanted advice.
I mentioned signing the bullfighters so I could work something out for them, she said she had plans there too - "
"And you didn't tell us?" Cody huffed.
Max glanced down, his cherubic smile slipping a bit as he glanced over at the bullfighters. "I didn't want to get anyone's hopes up if it didn't work out."
"But it hasn't worked out yet," Tanner reminded him.
"Naw, but Deviant's willing to play ball," I said. "Babe, that's what Max means. He didn't wanna tell y'all he was going all-out and then them say no. That'd piss off Cody, and Deviant's paying her a lot. Causing a pissing match there?" I shook my head.
"They still want to sign with you too, J.D.," Max pointed out.
I glanced over at Cody. "Don't feel right stealin' my girl's thunder, Max."
She huffed at me. "It's a sponsor, J.D.! You got Tillman for me. Think of this like me getting Deviant for you, except that you could've done it on your own."
"Prolly not." I winked at her. "They want me because I'm all queer and shit."
"Because you're pushing at the right problems," Max corrected. "I can say that because I know at least two other riders they want to sign this week - and hopefully get their logo on before this weekend."
"Oh." Ok, that did sorta change things.
Because if that wasn't just them being nice to me, then I'd be a damned fool to say no.
Since most companies had a set budget for their sponsoring shit, I should prolly hop on that train before it left the station.
Still, I knew my worth. I was the top rider in the Pbr, and a real sweet catch for a company.
I was willing to use that for my boyfriend.
"We'll see how it goes tomorrow," I told Max. "They get Tanner back, then yeah. If not, then fuck 'em."
"I can work with that," Max said.
"If you sign," Tanner countered, "I bet you'll get a stuffed animal."
"Shit," I drawled. "That's what y'all need to be asking for."
"Gonna," Tanner said. "Plan to tell Rhaven it's part of the deal."
But Jorge and Isaac were looking at us like we'd lost our minds. "Stuffed animals?"
"Oh!" Cody said, hopping up to run over to her luggage. "It's cute!"
"I don't need a toy," Isaac said.
I jerked my chin at Jorge. "Bet Aubree'd like one."
Then Cody turned, holding out the little bull and rider.
Even squished from being in her bag, that thing was as cute as I remembered.
It was also just tough enough to not be a kid's toy, would make a damned good souvenir for a cowboy to buy his girl when he dragged her to an event, and the sort of trophy I definitely wanted to start collecting.
"Ok," Isaac said. "We definitely need those. Not sure how they'd make them work for bullfighters, but I'm going to ask."
"But what does this deal really mean?" Jorge asked. "I mean, they'll buy our shirts. Great. They're willing to have our backs. That kicks ass, but we need a paycheck, Max."
"Never mind what happens if the Pbr says no," Isaac muttered.
"Yeah," Tanner said.
"I made sure there's a backup plan," Max promised.
"If the Pbr says no, then Deviant wants to offer thirty thousand to each of you for some commentator stuff.
It seems they have a livestream. It'd be something like three or four video podcasts a year, using your expertise to help promote their involvement in the Pbr.
Basically sitting in a room with microphones on a livestream, so not hard. "
"For thirty grand?" Isaac asked, nodding to show he approved.
"Could still have a job," Jorge said.
"Bullfighting would be better," Tanner pointed out. "Max, I don't like the idea of Cody and J.D. riding with those fuckers working the arena."
"But we won't be riding," Cody countered. "We'll be striking, Tanner. Big, loud, fire-starting type of striking."
But I saw a problem with this everyone else seemed to be missing. "The Pbr don't like to be told what to do. They sure as shit aren't gonna be happy when Tanner and I come out after this."
"Shit, good point," Jorge said.
"So we don't?" Tanner asked. "I mean, these two need jobs."
"We also chose to walk away," Isaac reminded him.
"And Jorge has a wife to worry about," I countered. "Naw, y'all need the work. So, how do we help, Max?"
Max pointed at Tanner. "You give him the power to stop the strike."
"But I didn't start it!" Tanner insisted.
"No," Cody agreed. "You're just the reason for it. So make it clear you'll convince the riders to ride again."
"Try to convince them," I corrected. "Don't make it sound like you did it, but make it real clear you got some pull. They don't."
"And blame Cody," Max said.
"No," Tanner insisted. "I'm not throwing her under the bus."
But Max gave him a devious - but sweet - little smile.
"Tanner, that empowers her. If Cody's got pull with the riders, then fucking with her will hurt the Pbr.
If the riders are on her side, then maybe her scores will get better.
If she's able to stop this strike, then being nice to her helps everyone. "
"There's that," I muttered, realizing Max was right.
"And I'm willing to go full bitch," Cody said.
"Yeah, because the one pullin' the strings ain't the one they're gonna suspect." That made everyone look at me, but I waved them off. "Just trust me on this one. Ty, Renato, and Cody took the spotlight, but they aren't the powerhouse here."
"Jake," Cody realized.
I nodded. "Yeah, and I know why. It's a good why, so you trust that boy, rookie."
"Yes, mentor," she teased, sticking her tongue out at me.
Which was when Isaac lazily lifted a hand. "So I have a question for Max. What happens if this works? For us, I mean?"
"Deviant is offering a payment for each show," Max said.
"This will be on top of the wages the Pbr pays you.
Each of you will get a bonus for saying 'deviant' to the fans.
Doesn't matter if that's in the arena or the cameras.
I'm going to push for that appearance fee to be high enough to pay for flights in and out every weekend.
That way you two can go home if you want.
Well, you too, Tanner. I just didn't think you'd need it. "
"Not any time soon," Tanner said, flashing me a little smile.
"Aww, they're cute," Isaac teased.
"Shit," Max muttered. Then he realized that was out loud and sucked in a breath. "Sorry!"
"Shit," I drawled, mimicking him. "Ain't like none of us cuss at all, Max. Cody's sweet lil' ears might burn off or somethin'."
She giggled right on cue. "Right." Then she looked over at the guys. "And speaking of burning. It's about dinnertime. Have you two eaten yet? Max?"
"I haven't," Max said.
"Can I buy dinner for everyone?" Cody asked. "I'm pretty sure Tanner's dying to catch up, and I'd like to be seen with the most popular men in the Pbr right now."
"There's a nice restaurant upstairs," Max said.
"Room service is an option too," I pointed out.
"Upstairs," Cody decided. "Mostly because I want to buy everyone a drink." Then she looked over at me. "And you are going to hold my hand."
"Me?" I immediately looked at Tanner.
But Cody leaned in to catch my chin, forcing me to look at her. "We're all coming out this weekend, right? Think of this like the warm-up, J.D. I'm with you and him. Let them figure the rest out - if anyone's even here."
"Some are," Max said.
And my girl canted her head a bit, lookin' at me like she'd just thrown down a big ol' dare. I could feel my lips curling, because I liked that. Fuck, I loved it when she got all badass on me. I just didn't wanna step on any toes with Tanner, since it might make shit hard for him.
"Do it," Jorge said.
"Yeah, means we can get our guy back for a bit," Isaac said.
So I nodded, pushing to my feet so I could offer her a hand. "Cody, will you be my date for dinner?"
"Nope," she said, but that smile on her pretty little lips was turning into a grin. "But you can be mine. I'm buying, remember? I'm one of those sorts of girls."
"Rookie, I think I raised ya up right. Will you buy me dinner? I'll even be a good boy."
"Oh-ho!" Isaac crowed, cackling at us.
From the corner of my eye, I could see Max blushing, but he was smiling too, so I figured that meant he didn't mind none. Naw, the thing that made me sure I wasn't fucking this up was that soft expression Tanner was giving us. The one that looked a whole lot like he was proud.
So Cody slapped her hand in mine, letting me lift her to her feet. "I prefer you when you're bad." Then she reached out for Tanner. "You're the good one."
"Sugar, spice, and everything nice," Tanner said with a wink.
"Tanner, you aren't that nice," Jorge told him.
"Naw, I'm spice," I said. "He's sugar. Cody? She's everything nice."
"So what am I?" Jorge asked, lifting a brow in a taunt.
"The rescue squad," Max said as he rocked out of his own chair. "Pretty sure most bull riders call that their savior."
"Oh, I like it," Isaac said. "And I'm getting a few beers, Cody. Nothing too hard, but a tiny little celebration."
"Not until the deal is done," Tanner warned.
Jorge scoffed at that. "This celebration is for getting the team together. Tomorrow's will be for getting back on the dirt."
"And you will get back on the dirt," I told them.
Because we needed these guys back. I was pretty sure Max wasn't giving himself enough credit with this, but I would.
Hell, I'd give Rhaven plenty too. Even that Chance guy could have some.
Fuck, I'd throw all the credit out there if it meant I didn't need to be scared shitless to get on another bull.
Never mind letting my girl ride. Not that I could stop her, but I'd worry. Fuck, I'd been worrying, and so had Tanner. But this? If Deviant Games could actually make this work out?
Then I'd put their logo all over my fucking body for free, if that was what it took.
Hell, just on principle, I'd give 'em half price!
Let them spend their money on Cody. Let them get the bragging rights of claiming me too.
I didn't fucking care about any of that shit.
What mattered right now was making this work.
And I was not gonna say how scared I was that Donald Merrill would fuck it all up.
Shit, I needed to talk to Jake too. Sadly, I had a feeling he wouldn't be able to help none with this.
Nope, it was all on the men with the money.
And Max. Couldn't forget him, because he sure as shit hadn't forgotten us.